South of France airport wins 'most beautiful' prize
The recently completed Terminal 1 of Marseille airport, which opened to the public in June 2024, is named as one of the most beautiful travel hubs in the world.
Explaining the rationale for the prize, a
Prix Versailles spokesperson said
: "Airports have become increasingly important for international trade. As a result, these infrastructures are faced with formidable challenges in terms of flow management and the aircraft themselves.
"But these new facilities can also be seen as works of art, or at the very least, beautiful. We should strive to make them so, given that they have become essential elements of our built environment and landscapes.
"Guided by operational, ecological and aesthetic excellence, these sites also express shared values, a culture, even a tribute to the past, respecting the legacy of previous generations. In the light of global challenges, as expressive images of our contemporary heritage, may they assert themselves as a symbol of dialogue within humanity."
France took second place in the listings with the Aéroport Roland Garros on the French Indian Ocean island of La Réunion. The US took two spots with Portland airport and San Francisco airport Terminal 1 while Japan's Kansai airport in Osaka and China's Yantai Penglai Terminal 2 were also judged the most beautiful.
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Marseille airport has seen a significant expansion in recent years and now serves a wide variety of domestic and international destinations. Along with Nice airport, it is the main arrival point for French Riviera tourism.
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Fears over future of south-west France airport after Ryanair announcement
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