UNESCO considers it exceptional among other cities reconstructed after the war due its unity and integrity. It’s commended as “an outstanding post-war example of urban planning and architecture,” which makes innovative use of prefabrication and concrete.

It may not have the instant eye-candy appeal of nearby Rouen, but linger a while and you will come to appreciate its modernist aesthetic, not to mention its status as a potent symbol of post-war rejuvenation.

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