FROM FAIRY MODERNITY TO FEAR OBSOLESCENCE The adaptive future of meta- metropolitan touristic coastal cities Study case of la Grande Motte, France

La Grande Motte is a symbol of renewal for the second generation of French seaside resorts, resulting from the democratisation of leisure with the extension of paid leave, a shift in demographics after the war, and the creation of motorways. The resort was born from a desire of the French Government to adapt the country for mass tourism. The term utopia has never been as close to reality as when the construction of a whole city is given to one man. Jean Balladur is one of only few who can pretend to be the architect of the city, among Le Corbusier and Oscar Niemeyer. La Grande Motte, a park city, is an accomplished testimony to the initiatives of its developers, combining freedom of action, respect for the nature of the place, and the realisation of the ideals of its architect using multiple skills associated and complementary to his own. The success of this vast project led to it being used as a prototype for the development of the Languedoc Roussillon coastline. After it was accepted by users and investors, the project had to wait decades for its recognition as a remarkable site for contemporary architectural heritage. Although La Grande Motte was once a symbol of modernity when it was constructed, it now faces new challenges and must adapt to avoid obsolescence. The city is confronted with a variety of increasingly complex issues driven by shifting social, economic, environmental, and technological factors, including climate change, housing affordability, post-pandemic urban mobility, social inequality, aging infrastructure and population, and economic uncertainty. Like many growing cities, La Grande Motte struggles to address these multifaceted pressures. This thesis aims to identify these challenges and analyses how one of the most modern and innovative coastal towns has evolved into a city, as well as how it navigates the complexities of the 21st century. Having enjoyed its esteemed status as a heritage town of the 20th century, La Grande Motte is now compelled to shift its construction and urban planning paradigm to meet the demands of the next century to avoid obsolescence. Maintaining La Grande Motte’s heritage while facing the demographic and economic expansion of Montpellier appears to be a challenge. Can La Grande Motte once again serve as a prototype for how coastal developments must be adapted to maintain identity and longevity. The objectives are to understand the historical context of the construction ex nihilo of a city Identify what made La Grande Motte unique, from the way it was built and implemented to its architecture and urban strategy and its architect, Jean Balladur Analyse the Current state of the city : from modernity to its difficulty to adapt to new challenges, can La Grande Motte again be considered a prototype in adaptation to meet the needs of modern times? Keywords : La Grande Motte // Jean Balladur //Racine Mission //Seaside resort// Languedoc—Roussillon coastline //Mass Tourism