Fire Strikes Iconic Maison Radieuse in Rezé, Causing Minor Injuries and Evacuation

A fire erupted at the Maison radieuse in Rezé, Loire-Atlantique, on January 2, 2026, causing minor injuries and prompting the evacuation of residents. The blaze broke out on the building's 7th and 8th floors during the late afternoon, leading to a significant emergency response. According to Loire-Atlantique firefighters, approximately 70 fire personnel and 30 vehicles were dispatched to the scene. Using two hoses, they quickly brought the fire under control. Two people sustained light injuries, and around 250 residents were evacuated for safety.

Authorities swiftly established a reception center at the Rezé town hall with civil protection services to accommodate those displaced by the fire. The Maison radieuse is an architecturally significant structure designed by renowned architect Le Corbusier. Constructed between 1953 and 1955, it is the second of five such housing units, consisting of 294 apartments, six internal streets, and a kindergarten on its roof, all set within a six-hectare park area.

This prominent residential complex near Nantes holds considerable cultural value and its evacuation marks a significant event in the community. Emergency services’ rapid containment minimized the risk of more severe harm, and authorities continue to support the affected residents.