We're already dreaming of our next vacation, so here are five places to stay that have been designed by icons of the architectural world. Whether a lesser-known modernist gem, a surprising cabin among the olive trees or a minimalist room in the vineyards, they are all unique experiences.

At the heart of one of Le Corbusier's housing units, in Firminy

Le Corbusier didn't just design Marseille's Cité Radieuse, Firminy is also worth a visit. In fact, it was in this town in the Loire department, not far from Saint-Etienne, that he built his largest architectural complex in Europe.

Located in the Firminy-Vert neighborhood, it includes the Maison de la Culture, a stadium, Saint-Pierre church (completed in 2006), a swimming pool and a housing unit – the fifth to be built in the world. This one embodies a novel spatial arrangement combining the advantages of collective and individual housing. As advocated by the architect, each space is tailored to the needs of modernity, with no frills and furniture reduced to its functional role. Designed to provide maximum natural light, this 130-meter concrete "living machine" stands on stilts and faces west and east, with bay windows that offer sweeping views of the surrounding countryside, gradually encroached upon by urbanization.

You can discover this unique place by visiting a show apartment, providing a taste of the France of the "Trente Glorieuses" ("Thirty Glorious Years," 1945-1975), as well as by staying in the duplex at the top of the unit, which is available for rental and can accommodate up to six guests. Formed by merging two apartments, the 125-square-meter dwelling is no longer fitted out with the original furniture designed by Pierre Guariche, apart from the serving hatch. With simple decor in colors reminiscent of those used by the architect, the walk-through apartment features a living room opening onto two terraces, providing a panoramic view of the Le Corbusier site.

A Memphis residence surrounded by vineyards

When it comes to the Memphis group, we have obviously heard of Ettore Sottsass, an icon of Italian design. Unfortunately, the names of his contemporaries are less well-known. Among them is Italian architect and designer Matteo Thun. He designed the Pergola Residence, an apartment hotel in Lagundo, in Italy's Alto Adige region.

Nestled among vineyards and apple orchards, the building is clad in rubble stone, as if to evoke the terraced walls of the vineyards, and wood, which is abundant in the hotel's 14 suites. They are all south-facing, with large terraces offering panoramic views of the Adige Valley and surrounding mountains. The minimalist setting also features an elegant pergola, beneath which guests are invited to walk barefoot.

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