17 November 2025

E 1027: The modernist masterpiece by Eileen Gray on the Côte d’Azur

Anyone driving along the coastal road of Roquebrune-Cap-Martin almost overlooks it: a white, crisp volume subtly nestled between rocks and pine trees. Yet Villa E-1027, designed by Eileen Gray between 1926 and 1929, is one of the most important modernist houses in the world. It is a villa admired not only for its architecture, but also for the story of creativity, vision, and controversy that surrounds it.

A house as a total design

Eileen Gray designed E-1027 as a holiday home for herself and architect Jean Badovici. The name is a playful code: E for Eileen, 10 for Jean, 2 for Badovici, and 7 for Gray.

Everything about the villa reflects her philosophy: architecture should support life, not dominate it. She created a light, logical, and highly functional home, with large openings, framed views of the sea, and spaces that flow seamlessly into one another.

Gray designed absolutely everything: from the ingenious adjustable tables to built-in storage, from sunshades to clever ventilation openings. Thanks to this holistic approach, E-1027 is often compared to a modern yacht—compact, efficient, and designed with maximum attention to comfort.

Modernism in dialogue with the Mediterranean

Although the villa is modernist in form — with clean lines, a functional layout, and a rational floor plan — it never feels cold or rigid. Gray took into account the Mediterranean lifestyle and the southern light:

- Large terraces connect indoors and outdoors;
- Light tones reflect the sun;
- Fixed benches and built-in furniture make every corner usable;
- Here, you live with the doors open, in rhythm with the sea.

Le Corbusier and the controversies

The villa’s history took an unexpected turn when Le Corbusier, a friend of Badovici, visited the house. He painted several murals on the white walls — without Gray’s permission. She later called it a “violation” of her design.

This episode marks one of the most famous conflicts in modern architecture: the clash between a pioneering woman and one of the movement’s most influential male figures.

Decline and rebirth

After the Second World War, E-1027 fell into disrepair. It was only in the 2000s that international attention for restoration emerged. Thanks to a long-term project led by the Cap Moderne organization, the villa has now been fully restored — with respect for Gray’s original vision.

Today, E-1027 is open to visitors and has become one of the cultural highlights of the Côte d’Azur. Architects, art lovers, and curious travelers from all over the world come here to find inspiration. For more information: CAP Moderne.

Why E-1027 continues to fascinate

E-1027 is more than an architectural monument. It is a house that tells a story of innovation, of the role of a woman in a discipline dominated by men, and of a place by the sea where time and style blend effortlessly.

Read more about this iconic house in our Tóco magazine: Tóco d’Azur Summer 2025.

At Tóco d’Azur, we love sharing stories like this. Because the Côte d’Azur is not only a place of sun and sea, but also of architecture, history, and a lifestyle unlike anywhere else.