Marseille Provence Airport’s Terminal 1 has been named on the 2025 Prix Versailles list for the “World’s Most Beautiful Airports” following the completion of a major restoration and extension project led by Foster + Partners.
The development introduced a 22,000 m² addition, known as the “Cœur” (Heart), designed to unify the terminal’s spaces without expanding its footprint on the ground.
Standing 22 metres high, the terminal’s new central hall features extensive glazing and skylights framed in polished aluminium, offering natural ventilation and maximising daylight throughout the interior. Approximately 70% of the steel used in the construction was recycled, reflecting a focus on material reuse alongside aesthetic considerations.
The project also involved the restoration of 28,000 m² of existing terminal space. Care was taken to maintain continuity with Fernand Pouillon’s original 1960s architecture, as well as Richard Rogers’ extensions from the 1990s.
Travellers now pass through security beneath a timber canopy, with retail and dining areas also designed using wood elements inspired by the boat houses of Marseille’s Old Port. Transparent glass façades provide views in both directions: towards the Provençal hinterland on one side and the maritime lagoon on the other. The overall result is intended to combine functionality, regional references, and a calm, open atmosphere for airport users.
The list of airports recognised by Prix Versailles can be found here.
