The Dominican Monastery of La Tourette is Le Corbusier's last major work in Europe.

The atmosphere of the building, inside even more than out, comes from the carefully proportioned floor-to-ceiling glazing used in many of the public areas - the Chapter room and refectory with their commanding west-facing views over the valley, the library, and approach to the church.

The climax of the architectural promenade is the ramp down to the entrance to the church: an austere, concrete corridor but for its unevenly-rhythmic glazing, leading to a stern metal wall, which rotates to give access to the dark, colored glow of the church beyond.

In the church itself, a tall, plain, concrete box is given spiritual life through selective and careful use of natural light and subtly strong color. Daylight is admitted through five different types of opening around the church, several of them sculpted outside, creating distinctive "light cannons." Strong but deep colors within some of the openings give the church a warm and moving glow.

The whole Monastery is set on a steeply sloping bank within its grounds, on a spot chosen by Le Corbusier. Each of the hundred cells has an outward-facing balcony, with the communal areas beneath, and the cloister, unconventionally, running around the roof.