Corbusier Church in Firminy, France

When Corbusier, the father of modern architecture, designed a church for Firminy outside of Saint-Etienne, an industrial town in the Rhone Alpes, you could've heard a concrete block fall. His ingenious design which fills the chapel with natural rays of light was not appreciated by the local clergy who cherished their medieval, gothic and renaissance cathedrals.

Today, however, Corbusier's church is part of a larger site that draws hundreds of architecture fans a year. The site includes two Corbusier residential towers, a cultural center, swimming pool and stadium. While you're in Saint Etienne - check out the collection of medieval weapons and vintage bicycles at the Museum of Industry & Design and have lunch al fresco at the Museum of Modern Art. The art is industrial and the museum's restaurant is on par with MOMA.