Six French schools that are beautiful enough to be art museums

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France is known for the beauty of its classic architecture — it boasts the Arc de Triomphe, the Eiffel Tower and the Louvre, to name just a few examples — so it's easy to overlook the country's impressive array of modern structures.   

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French architecture firm Dominique Coulon et associés specializes in modern designs for hotels, libraries, schools, and recreation centers. The photos below show six of their magnificent primary and secondary schools around France. 

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1. The Josephine Baker group of schools is located in La Courneuve, roughly 5 miles north of the center of Paris.

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Since the primary and secondary schools are separated, their playgrounds were designed separately as well.

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The exteriors feature long, straight lines and angles of varying degrees.

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Inside, the ceilings also appear angular and geometric.

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The classrooms were designed to allow for multiple sources of natural light.

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2. André Malraux’s group of schools in Montpellier have pink paint juxtaposed with industrial cement exteriors.

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Some classrooms are bright and inviting.

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Others use a heavy dose of blue tones.

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And others are very pink.

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3. Pinker still is the Martin Peller group of schools in Reims, 80 miles northeast of Paris.

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The buildings feature slanted lines, much like the Josephine Baker schools in La Courneuve.

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The insides are pink, too.

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There are a few overhead lights in this hallway, but the design maximizes natural light.

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4. This kindergarten building is also in the town of Reims.

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The inside uses sharp angles in a playful style.

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Much like the others, there are plenty of bright colors and natural light.

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5. This school in Saverne (located in the northeast of France) has an oddly shaped brick exterior.

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The inside is also minimalist and angular.

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In some spots, the walls appear to jut in at you.

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And again, natural light comes into the classrooms from all sides.

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6. The Saint Jean group of schools in Strasbourg look like a nursery from "2001: a Space Odyssey."

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These buildings' designs seem to encourage interaction and play.

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Like these small windows along the walls.

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But with all those kids running around, it must be difficult to keep the walls so sparkling white.

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