Marseille Provence Airport Crowned by UNESCO’s Prix Versailles 2025 as Europe’s Most Beautiful Terminal

Airports are no longer just gateways — they are becoming destinations of architectural beauty, cultural meaning, and environmental innovation. The Prix Versailles 2025, presented in partnership with UNESCO and the International Union of Architects, celebrates this transformation by naming the World’s Most Beautiful Airports.

This year’s laureates reflect a global appreciation for design in motion — from Asia’s glass domes and America’s timber atriums to France’s sun-filled Mediterranean masterpiece. Among all the airports recognized worldwide, Marseille Provence Airport (LFML) stands as the only European airport to earn a place on the prestigious list, marking a defining moment for French aviation.

For AirWise Executive Flight Support — the fully licensed local supervision partner based at Nice Côte d’Azur Airport (LFMN) with extended coverage at Marseille, Toulon (LFTH), Cannes (LFMD), and Avignon (LFMV) — this honor underscores the growing prestige of the French Riviera and Provence region as a hub for business aviation, culture, and design.

The Vision Behind the Prix Versailles

Founded in 2015, the Prix Versailles celebrates architecture as an instrument of cultural dialogue. Each year, the awards spotlight commercial and public spaces — including airports — that combine beauty, functionality, and sustainability.

According to Secretary General Jérôme Gouadain, “Airports can also be seen as works of art, or at least as things of beauty.” The award aims to transform our perception of air travel, shifting focus from efficiency alone to the emotional and visual experience of movement through space.

The 2025 laureates perfectly embody this philosophy — with six airports across four continents redefining what the modern terminal can be.

Marseille Provence Airport (France) — Europe’s Architectural Jewel

Among this year’s global honorees, Marseille Provence Airport (LFML) shines as Europe’s only winner — a masterpiece that captures the essence of Provence through light, space, and balance.

The terminal’s architecture, designed by Foster + Partners, expands over 22,000 square meters, with 70% recycled steel and a 22-meter glass façade that floods the space with natural light. The structure offers panoramic views of the Mediterranean lagoon to the south and the golden hills of Provence to the north, connecting passengers instantly to the local landscape.

Inside, the minimalist design embraces calm and fluidity — evoking both sustainability and serenity. It’s a terminal that doesn’t shout for attention but invites reflection, redefining the travel experience through transparency, eco-conscious materials, and a profound sense of place.

As the only European airport recognized in the 2025 Prix Versailles list, Marseille symbolizes France’s leadership in sustainable airport architecture and represents a new standard for business aviation terminals across the continent.

Marseille Provence Airport has increasingly established itself as a powerful hub in southern Europe, as evidenced by the latest data showing passenger numbers growing by approximately 1.8% in the first eight months of 2025 to 7.75 million, despite domestic traffic being down 8% during the same period.

 This growth is being driven strongly by international traffic—European destinations rose by +4% and routes to the Maghreb by +6.1%—highlighting LFML’s increasing attractiveness for cross-Mediterranean and intercontinental travel.  Several factors underpin this upward trend: first, major infrastructure investment including a substantial extension designed by Foster + Partners and upgrades to improve passenger flow and comfort.  Second, the strategic location of Marseille, combining the cultural and business appeal of Provence with strong connectivity to Europe, Africa and the Middle East — enabling airlines to open new long-haul routes and tap both tourism and business segments. Third, the airport’s dedicated strategy of “reasoned connectivity”, focusing on high-impact routes that meet regional economic needs and align with sustainable growth objectives.  For business aviation in particular the effect is significant: as the terminal environment improves, international connectivity expands and operations become more efficient, private-jet operators and charter brokers are increasingly looking at LFML as a compelling alternative to the more saturated Côte d’Azur hubs. In short, Marseille’s traffic growth reflects a convergence of upgraded infrastructure, smarter route development, regional ambition and growing global demand—positioning it as a refined gateway for luxury and business aviation across Provence and the Mediterranean basin.

Yantai Penglai International Airport (China) — Inspired by the Mountains

In Shandong Province, Yantai Penglai International Airport’s Terminal 2 brings a poetic interpretation of its natural surroundings. Designed with a sweeping roofline inspired by Kunyu Mountain, the terminal’s E-shaped layout optimizes passenger flow while protecting the landscape it inhabits.

The diamond-patterned dome above the central atrium creates a soft interplay of light and texture, while a gentle, foamy color palette reflects the maritime climate of China’s eastern coast. It’s a striking example of how nature can inform structure, turning air travel into an

aesthetic journey rather than a functional necessity.

Roland Garros Airport (Réunion Island, France) — Tropical Architecture Meets Climate Resilience

Located on France’s Réunion Island in the Indian Ocean, Roland Garros Airport’s new arrivals terminal has earned acclaim for its climate-smart design. Created by AIA Life Designers, the building features a “central canyon” acting as a thermal chimney, enabling natural airflow to cool the interior without heavy mechanical systems.

Constructed largely with local materials and contractors, the terminal blends tropical aesthetics with engineering precision — an embodiment of sustainable design for regions facing increasingly extreme weather. Its selection on the Prix Versailles list celebrates both innovation and local craftsmanship, positioning Roland Garros Airport as a model for island nations balancing beauty and resilience.

Kansai International Airport (Japan) — The Harmony of Minimalism

Built on an artificial island off Osaka, Kansai International Airport has long been regarded as a marvel of engineering. The terminal’s recent 25% expansion adds layers of warmth and tactility through natural wood and stone finishes, soft lighting, and an organic layout that fosters calm and flow.

This design evolution brings the terminal in line with Japan’s architectural philosophy of “shibui” — understated beauty through simplicity. Kansai’s recognition by the Prix Versailles reflects how even large-scale infrastructure can embody restraint, precision, and peace.

Portland International Airport (United States) — A Forest Under a Roof

Portland International Airport’s main terminal is one of the most talked-about transformations in aviation architecture. The building’s mass timber roof, stretching over 36,000 square meters, was sourced entirely from Oregon’s local forests within a 500-kilometer radius.

Designed by ZGF Architects, the terminal evokes a walk in the woods, with light filtering through latticed wooden beams that soften the acoustic and visual environment. The result is a deeply sensory space — calming, human, and connected to its natural origins — making Portland one of the greenest and most beautiful airports in North America.

San Francisco International Airport (United States) — A Terminal That Celebrates Humanity

At the heart of the Prix Versailles list, San Francisco International Airport’s Terminal 1 has become an architectural and cultural landmark. Reimagined by Gensler and Kuth Ranieri, the project achieved a 79% reduction in carbon footprint and 59% reduction in energy use.

Bathed in soft natural light, the terminal unfolds as a tribute to Harvey Milk, the first openly gay man elected to public office in California and a global symbol of inclusion. The terminal also hosts the SFO Museum — the world’s only accredited museum inside an airport — offering exhibitions that reflect the artistic and social identity of the Bay Area.

This blend of environmental ambition, cultural storytelling, and architectural grace explains why SFO remains one of the most admired airports in the world.

AirWise Executive Flight Support — Enhancing the Passenger Journey from Marseille to Nice

While Prix Versailles recognizes airports for their design and symbolism, AirWise Executive Flight Support brings the operational excellence that turns these beautiful terminals into effortless journeys for VIP travelers and flight departments.

Operating with full airside authorization at Nice Côte d’Azur Airport (LFMN) and a growing presence at Marseille Provence (LFML), AirWise offers an unmatched range of services:

• Flight supervision and slot coordination directly integrated with DSNA/CDM and Eurocontrol systems.

• Meet-and-Greet assistance for passengers and crew, ensuring privacy, comfort, and seamless customs facilitation.

• VVIP inflight catering and restaurant pickups through AirWise Concierge, featuring fine dining from renowned Riviera and Monaco establishments.

• Ground handling and permit management for business, cargo, and diplomatic operations.

• Operational flexibility across Cannes (LFMD), Toulon (LFTH), Avignon (LFMV), and Le Castellet (LFMQ), covering the full Riviera network.

Every detail — from the coordination of a CTOT to the presentation of a meal on board — reflects AirWise’s commitment to precision, transparency, and hospitality in alignment with France’s most refined travel standards.

Final Thoughts — Marseille, A New Benchmark for Beauty and Precision

The Prix Versailles 2025 has placed Marseille Provence Airport on the world stage, honoring it as Europe’s only representative among the world’s most beautiful airports. Beyond the architecture, this recognition captures something deeply symbolic: a new era where beauty, sustainability, and efficiency converge.

For business and VIP travelers, Marseille is no longer just a gateway to Provence — it is a destination in itself. And for operators, it represents a unique opportunity to associate their brand with the elegance, environmental awareness, and excellence that define the region.

As AirWise continues to expand its presence in both Marseille (LFML) and Nice (LFMN), the company stands ready to ensure that every arrival and departure from Southern France reflects the same values celebrated by the Prix Versailles: harmony, authenticity, and attention to detail.

Whether supervising a diplomatic flight, managing a luxury charter, or coordinating inflight catering for a VVIP client, AirWise Executive Flight Support transforms architectural prestige into operational perfection — making Marseille and Nice not only the most beautiful gateways in Europe, but also the most reliable and refined.

✉️ For operations, supervision, VIP meet and greet and inflight catering inquiries, please contact fbo.nce@airwiseexecutive.com.