The Art Deco district: the city's most emblematic district

Art Deco (short for Decorative Arts) is an artistic movement that flourished in the 1920s. In the United States, it reached its peak during the Great Depression. This architectural style was defined by geometric forms (cube, sphere and straight line), which excluded the embellishments, friezes and floral motifs of its predecessor, Art Nouveau. The movement was intended to be modern and luxurious. It was characterised by clean lines, tropical and pastel colours, striped patterns, neon signs, terrazzo floors and paintings and sculptures in the same style.

In 1926, a hurricane ravaged the district and Miami had to rebuild. Taken in hand by Carl Fischer, a businessman in the car industry, the district was given a facelift, opting for a futuristic style: Art Deco. Over time, the buildings were left to decay, wearying new generations who were ready to demolish everything in the 1940s.

However, the Miami Preservation League, set up in 1976, was able to carry out a major renovation of this architectural heritage. As a result, pastel colours continue to invade the houses and are now emblematic.

• The Carlyle (1250 Ocean Dr): designed by architect Richard Kiehnel in the 1930s, this iconic Miami building has been the setting for several films, including Scarface in 1983. It is also 100 metres from the former mansion of fashion designer Gianni Versace. The Carlyle underwent renovations in the mid-2000s but still retains a mystique of the Miami of yesteryear.

• Miami Beach Post Office (1300 Washington Avenue): built in 1937, the Miami Beach Post Office was designed by architect Howard Lovewell Cheney. This curious post office features a round hall topped by a cone-shaped roof with a tiny dome, a glass wall and a stone eagle near the entrance door.

• The Colony Hotel (736 Ocean Dr): this building is one of the best examples of the modern style in Miami. Designed in 1935 by architect Henry Hohauser, the Colony Hotel has a simple but striking design. It has three levels painted in a beautiful turquoise blue and an inverted T-shaped sign bearing the hotel's name, which glows in a shade of blue at night. The hotel also has a basement that houses a card room, recreation room and cloakroom (which was unusual in the 1930s in Florida).

• The McAlpin (140 Ocean Dr): considered the epitome of Miami's iconic Art Deco, the McAlpin is delightfully symmetrical and bursts with turquoise and coral pink colours. It's hard to miss! Designed in 1940, the building is now a 52-room hotel belonging to the Hilton chain.

• Park Central Hotel (640 Ocean Dr): nicknamed the "blue jewel of Miami" because of its azure paint accents and neon lighting, the Park Central is an icon of the Magic City. Open since 1937, it was also designed by Henry Hohauser. With seven floors and 135 rooms, the hotel also boasts a sculpture garden, rooftop terrace, small swimming pool and chic terrazzo flooring.