Musée Frédéric-Mistral

About the museum

The Musée Frédéric-Mistral, also called the Museon Frederi Mistral, occupies the house that the Provençal poet (1830–1914), Nobel Prize in Literature in 1904, had built in Maillane in 1876, the year of his marriage. He lived there and wrote a large part of his work there. The house, its garden and outbuildings have been listed as historic monuments since 1930, and its furniture since 1931.

By his will, Mistral left his home and its contents to the commune of Maillane, which was to take possession only after the death of his wife. Marie-Louise Mistral died in 1943, and the house became a museum in 1944, with living rooms still furnished as they were in the poet’s lifetime. The Monuments historiques department restored it between 1992 and 1995.

The collections include portraits, paintings, sculptures and photographs, around 1,200 books that belonged to the poet and some 60,000 letters he received during his life. The visit also includes the Mediterranean garden that Mistral laid out in 1876. A new museum route, a lift and a reception area with a shop and a space for temporary exhibitions complete the house.

Highlights

• The poet’s house with original living rooms
• Mediterranean garden listed as a historic monument, with quotations in French and Provençal
• The poet’s personal library and correspondence
• Portraits, paintings and photographs related to Mistral
• Memorabilia of the 1904 Nobel Prize in Literature

Permanent exhibitions

• Maison-musée de Frédéric Mistral – Visit of the poet’s original living rooms and the museum route on his life, his work and the Félibrige.
• Jardin de Frédéric Mistral – Mediterranean garden listed as a historic monument, planted with southern species and lined with panels bearing the poet’s texts.

Founded

1944

Operated by

Commune de Maillane

Admission & discounts

Free admission for residents of Maillane, museum curators, teachers at all school levels (Pass Éducation), press card holders and tour guides. In 2026, holders of the “Grand Arles Express 2026” package receive the reduced rate. Payment by card, cash or check.

Accessibility

• Partially wheelchair accessible
• Elevator
• Accessible restroom
• Accessible parking: no information
• Service dogs welcome: no information
• Tactile models & exhibits: no information
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

Thanks to the lift, the new route of the permanent and temporary exhibitions and the shop are accessible to visitors with reduced mobility and to strollers. The second floor of the house is not accessible to wheelchairs.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Stroller-friendly

Children’s workshops take place throughout the year in partnership with the municipal library. The route with the lift is accessible with strollers.

Getting there & parking

The museum is at 11 avenue Lamartine in Maillane, in the Alpilles massif.

Amenities & dining

• Museum shop

A shop is integrated into the route and accessible by lift.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit