Musée du Pavillon de Vendôme
City museum of Aix-en-Provence in a 17th-century folly surrounded by a French formal garden, with the decor of an Aix town mansion and contemporary art.
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About the museum
The Pavillon de Vendôme is a 17th-century “folie” built at the request of Louis de Mercœur, Duke of Vendôme, to house his love affair with Lucrèce de Forbin-Solliès, known as la Belle du Canet. It is surrounded by a French formal garden. Its main façade superimposes the three classical orders and is adorned with baroque atlantes, garlands of fruit and a mascaron said to reproduce the features of la Belle du Canet.
In 1906, the pavilion was bought by an art lover, Henri Dobler (1863–1941), who restored and refurnished it. On his death, he bequeathed the building and its collections to the City of Aix-en-Provence, to create a museum evoking the setting of the Aix town mansions of the Grand Siècle.
The museum presents the furniture and art objects of this town-mansion decor. For more than ten years it has also hosted contemporary art exhibitions, inviting artists to create work in dialogue with the place, its architecture and its collections. The garden is open to the public all year round.
Highlights
- Façade with three classical orders and baroque atlantes
- French formal garden, open all year round
- Decor of an Aix town mansion of the Grand Siècle, with furniture from the Dobler collection
- Contemporary art exhibitions in dialogue with the site
- Free puzzle booklet for children
- Operated by
- Ville d'Aix-en-Provence
Admission & discounts
| Adults | €4.50 |
|---|---|
| Children & teens | freefree up to age 25 · Free admission for visitors under 26. |
| Visitors with disabilities | –Free admission with a disability card. |
| Students & apprentices | –Free for young people under 26 and for teachers of the École supérieure d'art d'Aix-en-Provence. |
| Guided tour (in addition to admission, by reservation) | €2 |
Free admission: First Sunday of every month, in all the city's museums
Admission is €4.50 or €6, depending on the current exhibition. Admission is also free for recipients of the RSA and other social benefits, long-term job seekers, members of Icom and Icomos, holders of a press card, licensed tour guides, and members of the Amis des Musées d'Aix association, as well as holders of the City Pass Aix-en-Provence.
Accessibility
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Kids & families
Great for kids & familiesRecommended for ages 7+
| Kids’ admission | free up to age 25 |
|---|
- Family tours & workshops
- Activity booklet, scavenger hunt or kids’ audio guide
“Mes vacances aux musées” programme during school holidays. A free puzzle booklet for children from age 7 is available at reception; it offers anecdotes and games about history, architecture and the collections.
Getting there & parking
The museum has two entrances: 13 rue de la Molle and 32 rue Célony.
Get directionsAmenities & dining
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Events & venue rental
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Plan your visit
| Guided tours | yes |
|---|---|
| Good to know | Guided tours take place only by reservation, by phone or email, through the mediation service of the Aix museums. The “Les musées d'art et d'histoire à l'heure du déjeuner” (art and history museums at lunchtime) sessions are offered on three Fridays a month. |
Museums nearby
Musée du Vieil-Aix
Musée des Tapisseries
Muséum d'histoire naturelle d'Aix-en-Provence
Musée-bibliothèque Paul Arbaud
Musée-atelier de Paul Cézanne
Musée Granet
All 8 museums in Aix-en-Provence All museums in Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur