The Pavillon de Vendôme, more seductive of the follies inherited from the Grand Siècle, was built by order of Louis de Mercoeur, Duke of Vendôme, to shelter his passionate love with Lucrèce de Forbin Solliès, known as the Belle du Canet. Surrounded by a sumptuous French garden, the main facade of the pavilion superimposes the three classical orders and is adorned with superb Baroque Atlanteans, garlands of fruit and a mascaron that would have, it is said, the features of the Belle Canet.
The Pavillon de Vendôme was bought in 1906 by an enlightened amateur, Henri Dobler, who restored and remodeled it and bequeathed to his death the building and its collections in the city of Aix-en-Provence to make it a museum that evokes the framework of hotels Aix en Provence of the Grand Siècle.
The collections consist of many portraits of the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries and Provencal furniture. Since 1990, the pavilion of Vendôme presents numerous exhibitions of modern and contemporary art.
From mid-April to mid-October, the Pavillon de Vendôme is open every day except Tuesday from 10h to 12h30 and from 13h30 to 18h.
Garden accessible to the public all the year.
Guided tours of exhibitions by appointment.
Rates: € 3.50. This rate includes the visit of the Pavilion. Free for young people up to 25 years, students, long-term unemployed.
It is advisable to call ahead to ensure the exact time of the visit.
Vendôme Pavilion - 13 rue de la Molle - 32 rue Célony.
Such. : +33 4 42 91 88 75 - Appointment meeting: +33 (0) 4 42 91 88 74 - Email: animationpavillon@mairie-aixenprovence.fr
