Pavillon de Vendome

Historic Building in Aix en Provence

CC BY-SA 4.0 / Bjs

This historic mansion is encircled by exquisite formal French gardens. Commissioned by the Lord Duke of Vendome (1612-1669) and crafted by Pierre Pavillon, the house was completed in 1667. It was intended by the Lord Duke as a romantic retreat for his beloved Lucrece de Forbin Sollies, known as Belle du Canet. Vendome passed away within its walls, after which it was acquired by portrait painter Jean-Baptiste van Loo, who utilized it as his studio. Subsequent to the French Revolution of 1789, the property changed hands and was repurposed as a catholic girls’ boarding school under the ownership of the Bishop of Angouleme. In 1906, the house found its way into the possession of Henri Dobler, a Swiss artist, poet, and art collector, who left the estate to the city of Aix en Provence upon his passing.

Today, the mansion serves as a venue for temporary art exhibitions, while its grounds and gardens remain a prominent attraction. Alongside these exhibitions, visitors can explore a collection of Provencal furniture from the 17th and 18th centuries, as well as portrait paintings.

The Pavillon de Vendome appears in our Complete Guide to Visiting Aix en Provence!

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Visiting Pavillon de Vendome

Hours:

The museum is open every day except Tuesday.

April 15 to October 15 from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and from 1:30 p.m. to 6 p.m.

October 16 to April 14 from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and from 1:30 p.m. to 5 p.m.

Exceptional closure on May 1st.

Price:

€4

Address: Pavillon de Vendôme, Rue de la Molle, Aix-en-Provence, France