This historical monument now houses a museum that displays works from the 17th century to the beginning of the 21st century, as well as a remarkable collection of graphic arts. The pavilion was originally a vacation or reception house that rich aristocrats or bourgeois built on the outskirts of large cities. It is said that this house was built for her. At nightfall, she discreetly joined her lover there.
The pavilion was profoundly redesigned in the 18th century, raised by one floor and covered by a tiled roof. Two statues, baroque atlantes which are allegories of dawn and dusk, were sculpted to frame the entrance. The interior, with its gypsum sculptures with garlands, has a very baroque majesty. On his death, he bequeathed the building and its collections to the city of Aix-en-Provence, on condition that the premises be transformed into a museum.
The museum is best known for its extensive graphic arts collection. The setting is reminiscent of the great mansions of the time. It has been faithfully reconstructed thanks to documents that have come down to us from the 17th century.
In its center, a circular fountain adds a touch of movement to the majesty of the place. Since their construction, the gardens have been surrounded by crenelated walls designed to prevent possible incursions by marauders.
Voir cette publication sur Instagram. Practical information Visiting time: about an hour Opening days: the museum is open all year round on a weekly basis, from Wednesday to Monday. The museum is closed on January 1, May 1 and December
