Aix-en-Provence: Caumont - Centre d'Art Niki de Saint Phalle

Located in the Mazarin district, just a few steps from the Cours Mirabeau, Caumont-Centre d'Art has a paved Cour d’Honneur and over 1,000 m² of private gardens. The mansion’s rooms, with their refined décor, recreates the atmosphere and aesthetic characteristics of the 18th century.

The visit of the private mansion immerses you in the refined atmosphere of this exceptional venue, from the cour d'honneur to the gardens, passing through the historic rooms. The carefully furnished and decorated rooms reveal daily life at the time of Pauline, marquise de Caumont, one of the most famous owners of the mansion in the 18th century. The private gardens of the mansion, fully refurbished in the spirit of the site, offer over 1000 m² of peaceful space decorated with fountains, flowerbeds bordered by boxwood, and large vases of flowers.

Open to all forms of art, Caumont-Centre d'Art holds major temporary exhibitions dedicated to the great masters of history of art, from ancient times to the present day.

After visiting the mansion, discover the temporary exhibition which is showcasing the works of Niki de Saint Phalle (1930-2002). The Franco-American artist, who created a powerful, socially committed universe with her work, vibrant with energy and poetry, became a household name with her amazing “Nanas” series (the name is a slang word for women).

This exhibition "Niki de Saint Phalle, le Bestiaire magique" highlights the influence that animals and imaginary creatures had on the artist throughout her life. Through this previously unexplored theme, the exhibition shows how her work, throughout her career, was peopled with a fascinating magical bestiary that mingled symbols, myths, autobiographical accounts and the legacy of Surrealism.

The exhibition retraces Niki de Saint Phalle’s whole career, offering an original interpretation through the prism of her portrayal of animals. The exhibition route is designed to be an initiatory fairy tale, inviting visitors to wander amongst the mischievous creatures before entering an imaginary world where all beings live in magical harmony.