The Pavilion of Vendôme
Situated just a short way away from the city center of Aix-en-Provence, the Pavilion of Vendôme, listed among the most prestigious historical monuments in the world in March 1914, is an exceptional residence that is as old as many eighteenth centuries. It is decorated with a beautiful typically French garden arranged in an architectural way presenting symmetrical appearance.
It is son pleasant to take a stroll in this delightfully maintained and lush public place. The Pavilion of Vendôme was built in 1665, under the instructions of the Duke of Vendôme also known as Louis de Mercoeur, great-grandson of Henri IV.
Majestic cariatids with whimsical and classic looks are erected on the entrance of the house. These last bring this particular touch midway between Paris and Rome.
In 1906, the Pavilion of Vendôme was bought by a wealthy personality, Henri Dobler. Painter at heart, he donated some of his works to the city of Aix-en-Provence in order to make of the residence a museum. The latter was later one of the places full of history that gives a second life to the art of the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries.
However, the Pavilion of Vendôme also knows how to bring out the artistic work of our time. Just like the Tapestries Museum, it constitutes the same entity in the exhibition area. The Pavilion is closely involved in the revolution of new technologies and cooperates continuously with the Aix School of Art in order to crate value for the American digital photo and other digital processes including silver portraits.
If ever there are lack of spaces, the large garden can accommodate the sculptures, such as the pyramidal statue of Jean Amado exhibited on the site in 1997. The Pavilion of Vendôme is renowned for its seductive aspect of the Grand Siècle. It is one of the most popular properties, but also the most expensive of its time.
In the olden days, it was not only used for the residence of Louis Mercoeur, it also protected the passionate love of that latter with Lucrezia Forbin Sollies also known as the "Belle du Canet".
The dominant facade of the entrance presents 3 delightful classical sequences and is decorated with glorious architectural Atlantis, fruit trees and an immense masquerade which, for most visitors, is the spitting portrait of Lady Belle Forbin Solliès.
The Pavilion of Vendôme Gallery puts in place 17th and 18th century representations. It also displays Provencal furniture dating back to the times of Grand Duke Louis Vendôme.