Wine cellars like masterpieces signed by the greatest names in architecture and estates inviting contemporary art to swarm among their vines... Wine tourism is also a pretext for beautiful artistic discoveries. Here is a small, non-exhaustive selection of art exhibitions in the vineyards, between Bordeaux and the South.
Renowned architects in the Bordeaux region
An immaculate concrete sail planted at the heart of Château Cheval Blanc in Saint-Emilion in the Gironde by Christian de Portzamparc (the architect of the Cité de la Musique in Paris). A few kilometres away, a red wine lamé vat room with a panoramic roof by Jean Nouvel (the architect of the Quai Branly Museum and the Philharmonie de Paris) for Château La Dominique. And then, Sir Norman Foster at Château Margaux, Philippe Starck at Château Les Carmes Haut-Brion... Let it be known that the estates of Bordeaux are pampering their grands crus! Find out more : Château Cheval Blanc
Art games at the Château de Jau
A pioneer in art exhibitions with its contemporary art space created in 1977 in the 700 m² of the former silkworm farm, the Château de Jau, near Perpignan in Roussillon, presents a unique collection every summer. Tapies, César, Arman, Debré and Ben have created and stayed in these places that irresistibly call for contemplation, lulled by the song of the cicadas. For more information: Château de Jau
Sculpture park at the Commanderie de Peyrassol
In Provence, the Commanderie de Peyrassol exhibits in the open air the works of some sixty artists, including Arman, Wim Delvoye and Daniel Buren. They can be discovered at the bend in a path or a vineyard once you have passed through Gavin Tuk's poetic door. As an extension of this sculpture park, the Var estate opened an art gallery in 2016, hosting a permanent collection and temporary exhibitions. More information: Commanderie de Peyrassol
The Château La Coste, an open-air museum
Jean Nouvel designed the winery, Tadao Ando the art centre and Frank Gehry the music room. But that's not all... Near Aix-en-Provence, Château La Coste is an open-air museum where the greatest names in contemporary art are exhibited: Sophie Calle will join Calder, Matisse, Prouvé, West, Othoniel or Louise Bourgeois this summer. One of her giant spiders is floating on the water. Allow 2 hours for the "Art and Architecture" walk (unforgettable at night in summer) through vineyards and olive groves. More info: Château La Coste
The extraordinary garden of the Château d'Arsac
Every year since 1992, the Château d'Arsac in the Medoc region of Bordeaux has acquired a work by a major contemporary artist. The monumental collection (Saint-Phalle, Erró, César, Zhang Dali, Jan Fabre...) called "Le Jardin des Sculptures" can be visited as part of the wine/art theme proposed by the Bordeaux Tourist Office. A stone's throw away, the Winery, an astonishing glass and steel building entirely dedicated to the discovery of wine, also hosts giant sculptures and exhibitions, in addition to a cellar of 1,200 wines. More info: Château d'Arsac
Let's walk in the woods of Château Smith Haut Lafitte
Barry Flanagan's "Hare", the most famous sculpture on the estate of Château Smith Haut Lafitte, has become its emblem, enthroned in the middle of the vines. Twenty minutes from Bordeaux, the Graves Grand Cru Classé also hosts a dozen other works on its property, which is adjacent to the Palace Les Sources de Caudalie. Since the summer of 2017, the woods of the château can be discovered via an artistic journey of the 5 senses, a stroll in communion with nature, sound and visual thanks to installations that are as piquant as they are surprising. More information: Château Smith Haut Lafitte
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By France.fr
The magazine of the destination unravels an unexpected France that revisits tradition and cultivates creativity. A France far beyond what you can imagine…
