The Hotel de Caumont, Centre d’Art, in Aix’s Quartier Mazarin, has been sold by Culturespaces to 
investment group, Groupama, for 25,4m euros.
Originally built for an aristocratic Provencal family during 1715-1745, the building was until recently the town’s conservatoire. Culturespaces who own 13 sites, including the Carrieres de Lumieres in Les Baux, the Roman theatre at Orange and the arena at Nimes, paid 10m euros for Hotel de Caumont in 2010. They undertook a huge renovation, restoring this monument historique and its gardens to their 18th century splendour. Beginning in 2013, the work was completed for a launch in May 2015.
Groupama who invest in prestigious developments or historical buildings in sought-after locations say that they will maintain the programme of exhibitions.
‘A priori, rien ne change’, is their comment.
Culturespaces reckon to have spent 13m euros on the development so feel they have broken even; but according to La Provence, some are claiming that the town authorities contributed about 1m to ensure the quality of the façade.
There’s lots of details in today’s paper: http://www.laprovence.com/article/edition-aix-pays-daix/4844578/aix-lhotel-de-caumont-vendu-a-un-fonds-dinvestissement.html…though this doesn’t really explain why Culturespaces decided to sell.
This renovation of what was a dilapidated building, closed to public access, has been a great success for Aix. Let’s hope the new owners maintain and build on the established programme of exhibitions, talks, children’s workshops, and events as well as keeping up the high quality of the building and in particular the elegant gardens.
aixcentric 
We had a beautiful evening here, with dinner outside in summer 2017. We were intrigued by the modern fountain in the garden, in memory of Bruni d’entrecasteaux who explored near where we live, in Tasmania, Australia. In Tasmania we have places named: Bruni Island and d’entrecasteaux Channel. I hope the beautiful Hotel Caumont wil still be open to the public. Happy memories.
It’s such a beautiful garden, magicked from a neglected patch of land, and based on the original plans. I love it and hope it will continue as it is under the new owners. Glad you have such happy memories!