aixcentric

The sun is due to appear from tomorrow, with temperatures rising as the week progresses…so here’s a suggestion for an interesting outing, about an hour’s drive from Aix.  La Commanderie de Peyrassol is not only a successful Var vineyard producing 500,000 bottles of wine a year, but is a fast-growing contemporary sculpture park.

We visited in February which was a big mistake as it was pretty cold and most of the amenities were closed – the café, restaurant, art gallery all shut – and we were still charged 8 euros to go in!  Despite this, I really liked what I saw and should imagine end May/June is a fabulous time to visit.

Installations appear in unexpected angles of the ancient buildings

It’s different to Chateau Lacoste in that the buildings date from 1204 when the Knights Templar provided a staging post for travellers from the Holy Land.  And most of the modern art-works are grouped here, or close by.  Not quite so much walking.

However, maps are available when you buy your tickets and they give details of all the sculptures that are elsewhere on the domaine if you are up for a walk.

The creator is French businessman Philippe Austruy who has renovated the property and built up the collection.  This includes some of the big names in post war art – Niki de Saint-Phalle, Jean Tinguely, César, Jean Dubuffet, Bernar Venet, amongst others.

There are wine tastings, art tours – you can even stay there in what

L’Age d’Or by Londoner Gavin Turk – – – you have to say the name aloud to get the joke!

look like gorgeous rooms.  The website http://www.peyrassol.com/en/ has details and also menus for the restaurant hopefully open for your visit.

From Easter to mid-October, it’s open daily 10-19hrs. Directions on the website.

If you want to explore a little further afield, there is a restaurant in nearby Flassans, Hotel Domaine du Lac, which has been recommended to me as a good lunch venue – thanks to Barbara for this tip.