Heading to Provence for your hols? If you want to take in the cultural scene while you’re there, then the region’s museums won’t disappoint. We’ve lined up the 5 best museums in Provence with exhibitions ranging from reassuringly arty to refreshingly quirky.
The corkscrew museum in Ménerbes
France wouldn’t be France without the wine, so it should come as no surprise to find a whole museum dedicated to corkscrews! It is located in the centre of the Citadel and boasts a collection of over 1,000 corkscrews of all shapes and sizes. They come from all over the world, some dating back to the 18th century. Many of them are one-of-a-kind which is why it’s worth a visit. And, perhaps the best bit is that you get to taste the vineyard’s wines at the end of the visit.
The Brotte wine museum
Where else would a wine lover expect to find one of the best museums in Provence but Châteauneuf du Pape? This museum is on an estate of the Brotte winery and will introduce you to the Rhone valley and its wines. Find out what goes into winemaking and the history behind the famous name of Châteauneuf du Pape. Naturally, you’ll also get a tasting session at the end of the visit.
The Matisse museum
Next, we move down to the coast to visit the Matisse museum in Nice, where Henri Matisse’s art works are displayed inside a beautiful Genoese building. Opened in 1963, the museum houses the collection that Matisse donated to the town of Nice and includes engravings, sculptures, paintings and some of his personal belongings.
The Granet museum
The Granet in Aix-en-Provence is unarguably one of the most beautiful museums in Provence. Featuring almost 600 paintings, sculptures and archaeological items, it celebrates the French art movement from the 17th to the 20th century. It has 10 of Cezanne’s oil on canvas, 50 works by the artist the museum is named after, François-Marius Granet, and masterpieces by Mondrian and Picasso among others. Sure to be a hit among art lovers.
Maison de la Truffe et du Tricastin
We round up our tour of the best museums in Provence with a gourmet foray into the world of truffles and the local truffle-producing Tricastin region. This museum in Saint-Paul-Trois-Châteaux is a temple to one of Provence’s most revered delicacies: the truffle. An engaging display of exhibitions, items and films will teach you all you ever need to know about this culinary gem. The black Tricastin truffle in particular is one of France’s most treasured terroir products, with 60% of French truffles produced here.
Where to stay to visit the best museums in Provence
If you fancy adding these museums in Provence to your itinerary, then we have a luxury villa that is perfectly located. Divine Provence is an idyllic stone-built property with prestigious facilities including a steam room and private gym. This spacious and beautifully decorated villa has a pool with scenic views and a cottage garden adorned with lavender bushes and shaded nooks.
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