The Domaine Saint-Joseph : exhibition Jean Messagier, l'été continué

For its second edition, Domaine Saint-Joseph – Atelier François Aubrun invites one of the masters of 20th-century abstraction. An itinerant exhibition to discover on the hillside, between the Bibémus quarries and Montagne Sainte-Victoire.

Perched on the preserved heights of Le Tholonet, just ten minutes from Aix-en-Provence, Domaine Saint-Joseph – Atelier François Aubrun is a former Jesuit retreat where the painter François Aubrun lived from 1960 to 2009.

Hidden from view for four centuries, this historical gem now opens its doors as a new exhibition and artists' residency centre. A Villa Medici at the heart of Cézanne's landscapes.

As part of the Aix Biennale, the Domaine presents an exhibition dedicated to Jean Messagier (1920–1999), a major figure in French abstraction, whose work stands alongside those of Olivier Debré, Serge Poliakoff and Pierre Soulages.

Gathering masterpieces from his iconic 1960s period, Jean Messagier, l'été continué immerses visitors in powerful and radiant paintings inspired by nature, creating a dialogue with the work of François Aubrun and the Domaine's many panoramic views.
 

PRACTICAL INFORMATION:

• Non-smoking site.
• Free parking at the entrance to the Domaine.
• Café-restaurant open during exhibition opening hours.
• Bookshop on site.
• Bilingual exhibition (French / English).
• The exhibition route to the Domaine chapel includes a walk of approximately 20 minutes each way along a winding hillside path.
• Suitable footwear is strongly recommended. If you have any concerns about your ability to complete the walk, please contact the organiser before your visit.
• Not suitable for wheelchair users.

OPENING TIME

• From 12 September to 15 November 2026, every Friday, Saturday and Sunday, from 10.00 am to 6.00 pm.
• Last admission at 5.00 pm.

RATES:

• Full price: 11 €
• Concessionary rate : 9 € (Under-18 years old, art school students, artists and creators, disability card holders and their carers, ICOM card holders)
• Free on presentation of valid proof: Children under 5, press card holders, accredited tour guides, members of the Club Saint-Joseph