Museums and Art Highlights

Explore the diverse cultural landscape of the Aix-en-Provence region through its specialized museums and galleries. The Musée Granet showcases fine arts from the 14th to 20th centuries, while the Camp des Milles Memorial preserves the somber history of a former internment camp. Discover local traditions at the Musée du Calisson, explore industrial heritage at the Hély d'Oissel coal mine, or view the massive insect collection at the Butterfly Museum. From contemporary art at Château La Coste to archaeological finds in Ventabren, these sites offer deep insights into Provençal heritage.

Granet Museum

The Musée Granet is a museum in the quartier Mazarin, Aix-en-Provence, France devoted to painting, sculpture and archeology.

Granet XXème - Collection Planque

Housed in the restored 17th-century Chapel of the White Penitents, this annex of the Musée Granet displays Jean Planque's private collection, including works by Picasso, Braque, and Degas.

Les Milles Camp Memorial

The Camp des Milles was a French internment camp, opened in September 1939, in a former tile factory near the village of Les Milles, part…

Maison de Nostradamus

Located in the 16th-century residence where Nostradamus lived for 20 years, this museum explores the life and prophecies of the famous physician through period scenes and documents.

Château La Coste

Visit the wine cellar and vineyard, enjoy a tasting or admire amazing pieces of art displayed in a gallery here.

Mélik Museum

Situated in the castle, this museum is dedicated to the local artist but more sound names have been exhibited here as well.

Arteum - Museum of Contemporary Art

Recently reopened, this museum displays works of young and emerging artists from the region. Well worth stopping by.

Butterfly Museum

Just wow! This inconspicuous museum has thousands of butterflies and insects from the whole world on display.

La Ferme de Noé

Educational farm and nature space focused on domestic animals and biodiversity within the Mediterranean landscape.

Simiane-Collongue

This tiny village is set in a really scenic landscape. There is an interesting archaeological museum and a picturesque historical core here.

Gardanne Autrefois Museum

This is so interesting! The museum shows how life was like in the 1950s and 1850s. There are many nice details.

Museum of Art and Archaeology Lambesc

Really small museum presenting archaeological finds and traditions from the area. Pop in if you happen to be in the village.

Écomusée de la Forêt

An environmental museum dedicated to the Mediterranean forest, featuring exhibitions on local flora, fauna, and the history of regional forest firefighting.

Ventabren Museum

Despite being so small, this museum presents interesting historical artifacts - finds from the nearby oppidum, for example.

Musée de la Mine Hély d'Oissel

Situated at a former coal mine in Gréasque, this museum preserves the original 1912 headframe and details the history and daily life of Provençal miners.

Musée Provençal des Transports CPPVA

This site preserves regional railway heritage with a collection of vintage locomotives and carriages, including a functional narrow-gauge tourist train.

Musée du Calisson

Dedicated to the traditional almond-shaped confectionery of Aix-en-Provence, this museum showcases the history, ingredients, and industrial production methods of the calisson.