An Art Lover’s Guide to the South of France
The region has long been synonymous with wondrous creativity and design, and this summer’s offerings are particularly stellar
Inspired by the azure Mediterranean, quaint medieval towns, and the distinctive pines of the region, the South of France has long been a magnet for great artists and designers alike. From the late 19th century to the present, artists including Paul Cézanne, Vincent Van Gogh, Pablo Picasso and Henri Matisse called the area home, and the allure continues for contemporary creatives including artists Lee Ufan and Anselm Kiefer whose studio museum offers an immersive look at his practice.
This summer, the exhibitions and installations are particularly strong; from an expansive Barbara Hepworth retrospective at the storied Fondation Maeght in St. Paul-de-Vence, to a celebration of lighting and furniture house, Ralph Pucci, at Château La Coste, there is something for virtually every aesthete throughout the varied region.
Here are just a few of the very best shows, as well a tip or two for design-led stays and the most memorable meals.
1. “Matisse Méditerranée(s)” at Matisse Museum | Nice
A part of the larger Nice Art and Ocean Biennale 2025 curated by Jean-Jacques Aillagon and Hélène Guenin, the show is set in a 17th-century villa on the Cimiez hill above the bustling city center. The works on view—many rarely seen paintings, drawings and objects—illustrate the artist’s love for the sea, the flora and fauna, as well as the surrounding Roman villages. The show is a must for lovers of bold color and plein air painting.
On view through September 8
Where to stay: The Hotel du Couvent is a boutique 88-room escape from the crowds, yet within easy distance of town and swimming in the sea. The 17th-century convent-turned-peaceful escape is a perfect start to any art tour.
2. “Barbara Hepworth: Art and Life,” at Fondation Maeght | St. Paul de Vence
A visit to this haven of modern art—one that has celebrated the work of artists including Pierre Bonnard, Georges Braque, Alexander Calder, Marc Chagall, Diego Giacometti and many more since 1964–is an unparalleled experience. With its stunning series of buildings by Spanish architect Jois Luis Sert from 1964, and a vast campus of sculptures, gardens, and water features, this is the place to immerse yourself in an afternoon of great design under the lofty pines. This summer is a celebration of British artist Barbara Hepworth whose sculptural work was influenced by music, dance, spirituality and politics. Of special note here: Carving (1932) is a sinuous work on view that is a special loan from a private collection and is rarely seen in public.
On view through November 2, 2025
Where to eat and stay: Be sure to book ahead for a meal at La Colombe d’Or, an inn perfectly situated between Nice and the Alpes Maritimes where Matisse, Miró, and Chagall left their art in exchange for rooms and meals. As much a museum as a restaurant–though the Provençal cuisine is excellent—the enormous poolside Calder mobile is a colorful favorite.
For a quiet escape within easy distance to the Fondation Maeght and the Chapel of the Rosary (aka the Matisse Chapel ) in Vence with its brilliant stained-glass windows and vibrant vestments by the artist, book a room at the nearby Chateau Saint Martin. Located on the site of a former Roman fortification and Knights Templar commandery, this magical castle setting offers quiet views of the Riviera and cooling afternoon swims, all surrounded by olive trees and the scents of jasmine and lavender.
3. “Arman: Le Plein,” at Venet Foundation | Le Muy
Founded by artist Bernar Venet who was known for his large-scale steel sculptures, the Venet Foundation is now home to works by artists including Sol LeWitt, Donald Judd and François Morellet—all of whom were friends of Venet during his years spent in New York. Set in the village of Le Muy in the Var countryside, the Foundation features exhibition spaces and an enormous sculpture park as well as a chapel by Frank Stella that all come to life in the summer months.
The latest exhibition is titled “Plein Air” and is dedicated to the work of the French photographer, Arman, who inspired Venet with his “Assemblage” photographs. “The Red Dumpster” figures prominently in this exhibition—one that is a celebration of readymade, found objects in art. For a truly special experience, go on a Thursday night when the grounds are illuminated and the sculptural works come to life in new ways.
(On view through September 30)
Where to stay: Head toward St. Tropez where you’ll find the chic boutique Hotel Lou Pinet, which is a design lover’s dream with bold spaces, wicker accents, a stunning pool and with interiors by architect and Charles Zana and Francois Vieillecroze. Another hideaway—this one perched high above the sparkling sea in nearby Ramatuelle—is La Reserve, a luxurious, modernist escape by architect Jean-Michel Wilmotte and with interiors by Jacques Garcia. Be sure to book a terrace table at two-Michelin starred La Voile for panoramic views and fresh from the sea Provençal preparations.
4. Ralph Pucci, “Pure” at Château La Coste | Provence
A 70th-anniversary celebration for the furniture and lighting brand, “Pure” offers a profusion of models, various artists’s work, and plasterglass—a nod to the brand’s roots in mannequin design—throughout the chateau’s Oscar Niemeyer–designed spaces. The New York studio feel has been reimagined in this special vineyard setting—one surrounded by the large-scale works of Sean Scully, Louise Bourgeois, and more. With soft jazz wafting in the background, the work of artists such as Patrick Naggar, Eric Schmitt, John Koga, Paul Mathieu, and Elizabeth Garouste is on display and encourage the visitor to explore craft in many mediums.
(On view through September 21, 2025)
Where to eat and stay: A stay at Château La Coste offers a sumptuous step back in time with meals at the casual Tadao Ando–designed café or the more substantial Francis Mallmann restaurant both offering stunning views with the best wines from the property’s award-winning vineyards.
5. Arles 2025 Disobedient Images | Les Rencontres d’Arles
Every summer, Arles is transformed into the world’s capital of photography with 30 historical sites reimagined as an enormous art-filled game of wandering and discovery. Among this year’s standouts is “On Country: Photography from Australia,” which delves into the spiritual relationship between Aboriginal people and modernity. Also of note, the Brazil-France 2025 Season which includes “Ancestral Futures”—an exploration of Afro-Brazilian, indigenous, and LGBTQIA+ communities, while “Retratistas do Morro,” explores life in one of Brazil’s most notorious favelas.
(On view through October 9, 2025)
Where to stay: A 16th century palace in the hilltop village of Gordes is home to La Bastide de Gordes is part of the Airelles collection and features exquisite rooms with Pierre Frey fabrics, refreshing pools and lavender fields that add to the perfect Provençal experience.
6. Sterling Ruby at MaMo by Ora Ïto | Marseille
The rooftop deck and former gymnasium of Le Corbusier’s iconic Cité Radieuse has been transformed by the American-Dutch artist’s monumental sculpture, DOUBLE CANDLE (2018), and his enormous 23-foot-wide spray painting, WALL (2017), that contrast with Le Corbusier’s Brutalist “vertical city.” A decade in the making, the exhibition is staged in conjunction with Gagosian and offers a juxtaposition of materials—patinated bronze with raw concrete, diffuse colors that reference 19th century French landscape painters including Paul Cézanne and Vincent van Gogh.
On view through September 28, 2025
Where to stay: At The Cabanon des Goudes, creative partners Camille de Laurens and Marine de Bouchony have transformed former fishermen’s houses, or cabanons de pêcheurs, into a chic cottage on a quiet street in Les Goudes. It is design-led, bright and simple—and it feels very authentic, right down to the mismatched ceramics.
Also worth a detour…
Vertigo-Villa Carmignac | Porquerolles Island
On view until November 2, 2025, this unique art experience on the beautiful island Porquerolles off Hyères melds sea, sun, and perception of the world that surrounds.
Cézanne at Jas de Bouffan-Musée Granet | Aix-en-Provence
Explore Cézanne’s final works and techniques at his historic family estate.
On view through October 12, 2025.
Pierre Soulages at the Musée Fabre | Montpellier
View the works of this acclaimed French artist known for his “outrenoir” style.
On view through January 26, 2026.
Lavoir Vasserot | Saint-Tropez
L’Atelier Unik Art Week runs August 28 through September 3, and showcases the works of French artist ALin. New works by Paul Richard Mason are on view at Exposition du Lavoir Vasserot-Mason Art beginning August 7.
Passing by Paris?
If your travels take you through the City of Light—or you have time to plan a visit this summer—these art-filled highlights are well worth the trip.
Paris 2024 Cauldron | Jardin des Tuileries
For the next three summers, the cauldron created by Mathieu Lehanneur for the Paris Olympics will be on view, until the 2028 Summer Games in Los Angeles. This glowing orb is a beacon of happiness in the city center.
On view annually from June through September
Ernesto Neto | Grand Palais
The artist’s Nosso Barco Tambor Terra installation is an immersion into a fantastical crochet world, inviting guests of all ages to explore and interact with the material.
On view through August 10, 2025
“Rien ne nous y préparait – Tout nous y préparait” (“Nothing could have prepared us – Everything could have prepared us”) | Centre Pompidou
A stunning, provocative collection of photographs by Wolfgang Tillmans.
On view through September 22
David Hockney | Fondation Louis Vuitton
This exuberant retrospective highlights the career of artist David Hockney, from Yorkshire in the English countryside to his time spent in Los Angeles. From works on paper to technicolor paintings to awe-inspiring opera sets, this show is the bestselling sensation of summer.
On view through September 1