Hidden behind a high wall in the Mazarin district of Aix-en-Provence, the Gallifet art center has been combining contemporary exhibitions and Mediterranean cuisine in a 17th-century mansion since 2010. A discreet address, but one that has become essential for art and food lovers visiting Provence.
A private mansion transformed by a passionate couple
Built in the 17th century by Jean Léon de Léotard before passing by marriage into the hands of the Gallifet family, the hotel now hosts exhibitions organized by Nicolas Mazet, who has been working on transforming this family property into a cultural venue since the summer of 2010. The park retains elements inherited from the history of the house, including a colonnade of ten columns given by Nicolas Mazet's grandparents on the occasion of their wedding, one for each year of union, as well as a fountain adorned with a head of the god Bacchus.
Nicolas Mazet and his partner Kate Davis, who met eight years ago in Lisbon, now welcome visitors together to this place which receives around 40,000 people each year who come to discover the six exhibition rooms and the garden.
Three annual exhibitions and a pop-up restaurant
Each year, the center presents three major exhibitions dedicated to contemporary artists and craftspeople, accompanied by a program of lectures, workshops, and public events. From June to October, the pop-up restaurant Gallifet Kitchen takes over the 500 m² garden in the shade of century-old trees, with a different chef in residence each summer who creates a concise menu, updated according to the harvests and local markets.
La Petite Maison de Gallifet, a boutique adjoining the centre, completes the experience with a selection of works, handcrafted items and limited editions, while access to the art centre remains free for children under 12.
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