CARMIGNAC FOUNDATION
Island of Porquerolles, Hyères
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The Fondation Carmignac on the island of Porquerolles offers a unique artistic experience in a wild, unspoilt setting! The Villa and its gardens are open from April 27 to November 3.
Located in the heart of the Mediterranean forest of Porquerolles, a true natural setting in the middle of the sea, the Carmignac Foundation dedicated to contemporary art offers an exceptional setting for visitors.
With its 15 hectares of land, including 2,000m2 of exhibition rooms bathed in natural light enhanced by a water ceiling, the place is a true ode to contemporary art.
The garden designed by Louis Benech hosts fifteen sculptures, allowing visitors to discover a perfect symbiosis between art and nature.
All in all, it is an unforgettable experience that plunges art lovers into the heart of the natural beauty of Porquerolles.
Arrival on the island, and at Carmignac
Disembark, only ten minutes from the shore, in the middle of 15 hectares of pine forest on the island of Porquerolles.
Upon arrival, you are greeted by the guardian of tranquility, the Alycastre, the legendary dragon of Miquel Barcelo.
Continue your journey, the park is full of monumental sculptural treasures.
You will come across Nils Udo, the three alchemists with giant heads by Jaume Plensa, and Lolo a giant form with voluptuous curves by Wang Keping.
History of Carmignac
The Villa Carmignac is an emblematic place of contemporary art located in a classified national park.
The site has a rich history. It was a farm before being transformed into a villa by renowned architect Henri Vidal in the 1980s.
Édouard Carmignac fell in love with the villa when he attended the wedding of one of his daughters and imagined making it a place dedicated to the arts.
The project came to life with the collaboration of the Barani studio for the design, then the GMAA agency for the adaptation and extension of the project.
The Villa Carmignac blends perfectly into the landscape and meets all the standards of a museum.
The 2,000 square meters of exhibition space are laid out in the shape of a cross and lit by a water ceiling, letting in natural light.
Visitors will be able to freely admire the works of art in spacious areas surrounded by views of the vineyards.
The building is subtly integrated into the surrounding landscape with a minimal footprint.
Indeed, being located in a classified national park, no additional right of way on the ground is possible.
The whole project consisted in freeing up space under the surface of the ground, without changing the contours of the house or the existing landscape.
The Villa Carmignac is an exceptional place dedicated to contemporary art, with a rich history and a subtle integration into the surrounding landscape.
Visitors will be able to discover first-rate works of art in an enchanting and preserved setting.
Interior of the Villa
Inside the Villa, you will walk barefoot in the middle of a path that is both refined and theatrical.
Pop Art greats such as Warhol, Calder, Lichtenstein, Basquiat or Klein will be within reach (no security cord, no pedestal).
The Foundation's collection includes over 300 works of contemporary art, including paintings, sculptures, installations and photographs.
The Carmignac Foundation's collection is one of the most important collections of contemporary art in Europe.
It comprises more than 300 works of art, including paintings, sculptures, installations, photographs and videos.
The collection is the result of years of passion and commitment on the part of Édouard Carmignac, founder of the Fondation Carmignac.
Works from the Fondation Carmignac collection are regularly exhibited in annual exhibitions held on the island of Porquerolles.
The exhibitions are often based on specific themes, allowing to highlight different facets of the collection.
This collection is a source of inspiration for artists, curators, art critics and art lovers around the world.
At the same time, the Foundation contributes to the promotion of contemporary art and the preservation of culture for future generations.
The artists of the Foundation
The collection includes works by emerging artists as well as renowned artists such as Roy Lichtenstein, Andy Warhol, Jean-Michel Basquiat, Keith Haring, Jeff Koons, Gerhard Richter, Bruce Nauman, as well as contemporary artists from different nationalities and cultural backgrounds.
Discover a selection of artists that you could see:
- AES + F Group
- Miquel Barceló
- Jean-Michel Basquiat
- Sandro Botticelli
- Alexander Calder
- Felix Curto
- Willem De Kooning
- Raoul Dufy
- Urs Fischer
- Bernard Frize
- Jack Goldstein
- Joe Goode
- Keith Haring
- Zhang Huan
- Xiaoliang Huang
- Yves Klein
- Jeff Koons
- Rosemary Laing
- Horst Münch
- Yoshimoto Nara
- Christopher Wool
- Junyong Wu
- Russel Young
What's so special about the ceiling in the center of the Villa Carmignac?
The special feature of the ceiling at the center of Villa Carmignac on the island of Porquerolles is that it consists of a water ceiling.
This unique architectural feature allows natural light to penetrate the interior of the villa, creating a shifting interplay of light and shadow that varies throughout the day.
The effect is accentuated by the reflection of moving water on the ceiling, offering visitors an immersive and soothing experience.
The water ceiling is a central element of the villa's architectural design, reflecting the Fondation Carmignac's commitment to the harmonious integration of art, architecture and the natural environment of Porquerolles.
What is the purpose of the foundation?
The Carmignac Foundation is a philanthropic organization created in 2000 by Édouard Carmignac.
The Foundation aims to promote and support contemporary art.
Each year, it organizes a contemporary art exhibition on the island of Porquerolles, as well as cultural events and artists' residencies.
In addition to its commitment to contemporary art, the Fondation Carmignac is also involved in projects to preserve the environment and biodiversity, particularly on the island of Porquerolles.
The Carmignac Foundation is a private and independent organization, funded by the asset management company Carmignac Gestion.
It is headed by Charles Carmignac, the son of Édouard Carmignac. It is recognized as an institution of public utility in France.
This place was created for the pleasure of sharing what I love with as many people as possible. I prefer the word "share" to "transmit". This is why I like accessible works.
Édouard Carmignac
Schedules
Seasonal schedule for visits
The Villa Carmignac is open from Tuesday to Sunday from April 27 to November 03, 2024.
Opening days:
Open Tuesday to Sunday
Closed Mondays
Opening hours:
April, May, June: 10am - 6pm (last entrance 4pm/16.30pm)
July and August: 10am - 7pm (last entrance 5pm/17.30pm) + nocturne until 10pm on Thursdays (last entrance 8pm/20.30pm)
September, October and November: 10am - 6pm (last entrance 4pm/16.30pm)
Opening hours of the telephone reception
Monday to Friday
From 10am to 1pm and from 2pm to 5pm
Rates
Prices for the self-guided tour + gardens are :
- Adults aged 27 and over: €16
- Youth rate (12-26): €6
- Children under 12: Free
- People with special needs: €11
- Artists: €11
Contacts
04 65 65 25 50
fondation@carmignac.com
https://www.fondationcarmignac.com/fr/
Handicap Accessibility
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Disability contact
Contact for disability advisors
Béatrice GALLYOT, phone: 0621709409 -
Parking
An adapted parking space is located near the entrance to the site, at the Tour Fondue.
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Outdoor access
The path outside is on one level, and an adapted wheelchair is available free of charge.
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Building access
Access to the building is on one level, with an elevator available.
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Reception desk
The reception desk is wheelchair-accessible.
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Interior accessibility
The interior features an elevator for easy access.
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Seating areas
There are numerous seating areas throughout the site.
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Equipment supplied
The museum provides wheelchairs and booster seats.
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Staff with sign language awareness or training
Staff are made aware.
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Special tours
A visit in French Sign Language (LSF) will be offered in 2024.
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Suitable sanitary facilities
Adapted sanitary facilities are available.
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Preferential rates
A special pricing policy is in place, with a reduced rate for people with reduced mobility (PRM) and their companions.