The Hôtel de Caumont: a museum in an 18th-century town house

The Mazarin district was designed in the 17th century, when Aix-en-Provence was experiencing strong demographic growth. It was therefore necessary to expand the city by creating a luxurious district for the great bourgeois of the time. Organised according to a chequered plan, its heart was the Place des Quatre-Dauphins.

At the beginning of the 18th century, the second President of the city's Court of Auditors wanted to build a private mansion worthy of his position, one that would stand out from the rest. This is how the Hôtel de Réauville, named after its owner, came into being. It is one of the few courtyard and garden residences in the old town of Aix-en-Provence, but François Rolland de Réauville died before the work was finished. The house then passed from hand to hand, until it came into the hands of Pauline de Caumont, from whom it takes its current name: the Hôtel de Caumont.

The Hôtel de Caumont was sold to the city in 1964 and became the Darius Milhaud Conservatory of Music and Dance. In 2010, it was completely renovated according to the original plans, and reopened in 2015 as an art centre. It is still one ofthe most prestigious private hotels in Aix's heritage.

The Hôtel de Caumont is a unique residence in theAix-en-Provence landscape, and is now a listed building. It is entered via the Cour d'Honneur, giving visitors a chance to admire its impressive façade, which blends Parisian and southern influences. As soon as you walk through the door, the entrance hall becomes a showcase for the magnificence of the place: an indoor fountain, statues of Atlantes and an imposing staircase underline the luxury of the hotel.

You can then stroll through the historic salons, such as the music room or Pauline's bedroom, which reflect the nobility of the various owners. Outside, the formal gardens are home to plants typical of gardens of the period. It is here that the terrace of the Café Caumont has been established, where you can enjoy lunch or a pastry in an exceptional setting.

In addition to the permanent collection in its art centre, the Hôtel de Caumont hosts two temporary exhibitions each year featuring major artists. You can find the current programme in the Hôtel de Caumont diary.

At the same time, the hotel's auditorium broadcasts the film Cézanne au Pays d'Aix every day, retracing the life of the painter Paul Cézanne in Provence and elsewhere. Last but not least, the Hôtel de Caumont also hosts conferences, shows and concerts, which regularly complete its programme.

With its unique design in Aix-en-Provence, its preserved gardens and lounges that allow you to step back in time, and its high-quality temporary exhibitions, the Hôtel de Caumont is a not-to-be-missed stopover on your next trip to Provence. Allow around two hours for the visit, but we recommend you allow a little more time to enjoy the Café Caumont.

🚌 How do I get to the Hôtel de Caumont?

The Hôtel de Caumont is just a minute's walk from the Cours Mirabeau. There are therefore many bus routes that stop nearby, you can use the Le Pilote website to create your itinerary.

The nearest car parks are Parking Mignet (350 metres away) and Parking La Rotonde (500 metres away).

⏰ Opening hours of the Hôtel de Caumont

The Hôtel de Caumont is open every day:

• from 10 am to 7 pm from 6 May to 18 September
• 10am to 6pm the rest of the year

👉 The bookshop and the Café Caumont are open at the same times.

👛 Prices for the Hôtel de Caumont

• Full price: €14.5
• Over 65s: €13.5
• Under 26s: €10
• Under 7s: free
• Family (2 adults + 2 children under 26): €43
• Aix-en-Provence City Pass: free

These prices include a visit to the art centre and the current temporary exhibition.

👉 To visit the art centre alone, expect to pay €6.5 for a full-price ticket, €5 for a reduced-price ticket and €20 for a family ticket.

To find out all the prices and book your ticket online, go directly to the Hôtel de Caumont's official website.