Château La Coste: 40 works of art, Tadao Ando, Gehry and Niemeyer amongst the vines

A wine estate reconverted as an art centre

The property was purchased in 2004 by Irish property investor Patrick (Paddy) McKillen, a collector and patron, who decided to graft an open-air contemporary art centre onto the existing wine estate. The concept opened to the public in 2011.

Today, the estate combines wine production (organic wines under certified organic farming), an art and architecture trail in open air, several restaurants, a five-star hotel, and temporary exhibition galleries. It is one of the most ambitious private projects of its kind in France, in the same category as the Maeght Foundation in Saint-Paul-de-Vence or the Carrière Bouvier in Mas-Saint-Antoine, though more dispersed.

The art and architecture trail, 40 works in open air

The trail extends across the estate’s 200 hectares, principally along the vineyards and olive groves, on a marked pathway. A leisurely walk through the entire route takes around two to three hours. There are approximately 40 permanent works, plus a number of temporary exhibitions in the galleries.

Among the striking pieces: Louise Bourgeois‘s “Crouching Spider” in the entrance pool, Tadao Ando‘s Art Centre Pavilion with its triangular façade over water, Frank Gehry‘s music pavilion, Oscar Niemeyer‘s auditorium-pavilion set amongst the Vermentino vineyards, as well as works by Sophie Calle, Andy Goldsworthy, Hiroshi Sugimoto, and a welded metal sculpture by Bob Dylan.

The architecture of the reception buildings

The Art Centre designed by Tadao Ando is the entrance point to the site. It combines a triangular reflecting pool, in which the Louise Bourgeois sculpture is reflected, and a floating pavilion in two wings forming an acute angle, the signature of the Japanese architect. It serves simultaneously as ticketing, circulation space and a framed vantage point over the pinewood and vineyards.

The wine cellar was designed by Jean Nouvel, in another vocabulary (refined industrial volumes), where visits and tastings take place. It is one of the rare wine estates where the cellar is itself an autonomous architectural object, and where the visit does not separate the “vineyards” side from the “art” side.

The wines: organic, Coteaux d’Aix-en-Provence

The estate produces Coteaux d’Aix-en-Provence AOP, under certified organic farming. The range covers all three colours, with a rosé as the signature (distinctive of the region) and age-worthy reds based on Syrah, Grenache and Cabernet-Sauvignon. The Vermentino white remains the other hallmark of the house, this is the variety that grows around the Niemeyer pavilion.

Tastings are arranged by reservation at the cellar, at prices varying according to the formula, a short visit or a full trail with food and wine pairing at the restaurant.

When to visit and how much time to allow

The art centre is open year-round, on seasonal hours. For a comfortable visit, allow a minimum of half a day, ideally a full day if you wish to combine the art trail, lunch on site and a tasting. Spring (March to May) and early autumn (September to October) remain the best periods: the light is consistent with the works, and summer heat does not overwhelm the open-air trail.

In summer, plan to arrive early (opening around 10am) and take a mid-day break in the shade of the galleries or at the restaurant.

Planning a stay near Aix-en-Provence

AEC Collection selects and represents country houses and villas of standing in the Aix-en-Provence and Luberon region, near Château La Coste. Booking for the art trail and cellar tastings is made directly with the estate.