Musee des Arts Asiatiques (Museum of Asian Arts), Toulon

The Museum of Asian Arts in Toulon is housed in the historic Villa Jules Verne, located along the Frédéric Mistral coast in the Mourillon district, facing Fort Saint-Louis. Despite its name, the famous writer Jules Verne never lived there; instead, his son, Michel Verne, owned the villa and used it as a base for film production inspired by his father's novels.

Over the years, the villa changed hands multiple times, serving as a hotel and restaurant before being acquired by the city of Toulon in 1973. Since 2001, it has been home to an impressive collection of Asian art, making it an essential cultural stop in the city.

The museum's collection is primarily made up of donations and bequests, contributed by notable collectors such as the Rothschild family, Hyppolite Fauverge de French, and the Jubiot family, among others. These Chinese, Japanese, and Indian artifacts reflect the collectors' personal travels, professions, and deep appreciation for Asian cultures.

The first floor of the museum presents objects by material and theme, showcasing a variety of works in ceramic, jade, bronze, wood, ivory, and silk. Visitors can explore Hinduism, Taoism, and Japan's Edo and Meiji periods, while young guests can enjoy a section dedicated to mythical creatures, gods, and legendary figures from Asian traditions.

The second floor is devoted to Buddhism, one of the museum’s central themes. The collection tells the story of five key scenes from the life of the historical Buddha, providing insight into the religion's evolution across different Asian cultures. Various sculptures, thangka paintings, ceramics, and bronzes illustrate the diverse representations of Buddha and bodhisattvas throughout history.