Musee Vouland (Vouland Museum), Avignon

The Louis-Vouland Museum in Avignon offers a journey into the elegance of 17th and 18th-century decorative arts within the historic setting of a private mansion. Located in Villeneuve-Esclapon, this museum houses an exquisite collection that includes Parisian furniture, Southern French earthenware from Marseille and Moustiers, intricate goldsmithing, and fine tapestries and paintings. The mansion itself has a storied past, originally built by Mathilde de Thysebaërt in 1879 after her marriage to Marie Xavier Arthur de Villeneuve-Esclapon, a prominent figure in Vaucluse's administration.

After changing hands several times, the mansion was purchased in 1927 by Louis Vouland, an industrialist with a passion for collecting. Vouland meticulously furnished the residence with treasures acquired from notable auctions, including those at the prestigious Hôtel Drouot. Upon his death in 1973, Vouland bequeathed the mansion and its collections to the Fondation de France, which opened it to the public as a museum under the guidance of the Louis Vouland Foundation, recognized for its public utility in 1977.

Beyond its decorative arts, the museum boasts an impressive collection of works from Provence and Languedoc, highlighting the “new school of Avignon.” This dynamic collection includes paintings and drawings that are periodically rotated from the museum’s reserves, often displayed alongside contemporary pieces to create a dialogue between different artistic eras and with the visitors themselves.

The mansion's south-facing garden, once neglected, has been lovingly restored to provide a serene oasis in the bustling heart of Avignon. This tranquil space complements the museum’s offerings, which include modern and contemporary works integrated into the permanent collections. Throughout the year, the museum hosts a variety of events, including chamber music concerts, workshops, conferences, and readings, bringing the mansion and its collections to life for all who visit.