Pavillon Vendome (Vendome Pavilion), Aix-en-Provence

The Pavillon Vendôme was built between 1665 and 1667 for Louis de Mercoeur, Duke of Vendôme, as a private retreat for his lover, Lucrèce de Forbin-Solliès, known as La Belle du Canet. It is designed in Baroque style, with atlantes figures representing Dawn and Dusk on each side of the entrance. The building was originally a single level with open arcades for carriages, but a second floor and tiled roof were added in the 18th century.

Inside, the rooms have decorated ceilings, frescoes, and period furniture from different periods. A key feature is the early 18th-century double spiral staircase with plaster details like small figures and eagles. Today, the building is a museum with Provençal furniture, portraits, and temporary exhibitions of contemporary art and photography.

The pavilion is surrounded by a formal French garden covering about 9,000 square meters. It is arranged with straight, symmetrical paths, trimmed boxwood hedges, and fountains. The garden was carefully restored based on 17th-century engravings, allowing visitors to see a layout close to its original design.