Fancy a cultural break during your vacation at our campsite in the Gulf of Saint-Tropez? Book a visit to the Musée de l’Annonciade, a must-see in the Var for art and culture lovers!
A must-see museum in Saint-Tropez
Nestled on the Côte d’Azur, the village of Saint-Tropez has long been a magnet for wealthy holidaymakers from all over the world, having already seduced artists in the late 19th century thanks to the incomparable light of Provence.
This artistic charm is reflected in the Musée de l’Annonciade, founded in 1922, which showcases the works of great 20th-century painters. The museum focuses in particular on major artistic movements such as Pointillism, the Nabis and Fauvism.
This cultural venue offers a genuine pictorial journey through these different currents.
Photo credit https://www.saint-tropez.fr/
A rich artistic heritage
In 1892, the famous painter Paul Signac arrived in Saint-Tropez aboard his yacht, the Olympia. Seduced by the beauty of the landscape and the unique light of the region, he decided to buy a house, La Hune, which quickly became a lively and creative studio.
Great artists such as Henri Matisse, André Derain, Albert Marquet and Henri-Edmond Cross stayed here, helping to make Saint-Tropez a veritable center of the artistic avant-garde in the early 20th century.
This often overlooked heritage is brilliantly showcased by the Musée de l’Annonciade. This emblematic venue offers optimized exhibition space, while celebrating the artistic history of Saint-Tropez.
Photo credit https://www.saint-tropez.fr/
A museum in the heart of a former chapel
The Musée de l’Annonciade in Saint-Tropez is housed in a former chapel.
The chapel of Notre-Dame de l’Annonciade, built in 1548 by the Pénitents blancs brotherhood to ransom Tropez sailors captured by the barbarians, has had several lives. Sold as a national asset during the French Revolution, it was converted for shipbuilding and used as a warehouse and concert hall in the early 20th century.
In 1937, under the impetus of collector Georges Grammont, it became one of France’s first modern art museums, after the one in Paris. The first floor was refurbished to display works donated by artists inspired by Saint-Tropez, originally presented at the Museon Tropelen. Between 1951 and 1955, architect Louis Süe refurbished the building, and Georges Grammont enriched the collection with some sixty major works.
Today, the Musée de l’Annonciade, with its prestigious permanent collections and modernist furniture, is a benchmark for modern art and a major tourist attraction in the Var.
Photo credit https://www.saint-tropez.fr/
The collections of the Musée de l’Annonciade
The eight rooms of the Musée de l’Annonciade feature works produced between 1890 and 1950, in which artists explored color while retaining an attachment to figuration. This approach creates a remarkable harmony through the coherence of the works presented.
Pointillism is represented by masters such as Paul Signac, Théo van Rysselberghe, Georges Seurat, Maximilien Luce, Jeanne Selmersheim-Desgrange and Henri-Edmond Cross. Nabis and Symbolists such as Édouard Vuillard, Pierre Bonnard, Félix Vallotton and Maurice Denis also found their place. Finally, the Fauvists, including Georges Braque, Kees van Dongen, André Derain, Henri Matisse and Raoul Dufy, enrich this collection with their bold colors.
The Musée de l’Annonciade also organizes two temporary exhibitions each year, highlighting different artistic trends.
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The Annonciade Museum: practical information
Located at 2 Place de l’Hôtel de Ville in Saint-Tropez, the Musée de l’Annonciade is just 15 km from our Saint Tropez campsite.
It welcomes visitors from Tuesday to Sunday, from October to June. In July, August and September, it is open daily. Opening hours are from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., closing at 7:00 p.m. in July, August and September.
Admission costs €4-6 for adults (depending on the current temporary exhibition), and €3-4 for children aged 12 and over. Admission is free for children under 12.
For information about the Musée de l’Annonciade, call 04 94 17 84 10 or send an e-mail to annonciade@ville-sainttropez.fr.
Photo credit https://www.seesainttropez.com/