La Citadelle, centre d'art et musées
The Citadelle is a fortress built in the 16th century. It became a centre for art and culture in 1981, after being demilitarised in 1967 and classified as a Historic Monument in 1968. It now houses a contemporary art centre and three ‘Musées de France’ modern art collections.
Since January 2022, the Museums have been closed for renovation and restoration of the collections. The Citadelle, which is currently undergoing restoration work, will remain open, with plans for artist residencies and exhibitions. La Citadelle is intended to be an exhibition space, offering an atypical playground of over 3 hectares to contemporary artists invited to use its spaces.
The Citadelle is a fortress built in the 16th century. It became a centre for art and culture in 1981, after being demilitarised in 1967 and classified as a Historic Monument in 1968. It now houses a contemporary art centre and three ‘Musées de France’ modern art collections.
Since January 2022, the Museums have been closed for renovation and restoration of the collections. The Citadelle, which is currently undergoing restoration work, will remain open, with plans for artist residencies and exhibitions. La Citadelle is intended to be an exhibition space, offering an atypical playground of over 3 hectares to contemporary artists invited to use its spaces.
Programme
Arne Quinze and Joana Vasconcelos - The Absurd and the Dream
The Belgian sculptor Arne Quinze invites Portuguese artist Joana Vasconcelos to join him in creating an extraordinary body of work, exploring the poetic, the surreal and the unexpected.
In the spirit of Jean Cocteau — whose legacy is deeply rooted in Villefranche-sur-Mer — the exhibition encourages visitors to rediscover surrealism and dreamlike thinking as essential lenses through which to reflect on the growing distance between contemporary culture and nature. A loss and a form of alienation that Quinze views as profoundly harmful.
Spreading throughout the Citadel, the exhibition unfolds through monumental outdoor installations alongside more intimate indoor environments. It offers Quinze and Vasconcelos a unique space for expression, allowing them to shape a singular and immersive narrative.
Access
La Citadelle, centre d'art et musées
Place Emmanuel Philibert
06230 Villefranche-sur-Mer
04 93 76 33 27
lacitadellevsm.fr
Open daily from 10am to 5pm, except public holidays.
Free admission.
Locate other art venues in the vicinity on the map.
