Fondation Maeght: Museum für moderne Kunst

Ensconced in pine forest on the Colline des Gardettes hill above St. Paul de Vence, the Fondation Maeght (fon-da-shon magh) ist ein Museum für moderne Kunst von einem Kaliber, das man nicht oft sieht, weshalb das Museum jedes Jahr über 200.000 Besucher anzieht.

What Makes Fondation Maeght Special

The art dealer couple, Aimé Maeght and his wife Marguerite were 20th century art collectors and art collectors who planned the attraction as a memorial to their son who died at just 11. Its inauguration was in 1964 and designed by Spanish American architect José Luis Sert. It has since become a mecca for modern art enthusiasts.

Das Besondere an diesem Museum ist, dass Meister der modernen Kunst bei der Gestaltung und Dekoration mitwirkten: Marc Chagall schuf Mosaike, Giacometti entwarf einen Innenhof und Joan Miró konzipierte ein Labyrinth mit 250 Skulpturen. Viele charakteristische Kunstwerke moderner Meister gehören zur Sammlung dieses Kunstmuseums.

Features & Artwork at Fondation Maeght

Temporary exhibits are on during the summers. Indoor galleries show the collection in rotation. The only fixed installations are the sculptures standing on the ground.

Fondation Maeght: Modern Art Museum - art galleries st paul de vence fondation maeght exhibit

Chapelle St-Bernard: Dedicated to the Maeghts’ young son who died of leukemia in the age of 11. George Braque designed it, and above the 12th-century Christ altarpiece, is a stained glass window of his creation. It is on the right coming from the entrance.
Les Poissons (1963): A mosaic pool by Braque.
La Vie (1964): A painting by Marc Chagall depicting human life on a tableau with swirling figures of dancers, musicians, acrobats, and clowns, made somewhat serious in tone by the theme of love, parenthood, religion, society, nature, etc.
L’ete (1909): An artwork with inspiration from the Mediterranean. Oil on canvas painting by Pierre Bonnard. He was a close friend to Aimé.
Olseau dans le Feuillage (1961): An artwork made of newsprint depicting a bird nestling in foliage by Georges Braque’s. He is influential to the building of the Fondation but did not live up to see its opening to the public.
Les Renforts (1963): a “stabile” by Alexander Calder. It is a counterpart to his more common “mobile”.
Cour Galcometti (1960): Slender human-like figures in the shady courtyard by Alberto Giacometti.
Labyrinthe da Miró with the prominent Loiseau Lunaire (1968): a multi-leveled maze of trees, water fixtures, and gargoyles by Joan Miró.

Video Tour of Fondation Maeght

How to Get There

The museum is outside the walls of St-Paul de Vence. You’ll need to walk 15 to 20 minutes from the town of St. Paul de Vence on the wooded hills among the dark pines to reach it. From the bus stop you can see the signs that point to the way. Coming from the lower lot, a shortcut on a steep dirt path through the trees leads directly to the green gate in front of the ticket booth.