Nestled between the historic city of Aix-en-Provence and the Luberon National Park, Château La Coste stretches across more than 600 acres of organically farmed vineyard, oak woodland and olive groves. A site where art, architecture, wine and gastronomy co-exist, the site has been around for centuries, but its current cult status was cemented in 2002 when Irish property developer Patrick McKillen, known for restoring historic London hotels such as Claridge’s, The Connaught, and The Savoy, purchased the estate. Equipped with a 17th-century manor house and storied vineyard, McKillen intended to keep the property true to its heritage while incorporating contemporary art and architecture into its unique landscape. 

Over the past two decades, the site has become home to over 40 permanent installations from globally revered names in art. An enveloping Louise Bourgeois Spider greets guests upon arrival, situated as if hovering above water, Richard Serra’s Aix cuts a steel figure in the hills, and a neon script from British artist Tracey Emin illuminates the grounds. Andy Goldsworthy’s Oak Room invites visitors to step inside a cove constructed entirely from woven branches, Prune Nourry’s sculpture Mater Earth stretches 90 feet across the grass as a pregnant woman emerges from the soil, and Brazilian architect Oscar Niemeyer’s final architectural work resides as a Pavilion among the trees. 

Each year, new artists and architects are invited to discover Château La Coste’s unique terrain and granted the freedom to create a site-specific installation or exhibition in the estate’s sprawling grounds. This summer, Château La Coste is hosting a series of new exhibitions from the biggest names on the contemporary art scene. Sophie Calle will take over the Richard Rogers Gallery with On the Hunt, a culmination of her four-decade exploration of the blurring between the intimate and the public. Blending photography and text, the exhibition meditates on the metaphorical parallels between hunting and the pursuit of love.

The estate’s Pavillon Renzo Piano will house a major solo exhibition from Korean artist and leading figure of the post-war Dansaekhwa movement Ha Chong-Hyun, while New York-based studio Ralph Pucci will present a selection of hand-sculptures designed by a roster of emerging artists in the spacious Auditorium Oscar Niemeyer. Inside Galerie des Anciens Chais, a collection of works from French-Italian businessman, collector and photographer Jean Pigozzi takes centre stage. Arguably considered the inventor of the selfie, Pigozzi’s imagery studies the self-portrait in all its varying forms. The exhibit brings together unseen contact sheets alongside a multitude of self-portraits, ranging from the 1960s to the present day. 

In addition to its exhibition galleries and sculpture park, the estate is equally as reputable for its exquisite five-star accommodation and extensive list of on-site eateries. Continuing to incorporate art into every area of the property, Michelin-starred menus and cuisine-bending restaurants are designed by the likes of Japanese architect Tadao Ando and decorated by works from the likes of James Turrell.

Inside the estate’s winery designed by celebrated French architect Jean Nouvel, Château La Coste has been brewing some of Provence’s most exquisite organic offerings. Surrounded by lush forestry, the estate benefits from rich biodiversity, fostering natural balance through sustainable techniques such as winter green manuring, sheep grazing, and horse-drawn tillage to preserve the soil. Already harbouring an extensive roster of reds and whites, the estate is introducing a new rosé to kick off summer. Crafted in partnership with La Petite Maison – the French Riviera-rooted restaurant group – this new vino is a unique blend of Grenache, Cinsault, Syrah and Cabernet Sauvignon. Reimagining flavours of the Riviera, this partnership harks back to LPM’s roots in the South of France, best enjoyed with fresh Mediterranean cuisine and a view of the estate’s impressive artworks – santé!

Find out more about Chateau La Coste here and LPM here.