Live in a work of art in the French riviera

A few kilometers from Aix-en-Provence, Domaine La Coste is known both for the Grenache and Shiraz wines it produces in its Jean Nouvel-designed winery and its passion for contemporary art and architecture. The grounds of the vineyard, which carries the appellation Coteaux d’Aix-en-Provence, are peppered with works of art that form a kind of itinerary that visitors can visit in about two hours. Since the domain was bought out by Irishman Patrick McKillen in 2004, the vineyard has become an open-sky museum. The vines grow next to the creations of luminaries such as Louise Bourgeois, Frank O. Gehry, Andy Goldsworthy and Tadao Ando, who designed the concrete visitor center. The art gallery, meanwhile, was designed by Jean-Michel Wilmotte.

Since 2017, guests have been given the opportunity of being even closer to the collection by staying at the Villa La Coste, a hotel concept offering private suites, some of which come complete with their own swimming pool.

And from June 1, guests will be able to literally stay in a work of art: the prefab house designed by Jean Prouvé in 1944 in response to the French state’s call for solutions for victims of the war’s destruction. He came up with a 36 square-meter shelter based on the axial portico he had patented before the war began.

After being shown last year in the Renzo Piano-designed photography pavilion, this 6×6 shelter was reappointed by Richard Rogers. The British-Italian architect wired it for electricity, piped in hot water and built out a kitchen and bathroom, resulting in an autonomous, environmentally-friendly home. A property of the Patrick Seguin art gallery, the house has found its new foundations under the centuries-old oak trees of the Domaine La Coste. Now rechristened Suite N°30, it offers all of the amenities already provided at Villa La Coste.

The cost of a night’s stay for two starts at 2,500 euros, which includes breakfast and transportation from the train station or airport, as well as a visit of the permanent collection and temporary exhibition — not to mention a wine tasting.

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