Château La Coste is an art center, winery, and resort in Provence, Southern France, about 20 kilometers north of Aix-en-Provence.
The estate is renowned for its open-air exhibition of contemporary sculpture and its building complex designed by world-famous architects.
The estate we see today originated in 2003, when Irish art collector and real-estate entrepreneur Patrick McKillen bought the property, which was previously a rather ordinary winery, intending to convert it into a center dedicated to “Wine, Art & Architecture”.
Currently, the 320-acre estate comprises various art pavilions, cellars, a wine shop, a country house, a hotel, a SPA, two wine bars, and three restaurants, along with vineyards of Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, Grenache, Vermentino, Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, and Cinsault grapes.
Architecture
Along with historical structures, Château La Coste features buildings designed by Tadao Ando (Art Center, Four Cubes pavilion, and Chapel, all completed in 2011), Renzo Piano (Art pavilion, 2017 ) Frank O. Gehry (Music Pavilion, 2008), and Jean Nouvel (Cellars, 2008).
Art walk
Several sculptures and art installations flank the estate’s footpaths, they include works by
Louise Bourgeois,
Richard Serra,
Hiroshi Sugimoto,
Michael Stipe,
Alexander Calder,
Sean Scully,
Franz West,
Tom Shannon,
Ai Weiwei,
among others.
The program of activities of Chateau La Coste includes temporary exhibitions, art workshops, music concerts, and film screenings.