To celebrate 25 years of Avignon as European Capital of Culture, the city is offering an artistic and poetic constellation of 260 works spread over 10 historic sites.
« Othoniel Cosmos » or « Les Fantômes de l’Amour »
This is the largest project ever conceived by the artist, and a first on this scale in France. The sculptor Jean-Michel Othoniel is exhibiting 260 works – including 160 never-before-seen pieces – in 10 emblematic locations around the city.
Drawing his inspiration from the eternal material of passionate love, including that which inspired Laure de Noves to Petrarch when he met her leaving a chapel in Avignon, Othoniel has imagined a constellation of monumental works, made of bricks and pearls, gold and glass, totems and infinite knots. You can see them in the vast halls of the Palais des Papes for the major summer exhibition, but also in the course of your visits in the papal city: some forty installations at the Musée du Petit Palais-Louvre in Avignon, a glass and gold portal inspired by the Rhône boatmen’s cross on the Avignon bridge, monoliths of sulphurised glass at the Musée Lapidaire or glass fountains at the Bains Pommer, a brand new museum, and much more.
A performance by Carolyn Carlson
On August 1 and 2, you can watch Midnight Souls, a performance choreographed by Carolyn Carlson around works by Othoniel, in the courtyard of the Palais des Papes, with star dancer Hugo Marchand and ballerina Caroline Osmont. It’s sure to be one of the highlights of the summer in the Papal Palace.
Practical details
From 28 June 2025 to 4 January 2026
Exhibitions in the following places:
Paid exhibitions: Palace of the Popes – Pont Saint Bénézet – Bains Pommer – Collection Lambert
Guided tours of the exhibition at the Palace of the Popes or a tour of the city on fixed dates, upon prior booking.
Free exhibitions at Chapelle Sainte Claire, as well as in the municipal museums, which grant free access year round: Musée du Petit Palais–Louvre en Avignon – Musée Calvet – Musée Requien – Musée Lapidaire.
©Othoniel ©O Tresson