From 28 June 2025, the entire city of Avignon, including the Palace of the Popes, will be home to works by visual artist Jean-Michel Othoniel.
Artworks all over the city
This year, the city of Avignon has chosen artist Jean-Michel Othoniel not only to be the star of its huge annual exhibition in the main chapel of the Papal Palace, but also to spearhead a major artistic project encompassing the whole city and its heritage.
Parisians have been familiar with the artist’s work since the creation of his piece in 2000, the “Kiosque des Noctambules”, an archway made up of Murano glass and aluminium spheres that stands above the exit for the Palais Royal–Musée du Louvre metro station.
Indeed, Othoniel made a name for himself in the art world by creating works in situ, in dialogue with both historical locations and contemporary structures.
The large-scale exhibition “OTHONIEL COSMOS, ou les fantômes de l’amour” will be an homage to Pétrarque and his canzoniere, a collection of poems that sings of the Italian poet’s love for Laure, whom he encountered one day in a church in Avignon. Conceived as a quest for love across the city, the route also takes inspiration from sailors and the stars that guided them! There will be 220 works in total, featuring 160 completely new works.
The extra large-scale project will be accompanied by multidisciplinary performances as part of the Festival d’Avignon in the Court of Honour of the Palace of the Popes.
Practical information
Palais des Papes, 84000 Avignon
28 June 2025 – 4 January 2026
Open every day
Public rate: from €12
Visit included in the Avignon City Pass
©Kessler, Claire Dorn