The Commanderie de Peyrassol is one of those places that changes the way you experience contemporary art. Founded in the 13th century by the Knights Templar and later entrusted to the Knights Hospitaller, the estate is best known today for its vineyards and acclaimed Côtes de Provence wines. Since 2001, however, it has also become home to one of France’s most significant open-air collections of contemporary sculpture. More than seventy works are thoughtfully woven throughout the landscape, encouraging visitors to discover them gradually as they wander between ancient stone buildings, umbrella pines and rows of vines.
This short film offers a glimpse into that experience. Along the way you’ll encounter works by Pascale Marthine Tayou, Ulrich Rückriem, Daniel Buren and Jaume Plensa, each approaching the landscape in a different way. Some invite us to reflect on history and identity, others ask us to notice light, material or language with fresh eyes. What stayed with me most was that the sculptures never felt separate from their surroundings. Instead, they became another way of looking at Provence, reminding us that contemporary art doesn’t always ask for answers; sometimes it simply teaches us just to pay closer attention.
