Museum Frédéric Mistral

Maillane - Cultural place

The poet Frédéric Mistral (1830-1914) lived in Maillane, where he composed all his work; in 1904 he was awarded the Nobel Prize for Literature. He was also the founder of the Félibrige association. The house where he lived from 1876 until his death on 25 March 1914 has retained the authentic look of Mistral's time, thanks to restoration work carried out from 1992 to 1995 by the Historic Monuments service. The house became a museum in 1944, following the death of Mme Mistral in 1943. Visitors can discover all the souvenirs and works of art which were given to the poet throughout his life (objects, books, photos, etc.) and which help to conserve the atmosphere that Mistral created in his home, which was given to the commune under a will in 1907. The building was listed as a Historic Monument on 10 November 1930.
It is a charming bourgeois residence in the form of a two-storey Aix batide, with a string course separating the two levels. The windows have grip frames and above the ground floor windows are sculpted figures of Mireille and Esterelle (the heroines of Mistral's works, Mireille and Calendal), and of the stars of the Félibrige association. The house has a large sculpted fronton composed of symbols of regional culture, such as fruit, vegetables, the three-pronged fork of the guardians and an anchor. The initials VM (Vincent and Mireille) and EC (Esterelle and Calendal) can be seen, as well as the poet's motto, 'The sun makes me sing'.
No independent visits. Guided, commented visits.

• Car park

Information provided by OT Terre de Provence