CreatripTeam

Château La Coste, a historic 17th-century winery near Aix-en-Provence, has been transformed into a major contemporary art and architecture destination by Irish developer Paddy McKillen. Opened to the public in 2011, the 2.01 million m² estate combines vineyards, restaurants, luxury lodging, and over 40 large-scale sculptures and architectural works by world-renowned artists and architects such as Tadao Ando (who designed multiple buildings including the Art Centre and a concrete Gate), Frank Gehry (Pavilion de Musique), Kengo Kuma (Komorebi), Richard Serra, Louise Bourgeois, Ai Weiwei, and Lee Ufan. The site features commissioned pieces integrated into the landscape—landmark pavilions, water-side installations, and buried structures—offering visitors a “treasure hunt” experience across the grounds. Notable highlights include Lee Ufan’s small meditative “House of Air” (accessible only with a guide), Ha Chong-hyun’s solo exhibition in Renzo Piano’s sunken pavilion, and artworks that engage social themes (Ai Weiwei’s Ruyi Path referencing migration). Château La Coste remains a place where high-profile architecture, contemporary art, wine and Provencal cuisine coexist, attracting hundreds of thousands of visitors yearly.