About 70 sculptures signed by the greatest names in modern art are to be discovered in the gardens of the Maeght Foundation -

F. Binacchi / ANP / 20 Minutes

  • While museums have been closed since October 29, the gardens of the Maeght Foundation in Saint-Paul-de-Vence can once again welcome the public.

  • Around 70 sculptures signed by the greatest names in modern art are exhibited there year round.

  • “I really had a vital need to find myself in a museum,” explains a visitor there.

"It feels good !"

That day, in the gardens of the Maeght Foundation, under a sun veiled by a few clouds, Arnaud “has the impression of visiting a museum”.

“And with the Covid-19, I almost forgot how it was,” quips this inhabitant of the neighboring Var department.

Faced with the pandemic, by decision of the government, the cultural places again closed their doors on October 29, 2020. But since February 8, this cultural space of Saint-Paul-de-Vence has the authorization of the prefecture of the Alps -Maritimes to receive visitors again, only in its outdoor spaces.

Calder, Giacometti, Chagall .... Around 70 sculptures by the greatest names in modern art are exhibited there year-round, in the shade of the pines.

The Miro labyrinth, a route of works in ceramic, iron, bronze and reinforced cement, signed by the Spanish painter, has even just been restored.

Visits are obviously masked - F. Binacchi / ANP / 20 Minutes

“Even if it is only a tiny part of the foundation's collections [13,000 references], I had to review it.

And quick.

So as not to go mad.

I really had a vital need to find myself in a museum ”, also confides on the spot Véronique, a resident of Nice (25 kilometers away) who makes the trip“ several times a year outside the pandemic ”.

"People are really thirsty for culture"

Normally, during the winter, the Maeght Foundation welcomes up to 300 visitors per day.

And 130,000 in a year.

“At the moment, on a daily basis, we tend to have between 40 and 70 people, especially locals,” explains Isabelle Maeght, member of the board of directors.

It's already good, because coming to see us, it has to be earned.

You have to climb far from the coast.

It shows us that people are really thirsty for culture.

"

“I only hear French speaking, whereas we usually have a lot of foreigners,” confirms Sophie, the store manager, who can also welcome visitors just before they leave.

The latter must go through an internal staircase, with a glimpse of the large exhibition hall "of the town hall" - and its works, to access it.

"There is a real frustration of not being able to see more," assures the employee.

Visitors have only a quick glimpse of the large exhibition hall "of the town hall" - F. Binacchi / ANP / 20 Minutes

“We are obviously anxious to reopen completely, continues Isabelle Maeght.

Our protocols have been ready since December 15th.

And we would be fully operational by tomorrow.

There is currently no question of that.

The prefecture of the Alpes-Maritimes, which issued this partial opening authorization according to a very strict protocol, even specifies that it could be "revised if more drastic instructions, given the evolution of the epidemic, were given. by the government ".

"Do not generate a static grouping of people"

While waiting for better days, the foundation must therefore comply with very strict rules.

In particular, for “visitors and employees dedicated to welcoming the public”, it must ensure “strict compliance with barrier measures” but also guarantee “fluid circulation”, which “does not generate static groups of people. people ”.

It is also compulsory to "not leave any tool accessible in the garden to avoid any possible contamination", further state the state services.

Suspended from the prefect's announcements, expected this Wednesday or Thursday, to find out whether the next weekends will still be confined to the Côte d'Azur, those in charge of the Maeght Foundation are working in parallel on the next major exhibition of the summer.

It is to bring together “a world premiere” of works by Alberto Giacometti but also by Giovanni, his father, his two brothers, Diego and Bruno, and his cousin Augusto.

Between periods of partial unemployment, "everyone works, from the carpenter to the librarians, so that everything is ready", explains Isabelle Maeght.

"Les Giacometti: a family of creators" is due to open the last weekend of June "if, by then, all is well".

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  • Covid 19

  • Coronavirus

  • Nice

  • Museum

  • Culture