In Saint-Paul-de-Vence, the former chapel of the Pénitents Blancs now houses the Chapelle Folon, wholly associated with the world of Belgian artist Jean-Michel Folon. It is both a heritage site and a work of art to explore: the artist designed his creations in dialogue with the chapel's architecture and the village with which he maintained ties for more than thirty years.
What can you see in Chapelle Folon?
Visitors can discover stained glass, sculptures, paintings and mosaics conceived around Folon's artistic universe. Simple forms, silhouettes, light and colour take on a particular dimension here because they are not displayed in a conventional exhibition gallery: they occupy a former religious building and transform its appearance.
Why is it worth visiting in Saint-Paul-de-Vence?
Saint-Paul-de-Vence has strong associations with 20th-century artists, but Chapelle Folon offers a different approach from a traditional museum. The site helps visitors understand the tangible link between an artist and the village while discovering work designed specifically for this space.
What to know before visiting
The chapel is in the historic village of Saint-Paul-de-Vence. It remains open to the public independently of the Musée d’Histoire Locale, currently closed for redevelopment.
An extra highlight
The site's strength lies in its coherence: rather than simply seeing several Folon works together, visitors discover an artistic setting designed as a whole, where stained glass, colours and volumes respond directly to the chapel.
