The exhibition "Banksy, a (R)evolution" makes a very promising debut in Toulon

The posters flooding the streets of Toulon have had their effect. For its first weekend open to the public, the exhibition "Banksy, a (R)evolution" was a resounding success. This Sunday afternoon, dozens of visitors streamed through the corridors of the MAT, the Toulon art museum. A great way to indulge in reflection and enrich one's culture, while escaping the infernal heat of the Var capital.

"I came to see my mother in Toulon and I walked past it completely by chance," Françoise said between reading the panels. "I'm very pleased, because I'm discovering works that I didn't really know and which give a lot to think about current events. In the end, I'm really happy to have stumbled upon them!" Of the eighty street art works on offer to the curious, forty are by Banksy, the British star of urban art and the anonymous artist who is the leading figure in the exhibition. Other big names are represented, such as JR, Basquiat and Invader. Enough to interest visitors from diverse backgrounds.

"There are lots of different styles. And I really like the way it's displayed," observed Maria, a young art student in Toulon. "It's a great idea to have this in this museum. It can open minds and it shows that art is always evolving ," analyzed Caroline, while a little further away, a little girl clinging to her dad also seemed far from bored: "It's so so good!" she exclaimed, smiling.

Even Christophe, dragged to Toulon by his partner somewhat against his will, managed to take an interest in the collection. So, phones and cameras were out everywhere, to capture these striking and memorable works. At the top of the list, The Little Girl with a Ball, obviously, but not only that. "It's interesting to also have the origins of street art, with all these master thinkers," Christine judged. "I think I'll bring my children back!" (smiles)

This Toulon native still has time to revisit the MAT. The temporary exhibition is open to the public until October 5. And by then, perhaps Banksy and his cronies will have done better than Picasso, whose paintings depicting Mediterranean landscapes attracted more than 55,000 visitors five years ago.

Toulon Art Museum. 113 Boulevard Maréchal Leclerc. Open Tuesday to Sunday, 12 p.m. to 6 p.m. Full price: €7. Reduced price: €4.