Three major exhibitions to discover from the start of the school year in Draguignan
"Prepare to be amazed throughout this season which will prove to be exceptional for you. I would like to salute all the presidents of associations for their unwavering commitment and support" , announced the City through the voice of Françoise Maurice, deputy mayor of Draguignan responsible for culture, in the preamble to the presentation evening of the 2025-2026 cultural season.
The curator of the Museum of Fine Arts, Yohan Rimaud, announced to the crowd – who had gathered earlier in the Place Octave-Teissier – that the museum had added new semi-permanent displays. "Sixteen new pieces, thanks to purchases, donations, relocations from the reserve and loans," thus enriching the collection.
Among them is a monumental tapestry from the beginning of the 17th century, illustrating the importance of chivalric imagery, as well as the ceremonial armor of the Duke of Montmorency, placed in the same room.
Throughout the summer, "cultural stopovers" were planned, consisting of workshops, concerts, meetings with artist-in-residence Camille Chastang, and storytelling tours. The museum space was expanded with a cool room, designed as a place of rest and relaxation away from the heat and daily hustle and bustle.
At the start of the school year, a major exhibition "The Rembrandt Lighthouse" is being held to celebrate the second anniversary of the Museum of Fine Arts, from November 15 to March 15.
Designated as being of national interest by the Ministry of Culture, the exhibition aims to reveal, through some fifty works, how Rembrandt's art was perceived in 18th-century France, where his works profoundly influenced artists and collectors. Indeed, some of the paintings are imitations or interpretations by admirers of the Dutch master of chiaroscuro.
From May 21, 2026, until October 31 of the same year, make way for light and color with the exhibition "The Red Rocks, artistic blossoming in the Esterel at the dawn of the 20th century". "If Charles Camoin, Albert Marquet or Louis Valtat presented views of the Provençal massif at the Parisian Salon d'Automne of 1905 – which marked the beginning of the public adventure of Fauvism – they were not the only ones for whom the Esterel became a motif of choice" , the museum informs.
Indeed, thanks to the opening of the Corniche d'Or in 1903, Le Trayas, Agay and Anthéor are accessible to all lovers of raw nature, seduced by the mineral, volcanic and wild side of the places. As well as by the purple colors of the rocks and the blue shades of the Mediterranean.
At the Chapel of the ObservanceAmong the richness of the calendar of the Observance Chapel, we note the next exhibition visible from October 10, 2025 to January 24, 2026: "Oasis" is an exhibition by Laurent Perbos inspired by pop culture, assemblages and imaginary worlds.
Some of his work has been presented in numerous museums, galleries and private collections, including last year in front of the National Assembly, on the occasion of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games. Six brightly colored statues promoting play and sport will be on display.
The full program is available digitally on the website https://tinyurl.com/mcvy7tbf.
Museum of Fine Arts, 9 rue de la République, Draguignan. Tel.: 04.98.10.26.85.
Chapel of the Observance, on the eponymous square in the old town. Information at 04.94.84.54.31.
Var-Matin
