What to do in Avignon after the Avignon Festival? Visit the Maison Jean Vilar !
Le Festival d'Avignon As the festival draws to a close, the spotlights gradually leave the city, the parades fade away, and the walls slowly lose their posters. Yet, the spirit of the Festival continues to resonate. Avignon well beyond the month of July.
Throughout the month of August, the Jean Vilar House, an essential venue for the performing arts, invites residents, visitors and theatre enthusiasts to extend the experience. Between permanent exhibitionWith guided tours and themed trails, it offers a fascinating immersion in the history of the Avignon Festival and in the world of Jean Vilar, a major figure in popular theatre.
A must visit to discover in a different way one of the most famous cultural events in the world and extend the magic of the Festival in the heart of Avignon.
Discover the history of the Avignon Festival at the Maison Jean Vilar
Until August 30From Tuesday to Sunday, the Maison Jean Vilar welcomes the public around its permanent exhibition "The Keys to the Festival", The adventure of the Avignon Festival from its origins to the present day.An invitation to explore more than 75 years of artistic creation through the archives of the Maison Jean Vilar and the collections of the National Library of France.
Photographs, historical posters, films, unpublished documents, sound recordings, models, iconic costumes and original correspondence retrace the incredible adventure initiated by Jean Vilar in 1947.
Through this immersive journey, visitors rediscover the shows that have marked the history of the Festival, from The Prince of Homburg directed by Jean Vilar to Peter Brook's Mahabharata, not forgetting the more recent creations of Thomas Jolly, Caroline Guiela Nguyen or Thomas Ostermeier.
Guided tours in Avignon: delve into the behind-the-scenes of the Avignon Festival
To enrich the experience, Maison Jean Vilar offers a daily program, from Tuesday to Sunday at 14:30 pm. guided tour of the permanent exhibitionFor 45 minutes, visitors discover the major stages in the construction of the Avignon Festival and the many facets of this event which has become a global benchmark for live performance.
An ideal visit for the theatre enthusiastsbut also for tourists wishing to discover the cultural soul of Avignon in a different way.
See the iconic costumes of the Avignon Festival
Among the events offered, the themed tour " Costumes from the Avignon Festival » offers a deep dive into the visual world of great theatrical creations.
This annotated discovery allows us to closely observe several stage costumes having marked the history of the Festival, from the creations of the Jean Vilar era to contemporary productions. A unique look at the work of artists, set designers and costume designers who contribute to the magic of live performance.
Who was Jean Vilar? A visit to understand the history of the Avignon Festival
This visit revisits the innovative vision of the man who wanted making theatre accessible to allwithout compromising artistic standards. Visitors discover how the Avignon Festival was born in the heart of the Palais des Papes and how Jean Vilar's legacy continues to inspire major cultural events today.
Book online From 8 € / adult
29 July 29 August 2026
Why visit the Maison Jean Vilar during your stay in Avignon?
Located in the heart of Avignon, the Maison Jean Vilar is one of the essential places to understand the history of the Avignon Festival. Accessible to all audiencesIt allows you to discover the great figures of the theatre, the shows that marked the event and the behind-the-scenes of a cultural event recognized throughout the world.
What to do in Avignon in August? Discover the Maison Jean Vilar. After the Avignon Festival, the Maison Jean Vilar remains one of the essential cultural sites to visit in Avignon during the summer. Thanks to its permanent exhibition, guided tours, and themed itineraries dedicated to Jean Vilar and the Festival costumes, it allows you to extend your exploration of the world of live performance well beyond the month of July. Whether you're a theatre enthusiast, a heritage lover, or simply looking for a cultural activity in Avignon this August, the Maison Jean Vilar offers a unique immersion into the history of the Avignon Festival. It's the perfect place to discover the behind-the-scenes workings of this international event and understand why Avignon remains one of Europe's great cultural capitals. During your stay in the Grand AvignonDon't miss this unique experience which perfectly complements the discovery of the Palais des Papes, the Pont d'Avignon and other iconic sites of the destination.
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