Château la Coste, Aix-en-Provence, South of France

Château la Coste

Just 20 minutes from the charming town of Aix-en-Provence, this remarkable open-air museum is an art & architecture museum, garden and vineyard where you might get away with sneaking in your picnic backpack. Pro tip: leave it in the car in the underground garage, buy your tickets first, then go back and grab it before entering the garden – that way you won’t risk it being refused at the ticket counter. That said, the restaurants – among them a Michelin-starred one, are tempting and you probably won’t be able to resist a little wine tasting. The ‘art and architecture’ walking trail leads you past architectural pavilions, art installations and exhibitions. The Château brings together a who’s who of art and architecture, from Tadao Ando to Frank Gehry, from Bob Dylan to Damien Hirst. And for a special treat or if you want to stay longer, there’s the 5-star Villa La Coste hotel and spa.

Check out https://chateau-la-coste.com/en/ for opening hours and events.