Art Spotlight: |Carmignac Foundation in Porquerolles

Porquerolles, a remote island located just in the South of France, is renowned for its beautiful beaches and sunny climate, but last year it also became a destination for art enthusiasts thanks to the collection of the once-private Carmignac Foundation becoming available to the public. Édouard Carmignac, founder of the Carmignac Gestion investment fund and avid art collector, founded the Carmignac Foundation in 2000 to support contemporary artists via grants. The billionaire financier fell in love with the Porquerolles after he first visited while attending a wedding more than 20 years ago, leading him to purchase an old farmhouse and 17-acres of land on the island in 2013. After three years of construction, the property was converted into more than 4,900 square feet of exhibition space, including a massive garden to showcase the collection’s contemporary sculptures and installations.

Édouard’s eldest son and current director of the foundation Charles Carmignac wanted more people to be able to see the foundation’s vast collection, deciding to open the farmhouse-turned-museum to the public last year. On display are more than 300 pieces of art and sculptures from celebrated artists such as Andy Warhol, Jean-Michel Basquiat, Keith Haring, Andreas Gursky, and Roy Lichtenstein. To reach the island, visitors take a 15-minute boat ride from Hyères, a town on the French Riviera and then walk 15 minutes to reach the remotely located foundation. Intrigued? Check out some photos of the museum below.

The Carmignac Foundation in Porquerolles.

Andy Warhol's Lenin (1986) and Mao (1973).

Nils-Udo's La couvée (2018) in the foundation's sculpture park.