ARTFEED — Contemporary Art Intelligence

Hotel La Mirande: A Century of Art and History in Avignon

cultural-heritage · 2026-04-26

In 2013, during the Festival d'Avignon, Sophie Calle turned La Chambre 20 at Hotel La Mirande into a venue for performance art, displaying personal items from her life. She encouraged attendees to engage with her by sharing their own stories. Currently, Calle is part of the Rencontres de la Photographie in Arles, showcasing 'Finir en beauté' at the Cryptoportiques until September 29. The hotel, which dates back to the 14th century, was once a residence for a cardinal and received a Baroque facade in the 17th century. Restored by the Stein family between 1987 and 1990, it now features an 18th-century ambiance, a Michelin-starred restaurant, and views of the Palais des Papes. Martin Stein, who passed away in 2023, oversaw the property.

Key facts

  • Sophie Calle's 2013 performance 'Chambre 20' at Hotel La Mirande during Festival d'Avignon.
  • Calle's 1979 work 'Les dormeurs' involved 29 people sleeping in her bed, photographed hourly.
  • Calle is exhibiting 'Finir en beauté' at Rencontres de la Photographie, Arles until September 29.
  • Hotel La Mirande dates from the 14th century as a cardinal's residence.
  • 17th-century Baroque facade by Pierre Mignard.
  • Home of the Pamard family; Pierre Pamard was mayor of Avignon 1863-1875.
  • Featured in Jacques Rivette's 1966 film 'La Religieuse' with Anna Karina.
  • Film was censored before being allowed at Cannes by André Malraux.
  • Stein family purchased the hotel and restored it 1987-1990.
  • Restoration by architect Gilles Grégoire and designer François-Joseph Graf.
  • 26 rooms with period wallpaper from La Manch and Braquenié, reprinted by Maison Pierre Frey.
  • Michelin-starred restaurant by chef Florent Piétravalle.
  • Martin Stein (died 2023) managed the hotel after his parents.

Entities

Artists

  • Sophie Calle

Institutions

  • Hotel La Mirande
  • Festival d'Avignon
  • Rencontres de la Photographie
  • Cryptoportiques
  • Palais des Papes
  • Maison Pierre Frey
  • La Manch
  • Braquenié

Locations

  • Avignon
  • France
  • Arles
  • Chelsea
  • Londra
  • Provenza

Sources