La Rocabella: cross-disciplinary artist residency near Toulon

La Rocabella, a Belle Époque villa built in 1898 by Hans-Georg Tersling, architect to Empress Eugénie, has been transformed into an interdisciplinary artist residency in Le Pradet near Toulon, France. Purchased in 2019 by Jean-Baptiste Rudelle, co-founder of Criteo and philanthropist focused on marine ecosystems, the residency is fully funded by him. It hosts around sixty artists per season across three two-month sessions from November 2025 to April 2026, each with a unifying theme; the latest is 'Les Gardiennes de la mer' (Guardians of the Sea), referencing Greek mythology and contemporary women protecting the Mediterranean. The program integrates ceramic sculpture, comic art, documentary film, and music. Ceramic residents work under sculptor Thomas Lévy; comic artists are mentored by publisher François Rissel of Art uP; documentary filmmakers collaborate through the association Mains à l'œuvre, co-founded by Marie Bouadjenak and Clara Yvard; and musicians from conflict zones are hosted by Pax Musica, founded by Hélène Daccord. Notable residents include Angélique de Chabot, Robin Kerr, Olivia Stora, Camille Romagnani, Sixtine Dano, Charles Nogier, Magali Cazo, and Constantin Zamfiresco. The residency emphasizes cross-pollination: a comic artist draws birds for a ceramicist's bas-reliefs, musicians compose soundtracks for documentaries. A public presentation of all works takes place May 1–3, 2026 at La Rocabella.