In Marseille, as well as in the Pays d’Aix and around the Étang de Berre, the Printemps de l’Art Contemporain (PAC) brings together over 390 artists and 65 cultural venues for a vibrant and committed celebration of contemporary creation over three weekends. Open your eyes—and your mind!
Conceived by the Provence Art Contemporain network and its partners, this festival highlights the richness and diversity of the local art scene, affirming a collective commitment to artists, art professionals, and the public.
“The role of the artist is exactly the same as that of the lover. If I love you, I have to make you conscious of the things you don’t see.”
— James Baldwin, The Creative Process (1962)
For three weeks, performances, exhibitions, and special events unfold across Marseille — especially during a major opening weekend from May 2 to 4 — as well as in Aix-en-Provence, the countryside around Rognes, Rousset, and Châteauneuf-le-Rouge, and around the Étang de Berre in Port-de-Bouc, Istres, and Miramas.
Outdoor Performances: Contemporary Art Takes to the Streets
During the Printemps de l’Art Contemporain, ten performances take over public spaces in Marseille, Aix-en-Provence, Châteauneuf-le-Rouge, and Port-de-Bouc.
Collectively imagined by the PAC network’s member organizations, this program highlights the expressive power of performance — a living, political, and liberating art form — unfolding across ten emblematic locations throughout the region.
Three Weekends of Art Trails Through Provence
The Printemps de l’Art Contemporain invites you to explore Marseille, Aix-en-Provence, and the surrounding landscapes through three weekends of artistic strolls featuring exhibitions, performances, and encounters.
Weekend 1 (Opening): “Make the Bridge, Make the PAC!”
(Click the dates for the full program)
Marseille
Discover 47 art venues spread across different neighborhoods, with exhibition openings, DJ sets, and special events throughout the city.
Day 1: Friday, May 2 · Belsunce, Panier, Joliette, Longchamp, Chapitre, Belle de Mai, Bougainville, Plombières, Estaque
Day 2: Saturday, May 3 · Opéra, Préfecture, Cours Julien, Camas, La Blancarde, Saint-Victor, Malmousque
Day 3: Sunday, May 4 · Southern districts & Seaside areas
Weekend 2: “Victory is Ours!”
Aix-en-Provence and the Pays d’Aix
On Saturday, explore the historic center of Aix on foot; on Sunday, hop on a shuttle through the scenic landscapes of the Pays d’Aix to Sainte-Victoire.
Day 4: Saturday, May 10 · Walking tour in Aix-en-Provence
Day 5: Sunday, May 11 · Shuttle tour through the Pays d’Aix
Weekend 3: “Get Ready for a Trip Out West”
Étang de Berre & Closing Festivities
Port-de-Bouc, Istres, and Miramas open their art venues for one last circuit along the water’s edge, followed by a big closing party in Luminy from 4 PM to 11 PM.
Day 6: Saturday, May 17 · Shuttle circuit around the Étang de Berre
Day 7: Sunday, May 18 · PAC Closing Party!
See the map of venues and routes HERE.
