Aujourd'hui Aujourd'hui (≈ 2025)
Position de référence.
Key figures
Paul Arbaud - Collector and legatee
Founded the museum and left its collection
Lucas de Montigny - Legate
Forwards the Mirabeau fonds
Mme de Martel (Gyp) - Last descendant Mirabeau
Légua portraits and family archives
Origin and history
The Musée de la faience Paul Arbaud was born from the passion of a collector, Paul Arbaud, who brought together a remarkable collection of faiences, paintings, sculptures and archives. When he died, he left this collection at the Academy of Sciences, Agriculture, Arts and Belles-Letters in Aix, whose museum became the headquarters. The fund is enriched by bequests, such as that of the Mirabeau family, transmitted by Lucas de Montigny and Mme de Martel (known as Gyp), the last descendant.
The museum is distinguished by its collection of 18th-century Provencal faiences from the major workshops of Moustiers, Marseille, Apt, Avignon and Varages. There are also rare pieces such as a Flemish triptych of the 14th century, wooden sculptures, and a library of more than 1,600 manuscripts (XIVth–XXth centuries), including parliamentary archives, local monographs and private funds, such as those of the Mirabeau family.
The 19th century mansion that houses the museum is labeled Museum of France. Its official address, 2A rue du Quatre-Septembre, makes it a central place for the study of decorative arts, local history and bibliophilia in Provence. The site also maintains archives on Provencal institutions, trades and families, strengthening its heritage role.
