For its second life, the Customs House of Saint-Palais-sur-Mer is dedicated to contemporary art. Each year, an artist appropriates the place to exhibit his works during a temporary exhibition. The Royan Atlantique Agglomeration Community is bringing this building back to life by renovating it and dedicating it to artistic creation in a unique natural space opening onto the mouth of the Gironde estuary.
The Customs House, over time
In the XNUMXth century, the Ferme Générale set up an office above the conch of Saint-palais-sur-mer for the collection of trading rights on behalf of the King of France. Placed on a promontory, it controls the maritime traffic on the estuary, in particular the contraband.
After the French Revolution, the Ferme Générale disappeared and its office thus became the Customs Office. The town is then renamed Bureau-les-Bains (it will take the name of Saint-Palais-sur-Mer in 1920). Brigades borrow the Customs Trail to monitor the Atlantic coast. The building is occupied by customs until 2006 and will then be decommissioned.
The Royan Atlantique Agglomeration Community finally became the owner of the building in 2007 and decided in 2012 to transform it into cultural center dedicated to art and heritage. The Customs House then opens its doors to the public on 1er July 2017.
One season, one artist
For its first edition, the Customs House welcomes the wooden sculptures of Jephan de Villers. Thousands of figures seeming to come from a distant civilization invade the exhibition space.
In 2018, the contemporary artist Alben revisits Pop Art with creations diverting everyday life.
In 2021, it is the “multist” artist CharlÉlie Couture who takes over the Maison des Douanes. He exhibits his works between photos and paintings.
In 2022, the Corto Maltese exhibition pays tribute to its author Hugo Pratt.
In 2023, the “A Secret Garden” exhibition is a hit. This exhibition was born from a meeting between two artists, Rebecca Louise Law and Ayline Olukman. Their works respond to each other in a unique dialogue on nature and femininity. Each reveals through monumental floral installations, canvases, photographs or even sculptures, its definition of the secret garden.
On display this year
2024 highlights Jackie Kennedy's love for France through a series of photos, personal objects and documentaries.
The visitor is immersed in the intimacy of the family and discovers a little-known side of Jacqueline Bouvier Kennedy: a woman who is both fragile and determined. The exhibition “Jackie, America of the Kennedys” is inspired by David Lawrence's album. The author will be present for book signings on September 14 and 15. He will also offer guided tours. Workshops for the general public on the major artistic movements of the Kennedy era will punctuate the exhibition throughout the year.
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Discover the other exhibitions
Exposition – Le Centre d’Interprétation de l’Architecture et du Patrimoine
Exposition – Au cœur de l’Histoire d’une Cité Balnéaire
Exposition – Henri de Jordan (Alger 1944 – Royan 1996) Rétrospective
Nonobstant la fuite du temps – Photographie lituanienne d’aujourd’hui
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