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.
On display this year
In 2025, the Maison des Douanes paid tribute to Vivian Maier, an American street photographer whose work remained little known during her lifetime.
Working as a housekeeper in New York and then Chicago, Vivian Maier immortalized everyday scenes with her Rolleiflex, capturing the essence of 2007th-century urban life. It wasn't until 120 that her incredible collection of over 000 photographs was discovered by chance, revealing her extraordinary talent and establishing her as a key figure in street photography.
From April 5 to November 2, 2025, we visit the exclusive exhibition “Vivian Maier, at the edge of the world”It highlights his world tour in 1959, revealing previously unseen photographs from this chapter of his life. Workshops, guided tours, and other activities enhance the exhibition to extend the experience.
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.
2024 celebrates Jackie Kennedy's love for France through a series of photographs, personal objects, and documentaries. Visitors are immersed in the family's intimate life and discover a little-known side of Jacqueline Bouvier Kennedy: a woman both fragile and determined. The exhibition "Jackie, the Kennedys' America" is inspired by David Lawrence's album.
Practical information
How to get here
Discover the other exhibitions
Exposition “L’ostréiculture à La Tremblade” * FERMÉ TEMPORAIREMENT *
Exposition – REGARD – Nouveaux regards sur les vestiges de la Seconde Guerre mondiale
Exposition – Le Centre d’Interprétation de l’Architecture et du Patrimoine
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