LES GÉOLOGIES DU RÊVE
Fort Sainte-Agathe
JULIAN CHARRIÈRE
Carte Blanche
VERTIGO 2021-2025
Onyx, engine, lamp and soundtrack
Coproduced by Fondation Carmignac and the artist.
A committed artist for the environmental cause, Julian Charrière (Switzerland, 1987) is occupying the dome of Fort Sainte-Agathe for the second year, until autumn 2026.
Inspired by the story of Agatha of Catania, who gave her name to the fort and is invoked for protection against, among other things, earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, and fires, Julian Charrière invites us to take a meditative dive into the entrails of the Earth.
In the middle of the room, on a misty platform, a luminous cylinder rotates, suspended above a block of onyx from which it has been extracted. Perforated by vertical slits, this rotating heart illuminates the surrounding space with its rays.
The artist invites us to lie down around the stone, rest our heads on the carved charcoal pillow and close our eyelids. In the silence, we hear the sounds of two volcanoes : Geldingadalir (Island) et Erta Ale (Ethiopia).
Like an inner lighthouse, this luminous, hypnotic device can be contemplated with eyes closed, inviting us to a meditation inspired by Brion Gysin's historic Dreamachine (1960).
In this moment of active rest, two geological giants exchange with us in an unknown language, a dialogue with the mineral world made possible by a state between dream and reality.
Rates
Full rate : 5 €
Villa Carmignac visitor rate: €2.50
(on presentation of a Villa Carmignac ticket)
Ticket office
Fort Sainte-Agathe
Schedules
VERTIGO exhibition : 26 April to 2 November, Tuesday to Sunday
Schedules for the 2025 season :
- April to June and September to November: 10am to 6pm (last admission: 4pm to 4.30pm)
- July and August: 10am to 7pm (last admission: 5pm to 5.30pm), extended opening on Thursdays: 10am to 10pm (last admission: 8pm to 8.30pm)
Useful information
Dogs are not allowed, except for assistance dog.
Soft shoes are recommended to visit the gardens, you will need to take them off when visiting the building. Exhibitions can be discovered barefoot.
Pushchairs should be left at the entrance of the Villa. They are not allowed inside the building. A front-facing baby carrier may be required. The pushchairs can be retrieved for the garden tour.
Bicycles are not allowed on the site (bicycle parking is available for visitors).
For safety reasons, liquids (water bottles, flasks etc ) and backpacks are not allowed in the indoor areas.
Bags larger than 35x25x20cm must be deposited in lockers at the site entrance.
Villa Carmignac is located on a protected site, rich in several rare and sensitive plant species. We ask our visitors to respect the regulations of the Port-Cros National Park, in particular the prohibition of smoking, littering, picnicking or picking plants.
Come and visit us
Click on the bubbles in the interactive map to consult the websites of the ports and get more information.
PORT DE LA TOUR FONDUE
Public shuttle : TLV company, reservation recommended during the summer period, click Hyères on the map above for more information.
Taxi Boat : Taxi Pelican
Traffic : during the summer period, if you plan to arrive between 9 am and midday and leave between 5 pm and 7 pm, we advise you to use other ports (see the list of ports of embarkation to Porquerolles Island on the site of Tourist Office).
Parking : paid parking, reservation is recommended here.
Crossing : 15 min