The Petit Palais-Louvre Museum in Avignon has experienced a remarkable surge in visitor numbers this summer, with attendance doubling since the beginning of the season. This unprecedented increase is attributed to two major exhibitions and the installation of a temporary garden that has transformed the museum's entrance into a unique sensory experience.

Upon exiting the underground parking garage of the Palace of the Popes, visitors are immediately captivated by a striking two-meter-tall astrolabe created by artist Jean-Michel Orthonel. However, the real surprise awaits them in the form of an unexpected garden installation. This green oasis features 20 potted trees, a 23-meter-long water basin, misting systems, benches, and nearly 400 flourishing plants spread across the large cobblestone square in front of the Petit Palais Museum.

The temporary installation, which cost €350,000 to create, serves as a welcome respite from Avignon's intense summer heat. This botanical sanctuary transforms the approach to the museum into a truly immersive sensory journey. The garden of curiosities, as it has been dubbed, will remain in place only temporarily – lasting through the restoration work period of the Rocher des Doms and scheduled to be removed next spring.

This ephemeral garden installation is part of a broader municipal initiative that has been developing over several years, aimed at revitalizing the historic city center through heritage preservation, ecological enhancement, and social renewal. The city's comprehensive approach includes the implementation of a Heritage Preservation and Enhancement Plan (PSMV) for the area within the medieval walls, supported by a Local Urban Planning Scheme (PLU).

The ambitious urban renewal project seeks to rebalance city usage patterns, enhance public spaces, and encourage families and businesses to return to the heart of Avignon. Several areas have already benefited from these improvements, including Place Saint-Didier, the Carnot-Carreterie axis, and Rue des Trois Faucons. These renovations have included expanding pedestrian zones, planting trees, and installing public seating areas to create more welcoming urban environments.