LE RAYOL-CANADEL-SUR-MER: Heritage - The historic pergola of the Domaine du Rayol restored

In Rayol-Canadel-sur-Mer (Var), the iconic pergola of the Domaine du Rayol will be inaugurated this Saturday after a year of meticulous restoration.

The Domaine du Rayol, classified as a Jardin Remarquable, is preparing to celebrate the rebirth of one of its architectural gems. This Saturday, March 28, 2026, at 2 p.m., the large pergola that structures the landscape of the Jardin des Méditerranées will be officially inaugurated, marking the culmination of a major restoration project. The ceremony will be held in the presence of Philippe Van de Maele, Director of the Conservatoire du Littoral, owner of the site, and the many partners who worked to safeguard this iconic building.

Built around 1910 under the impetus of the Courmes family, founders of the estate, the pergola is one of the first structures built on the site. Composed of sixteen slender columns, it offers a unique perspective on the garden designed by landscape architect Gilles Clément and a majestic opening onto the Mediterranean Sea. Later embellished with a monumental staircase by the Potez family, it has been a central element of the visitor experience for over a century.

An essential restoration for an architectural gem

With over a century of existence, the structure was showing alarming signs of weakness. "While its distant silhouette had remained almost intact, its general condition had become critical," specifies the press release from the Conservatoire du littoral. The highly altered reinforced concrete beams and joists showed cracking, exposing the metal reinforcement, causing falling materials, and posing a risk to public safety. Some joists had even had to be removed following falling branches.

The project, which lasted a year, was entrusted to heritage experts. Under the direction of architect Caterina Politi from the Matonti-Politi Architecture et Patrimoine agency, the company A Chaux et Sable, specializing in the restoration of ancient buildings, carried out a meticulous intervention. The work included repairing the masonry, restoring the columns and capitals, repairing the concrete joists—replaced identically for the most damaged ones—and applying treatments to ensure the long-term preservation of the building.

Mobilization of public and private partners

The safeguarding of this heritage could not have been done without the joint mobilization of several actors. Commissioned by the Conservatoire du littoral, which acquired the estate in 1989 to ensure its definitive protection, the work benefited from the financial support of the State, via the DREAL PACA, and the Région Sud Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur.

Private sponsorship also played a crucial role, with the commitment of the Fondation Crédit Agricole Provence Côte d’Azur and the Fondation Crédit Agricole – Pays de France. Faithful partners of the Domaine du Rayol, these foundations confirm their ambition to "preserve remarkable sites, hand them down to future generations, and make them accessible to as many people as possible." Catherine Barnel, President of the Fondation d'Entreprise du Crédit Agricole Provence Côte d’Azur, will speak at the inauguration to highlight this commitment to local and national heritage.

An inauguration at the heart of spring festivities

This ceremony is part of the second edition of "Printania", a festive event organized by the Domaine du Rayol on March 28 and 29 to celebrate the arrival of spring. The weekend will be packed with numerous activities for all audiences: thematic visits to the Mediterranean maquis, screenings of films including "Il était une forêt" or "Renoir" (partly filmed on site), seedling workshops, the opening of the exhibition "Fuegophillia" by Amandine Guruceaga, and environmental awareness activities with the LPO and the association Explore & Preserve.

Article written from a press release sent to the editorial team