The prestigious Château de Mille rises again, like the phoenix, after the ups and downs of a long history. This estate was known well before the year 1250 (mid-thirteenth century). This residence, property of the Bishops of Apt, was also a secondary residence for the Popes of Avignon, in the heart of the Luberon. Its activities, primarily winegrowing, have been carried on without interruption. Evidence of this long saga can be found in the facsimiles of numerous archives displayed on the walls of one of the salons open to the public.
Three years ago, Laurence Slaughter and his wife fell in love with the entire estate, which had grown dusty and neglected. In record time, they began restoring the buildings and took the vineyards in hand to convert them to organic farming, all while respecting the site’s heritage.
To bring the place to life and make it accessible to everyone, in addition to the superb wine cellar, the owners decided to open salons and galleries to exhibitions and cultural activities.
What better choice for these first ventures than one of Hans Silvester’s photography collections, paired with part of the pottery collection from the Fondation Blachère. The picture rails are mounted on plain walls that set off Hans’s photographies, with a thoughtful scenography. With the same simplicity (perhaps a touch too minimalist), groups of pottery are presented with a stark austerity, at times somewhat unflattering.
Hans Silvester’s photographs are drawn from his collection known as « les Poules des Bench ». The Bench people, who live in altitude in southwestern Ethiopia, have developed a highly distinctive relationship with chickens. Their fowl are entirely domesticated, fully integrated into family life. This symbiosis affords the inhabitants great protection, ridding them of a host of parasites (scorpions, spiders, snakes, and so on). Everything is designed for this harmony, both in the architectural concepts of the dwellings and in their decorative expressions. Perfect material for beautiful photographs!
We had already seen these photographic images of Hans’s many times before, in very different contexts. Yet their charm still works thanks to the quality and spontaneity of the shots. A precisely composed structure, a meticulously balanced play of light, an appealing at times flattering distribution of color draw us in.
This very beautiful exhibition is set in a Provençal cocoon currently being reborn. I greatly appreciated the simplicity of the authentic spirit the owners wanted, achieved with such naturalness.
A detour along the small road to Bonnieux is a must, to visit this gem in the making.
Thierry Maindrault
EXHIBITION
LA POETIQUE DE LA TERRE
photographs & pottery
Château de Mille
2650 route de Bonnieux
84400 APT [FRANCE]
July 10 to October 9, 2026
Monday to Saturday
10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and 2:30 p.m. to 6 p.m.
Extended hours in July–August
10 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Website: www.chateau-de-mille.com
Email: [email protected]
