In this typical 18th-century Arlesian house, Léna has successfully highlighted contemporary art while making Casa Misra an intimate artist’s retreat in the heart of the city
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Arles
Villa Benkemoun
In Arles, an iconic villa boasting modernist architecture typical of the seventies
Make a booking request
For architecture and design enthusiasts, Villa Benkemoun is a must-visit: a stunning white 70s building designed by architect Emile Sala.
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Arles
Villa Benkemoun
In Arles, an iconic villa boasting modernist architecture typical of the seventies
Make a booking request
For architecture and design enthusiasts, a must-visit is Villa Benkemoun, a white building from the 1970s straight out of the imagination of architect Emile Sala.
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In Arles, an iconic villa boasting modernist architecture typical of the seventies
Make a booking request
"When you walk through the door, you enter an entirely different atmosphere: that of the 1970s."
In the early 1970s, Simone and Pierre Benkemoun commissioned their architect friend Emile Sala to design a family home in Arles—a living space they wanted to be transparent and open. Sala envisioned a 500 m² white villa with fluid, dynamic spaces, flexible volumes, and a play of light and shadow.
Once a private jewel, Villa Benkemoun and its one-hectare grounds, complete with a swimming pool, now welcome 12 (privileged) holidaymakers. This property has been awarded the “Patrimoine du XXᵉ siècle” label by the French Ministry of Culture, making it a delight for architectural enthusiasts.
Seventies nostalgia
The mantelpiece made of metal sheets by the sculptor Max Sauzé.
Living every architect’s dream, Emile Sala approached the Villa Benkemoun project with great freedom. He wanted his clients to play a real role in the design of their future home, so he entrusted the Benkemouns with an “information notebook,” where they were asked to record their living habits. Inspired by their daily lives, Sala imagined a family villa with spaces guaranteeing comfort and privacy for its inhabitants. This translates into a certain independence between the parents’ bedroom on the first floor and the children’s bedrooms upstairs. The communal living areas, such as the kitchen and dining room, are generously proportioned for convivial moments. Today, the house comprises three double suites and two triple suites, accommodating twelve guests. What we love about Villa Benkemoun is that it’s a jewel of design where you feel at home !
A home
anchored in the landscape
Influenced by the work of Le Corbusier, Emile Sala favored curves to give the space a softer feel, rather than more classic straight lines. The house seems to follow the curves of the garden, creating a harmony between the building and its surroundings that we really like. Some rooms are circular, others elliptical, and still others Y-shaped.
Certain elements anchor the house in its environment: towers reminiscent of Provencal dovecotes, the rendering, and southern exposure to protect the house from the Mistral wind. The result? A house that exudes softness and a feeling of freedom, where it’s truly enjoyable to spend time.
"The circulation in the villa is reminiscent of haciendas or riads, built around a patio."
The new life
of a family home
In 2017, Brigitte Benkemoun, daughter of the original owners and someone who grew up in the villa, decided to continue bringing it to life by opening it up to as many people as possible. Alongside her husband, Thierry Demaizière, they set about restoring the villa, preserving as much of its original condition and layout as possible while complementing it with period furniture, mostly hunted down by the family over the years. After a thorough facelift, the villa was restored to its original bright complexion.
More recently, the Villa Benkemoun Association was established with the aim of developing cultural activities, notably through exhibitions, conferences, and artist residencies. The villa, which celebrates its 50th anniversary in 2024, is now a permanent stage for a “dialogue between its architecture and contemporary art in all its forms” and adds to the long list of exceptional sites in Arles. This architectural and design treasure is also a highly sought-after vacation home. The numerous services offered promise a memorable stay: private chef, concierge, exclusive activities, and special touches… The ideal pied-à-terre during the Rencontres d’Arles or other cultural festivities that the city is known for!
The hidden neighbor
of the Villa Benkemoun
A few meters from Villa Benkemoun, hidden behind a dense hedge, you can catch a glimpse of Villa Bank! If you notice similarities between the two buildings, it’s because they were designed by the same architect. The shared history of the Bank and Benkemoun villas involves two families, the Banks and the Benkemouns, whose spouses decided to jointly purchase a large property for sale in the 1970s. The choice of a common architect quickly became evident, as both families knew Emile Sala and appreciated his previous projects. Thus began the adventure of the Bank and Benkemoun Villas…
Behind the trees separating the two villas, the Villa Bank can be seen.
The 3 things
we love the most
Large indoor and outdoor spaces
Travel in the 1970s
Close to Arles, yet in a quiet location
Gallery
See all the pictures
Destination Arles
Villa Benkemoun
13200, Arles, France
Transports
Arles train station
11 min
Nîmes Pont-du-Gard train station
29 min
Avignon - Provence airport
48 min
Restaurants
Páou (Mediterranean tapas)
10 min
Mesa (Bistro, seasonal cuisine)
11 min
Hôtel Présent rooftop
11 min
Inari (Franco-Vietnamese fusion cuisine)
12 min
La Cachette (sandwiches, local and seasonal cuisine)
16 min
L'Épicerie du Cloître (seasonal Mediterranean cuisine)
16 min
Shops and Craft workshops
Moustique (home decor store)
13 min
Le Sauvage - pain et fleurs (bakery)
13 min
Bigourdan - Distillery of Camargue
15 min
Le buste et l’oreille (wine bar & books shop)
16 min
Nature, Culture and Heritage
LUMA Arles
6 min
Arènes d’Arles
13 min
Lee Ufan museum
14 min
Rencontres de la photographie
16 min
Van Gogh museum
30 min
Villa Benkemoun
13200, Arles, France
Turn it up!
Get inspired!
1.
Orange Tamtam stool
2.
« Arles contemporaine » book
3.
« Je suis le carnet de Dora Maar » novel
