Var Cork Days and the Peony Festival at Villa Noailles!

Saturday, April 25 from 1 PM to 6 PM
Award ceremony at 3 PM
Sunday, April 26 from 10 AM to 6 PM

Quercus suber is the Latin name for the cork oak, an emblematic tree of the Mediterranean basin whose bark has been harvested since Antiquity for its unique properties: lightness, waterproofing, thermal and acoustic insulation.

In the Var region, this historic industry is now under threat. Where 10,000 tonnes of cork were harvested per year a century ago, only 250 tonnes are produced today. It is to address this challenge that Villa Noailles has been partnering for several years with the Forêt Modèle de Provence association, co-organizing the Quercus Suber competition, open to designers and craftspeople wishing to work with and promote local cork.

In 2026, 28 finalists — students from leading design schools such as École Boulle, ENSCI, and École Camondo Méditerranée, as well as professionals and independent studios — are competing in two categories: Design and Wood Turning.

The works will be exhibited during the Cork Days on April 25 and 26, and then throughout the summer, the design competition works will be displayed as part of Design Parade (June 26 – August 30).

The prizes will be awarded by:

Nawal Bakouri,
Director of the Higher School of Art and Design Toulon Provence Méditerranée

Victor Ravel,
Designer, Poterie Ravel

Emma François,
Founder of the brand Sessun

François Champsaur,
Designer & Interior Architect

In partnership with
Forêt Modèle de Provence,
the Escoulen Wood Turning School
and Mériguet-Carrère

Scenography: Joachim Jirou-Najou

Peony Festival
Sunday, April 26 from 10 AM to 6 PM

Sale of fresh peonies by local horticulturists:
Jean-Pierre Pontic, La Pivoine du Sud, Les Pétales d’Alex, Les fleurs de Paul, Thomas Pustel, Mathieu Quentel, Jean-Louis Aiguier

Villa Noailles Boutique Sale
Saturday, April 25 from 1 PM to 6 PM
Sunday, April 26 from 10 AM to 6 PM

Free admission