Les Gardiennes de la Mer: Over 70 Artists in Residence at La Rocabella

Written by Lucas Leschave | Published on 26 February 2026

Residency

One Creative Residency, One Territory, One Theme

Nestled in the commune of Le Pradet, in the Var region of southern France, La Rocabella has established itself as a place of life and creation where artists and territory enter into dialogue. This season, Les Gardiennes de la Mer brings together dozens of resident artists to explore, experiment and create.

The theme is a deliberate choice: it evokes both the feminine figures bound to the sea and the contemporary urgency of protecting marine ecosystems. Between memory and emergency, heritage and future, the works born from these residencies carry a voice that is at once deeply personal and universally resonant.

Learn more about La Rocabella and its philosophy — L'Esprit Roca

Over 70 Artists in Immersion

From November 2025 to April 2026, over 70 artists — sculptors, musicians, photographers, comic book authors, documentary filmmakers, writers and screenwriters — have settled into the spaces of La Rocabella, allowing the territory to permeate their practice.

The breadth of disciplines reflects the ambition and richness of this artist residency programme in the South of France:

Sculpture: forms that engage with raw matter, water, salt and stone.
Music: compositions born from the breath of the sea, the voices and silences of the shoreline.
Photography: gazes that capture the memory of women of the sea and the fragile beauty of the coast.
Comics: graphic narratives that give shape to marine legends and realities.
Documentary film: works that dive into the human and ecological depths of the subject.
Writing: novels and screenplays that explore the relationship between women, the sea and the passage of time.

Each artist benefits from dedicated immersion time, tailored support and opportunities to share their work with local residents and visitors.

Discover the profile of each resident artist on the Residents page

La Rocabella: A Setting for Contemporary Art in Provence

La Rocabella is more than a residency venue — it is a living project rooted in the belief that art transforms territories. By welcoming artists in residence, it creates the conditions for authentic creation, free from the usual pressures of production.

Set in the heart of Le Pradet, a stone's throw from the Mediterranean, La Rocabella offers a singular environment where nature, light and the coastal heritage of the Var nourish every creative gesture. Les Gardiennes de la Mer embodies this vision: giving time, space and meaning — and allowing works to emerge through a constant dialogue between the artist, the place and the surrounding community.

Public Showcase: 1–3 May 2026

These residencies do not close in on themselves. After six months of creation, La Rocabella opens its doors for three days of public showcase, from 1 to 3 May 2026.

Discover the works produced during the residencies in all their diversity
Meet the artists and engage with their creative approaches
Attend performances, screenings, readings and concerts in an exceptional setting
Come together to celebrate the sea, women and artistic creation

Public Showcase — Les Gardiennes de la Mer
1–3 May 2026 — La Rocabella, Le Pradet (Var, France)
Full programme and access details coming soon.

Experience Les Gardiennes de la Mer

Whether you are an art enthusiast, a lover of contemporary art on the Mediterranean, a passionate advocate for women and the sea, or simply passing through Le Pradet, La Rocabella welcomes you.

Follow the latest news on Instagram: @residencesrocabella

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The creative residency facing the sea.