Villa Arson, Alley of Cypresses

The modern buildings are beginning to surround the old Villa (western side of the galerie des Cyprès).

Cypress Alley follows the west side of building 3, the old Villa, and buildings 4 and 5. It has been entirely preserved.

The beginning of Cypress Alley runs along the north – west part of building 3, which houses the exhibition spaces of the current National Center for Contemporary Art.

The alley runs along the west side of the domain, it is the longest Cypress Alley of the region. A stairway leads back to Auditorium Alley, which runs across the building perpendicularly.

The beginning of Cypress Alley runs along the north – west part of building 3, which houses the exhibition spaces of the current National Center for Contemporary Art.

Facing the row of cypresses, niches have been created to house the reproductions of antique statues belonging to the Ecole Nationale des Arts Décoratifs in Nice.

In this part of the alley the foundation wall has niches with modern plaster reproductions of ancient sculptures. With this layout the architect has brought together figurative and pointillist elements.

In numerous spaces the upper levels are overhanging. This makes the fortress-like architecture look lighter, it increases the floor area and creates circulation spaces sheltered from the rain and sun.

These statues come from the gardens of the old estate. They look towards the south, along the path that continues Cypress Alley and indicates the end of the property.

Before one even distinguishes the architecture underneath, one can see how, in accordance with Michel Marot's project, the greenery determines the layout of the buildings.

The end of the domain, with buildings 4 and 5 surrounded by greenery. One can see the end of the alley of cypresses and the passage that prolongs it where three neoclassical statues have been placed inside niches. The ensemble looks like a fortress paradoxically trying to be discreet.