Located at 8 rue de Mons, in the elegant hôtel de Crochans dating back to the 17th century, Maison Jean Vilar is a cultural and archival center dedicated to the director, actor, and founder of the Avignon Festival in 1947. Managed by the Jean Vilar Association in collaboration with the Bibliothèque nationale de France, it is a unique place to understand the history of modern theater in France.
The structure preserves the complete collections and archives of the Avignon Festival and the Théâtre National Populaire, including programs, posters, photographs, audiovisual materials, costumes, models, and writings. The specialized library offers over 39,000 volumes and periodicals, available for free consultation by scholars, enthusiasts, or the curious.
Since July 2025, the building has hosted the permanent exhibition "Les Clés du Festival," an immersive and multimedia journey that retraces the adventure of the Avignon Festival from its inception to today, rich in images, testimonies, and historical documents.