Michel Degav, painter in Mauritius: gallery and workshop in Grand Baie

Mauritius is not just a destination for beaches and lagoons—it's also an island that inspires artists. Michel Degav, an internationally renowned contemporary French painter, has chosen Mauritius as one of his preferred creative locations. His gallery in Grand Baie and his studio in Pointe aux Canonniers have become essential stops for art lovers visiting the island.

Summary

• The artist: Michel Degav
• A signature technique: knife painting
• The Degav gallery in Grand Baie
• The workshop at Pointe aux Canonniers
• Useful information

The artist: Michel Degav

Born in 1973, Michel Degav is a French painter whose career is as unique as it is inspiring. From a young age, he developed a particular sensitivity to nature, color, and light. After starting out in watercolor and portraiture in Nice, he settled in the south of France where his career truly took off.

His story is also one of personal struggle: forced to undergo surgery to remove a large part of his left lung, he found himself temporarily paralyzed on his left side—a tragedy for this left-handed artist. It was precisely this ordeal that unleashed a new creative energy within him, a thirst for beauty and sharing that is reflected in each of his canvases. As he himself expresses it:

“Expressing my feelings and dreams with strength and spontaneity is my approach. Each of my paintings has a life of its own, in accordance with a particular feeling. My paintings are the true reflection of my emotions.”

Since 2002, he has exhibited in private galleries in France (Saint-Paul-de-Vence, Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat, Antibes), the United States (Palm Beach, Palm Desert), as well as in Monaco and Spain. His works are part of private collections in some twenty countries, from France to Japan, and from the United States to Australia. Mauritius is one of his regular creative destinations, where he captures the light and landscapes with particular intensity.

To learn more about his career: Full biography available at artdesignmd.com.

A signature technique: knife painting

What immediately distinguishes Michel Degav's works is his mastery of the knife painting (or with a palette knife). Where others use a brush, Michel Degav applies color directly to the canvas with a spatula, creating raised textures, material effects and a visual depth that give his paintings an almost tactile presence.

His favorite subjects in Mauritius are the tropical landscapes and the marines Azure lagoon, lush vegetation, luminous skies, boats sailing on the Indian Ocean. The colors are vivid, bold, luminous—just like the island itself. The result is instantly recognizable: a vibrant, energetic painting that captures the essence of Mauritius better than any photograph.

Discover her creations online at artdesignmd.com.

The Degav gallery in Grand Baie

Located on Sunset Boulevard in Grand BaieThe Degav Gallery is an elegant exhibition space that permanently displays original paintings as well as limited-edition canvas prints, available in various sizes. It's the ideal place for visitors who wish to leave Mauritius with an authentic work of art as a souvenir—or simply for the pleasure of discovery.

The gallery is open to everyone, without reservation, during opening hours. Whether you're a seasoned collector or simply curious, a visit is well worthwhile if you're in Grand Baie.

The workshop at Pointe aux Canonniers

For a more intimate and authentic experience, Michel Degav also opens his Pointe aux Canonniers workshop to visitors. This is where the artist works, creates and experiments. Seeing a painter at work in his own creative space — canvases in progress, knives, colors mixed — is a rare and striking experience, very different from a visit to a gallery.

The workshop visit takes place By appointment onlyTo arrange your visit, contact the artist or their team directly at the address degav@mme.com.

Useful information

Galerie Degav — Grand Baie

• Address : Sunset Boulevard, Grand Baie
• Hours: Monday to Saturday, 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM
• Entrance : free
• Website: artdesignmd.com

Michel Degav Workshop — Pointe aux Canonniers

• Address : Pointe aux Canonniers
• Access : By appointment only
• Contact : degav@me.com

Online store

Michel Degav's works are also available for purchase online through his shop: galerie-31.com.

Warning : The information contained in this article (opening hours, contact details) is provided for informational purposes only and reflects our best understanding of the situation at the time of writing (March 2026). We recommend that you verify the information directly with the gallery before your visit. ilemaurice.im cannot be held responsible for any inaccuracies or changes that may have occurred since publication.