Cezanne Exhibition in Aix-en-Provence

Over 10 years ago, I was lucky enough to go to Aix-en-Provence: And visit the sites that provided Paul Cézanne with endless inspiration. We had as our guide Philippe Cros, an art expert who was at the time the director and curator of the Bemberg Art Foundation in Toulouse. This trip remains one of my special memories. So I cannot wait to see the must-see Cézanne retrospective in Aix which opens on 28 June. And I encourage anyone living in or visiting the South of France to book their tickets right now.

Musée Granet

The Musée Granet is hosting the major international exhibition Cézanne au Jas de Bouffan. A unique selection of over 130 works, including oils on canvas, drawings and watercolours, will help you uncover Cézanne’s private life. And discover the lifelong bond between the artist and his family home. These priceless works have been loaned from collections around the world. Museums such as the Musée d’Orsay, but also Chicago, London, Los Angeles, Tokyo and Zurich to name but a few.
It’s a once in a lifetime opportunity to admire an impressive collection of Cezanne’s most iconic paintings in one single location.

Le Jas de Bouffan, Cézanne’s Family Home

In 1859 the artist’s father bought the Jas de Bouffan, situated to the West of the city. It would be Cézanne’s family home for four decades. It was here that, at the age of 20, he painted his earliest works, some of which were recently discovered in the ‘Grand Salon‘. And his most famous masterpieces came to life in his second floor studio, set up by his father. Sadly Cézanne had to sell the family home in 1899. But amazingly, a park of nearly five hectares is still home to the Jas de Bouffan, which has hardly changed since Cézanne’s day.

Studio des Lauves, the Artist’s Studio

After selling the family home and moving to the city centre, Cezanne purchased a plot of land on a hill named Les Lauves. Here, he built a studio where he produced his final paintings and completed his Large Bathers, now on display at the Barnes Foundation in Philadelphia. In 2016, the City of Aix-en-Provence acquired a neighbouring plot to make it easier to access the site. Having visited his studio, which is just as it was when he lived here, I can say that it is a truly moving experience.

The Bibemus Quarries

No visit to Cézanne‘s Aix-en-Provence would be complete without exploring the new trail leading to the Bibémus quarries, to the east of the city. This 7 hectare rocky plateau has been hailed as the birthplace of Cubism. If you visit this place, you will instantly understand how this site inspired the artist. And why he kept coming back time after time, sometimes sleeping in a shed where he stored a few of his artworks. Cézanne completed 11 oil paintings and 16 watercolours in this unique landscape.

Practical Information

• To visit Musée Granet, you need to arrive at 15 rue Cardinale 30 minutes before the time of your booking. Any late arrival may result in you being refused entry.
• You need to make bookings online or at the Aix-en-Provence tourist office, 300 avenue Giuseppe Verdi. No tickets will be on sale at the Musée Granet.
• Please note that the Musée Granet is open every day from 9am-7pm except Thursdays when it is open between 12 noon and 10 pm.
• There is free entry for anyone under 18 years-old and students under 26 years-old.
• An audio-guide costs 5€ for an adult and 3€ for a child.
• Guided visits in English and French are available.