Following the footsteps of Cézanne
The center of Aix en Provence, Cézanne’s workshop, The Tholonet, The Sainte Victoire, Jas de Bouffan family home, The Bimont Dam and Bibémus
Leaving your staying place, you will stop in Aix en Provence, Deluxe Drivers will take you for a historical trip through the centre of the old city where you will see the main places that relate to the Master, including his workshop, his family home, the church where he got married and his birth place. You will then drive to the Sainte Victoire Montagne area, taking Cézanne’s road up to the Tholonet, typical little town that he loved for its character and its natural site. After that, you will join the Bimont dam and its breathtaking view on the countryside trough the Bibémus quarries.Download the itinerary: Following the footsteps of Cézanne
The center of Aix en Provence
Aix was Cézanne’s hometown, where he was born and died. You will discover the places that marqued Cézanne’s life, the church where he got married, the Granet museum where the 2006 exhibition took place and the Mirabeau court, where he loved to have lunch at the Café des 2 Garçons.
Cézanne’s workshop
Find yourself immersed directly into the universe of Cezanne, on a visit to his Lauves workshop where many of his personal belongings and works are presented. Although he only lived there for the last 6 years of his life, it’s the place of birth of his main masterpieces.
Jas de Bouffan family home
Bought in 1859 by the painter’s father, it’s in this typical Provence house that Cézanne painted more than 40 canvases, 15 water colours and 17 sketches, over nearly 40 years. You will unfortunately not be able to see the inside of the house, under renovation.
The Tholonet
Le Tholonet was one of Paul Cezanne's favourite places. Its red soil, grey rock and intense blue sky all complemented by Mount Sainte-Victoire, offer a palette of extraordinary colours. You will discover the Château du Tholonet painted by Cezanne and cross in front of the "Relais Cézanne" then the small windmill an a figure in the image of Paul Cezanne which commemorates the centenary of his birth.
The Sainte Victoire
Deluxe Drivers will take you straight at the bottom of the Sainte Victoire for a stunning view on the mountain that Cézanne made famous.
The Bimont Dam and Bibémus
From 1888 to 1904 the Master explored the surrounding area of the Bibemus quarries and Bimont dam to study the density of the shapes and the richness of the colours, the geometric immensity that he represents on his canvas as a destination for everything in sight: a last glimpse of one of the most impressive landscapes painted by Cézanne.
Recommendations
Les Deux Garçons
The oldest brasserie in Aix en Provence (1792), Cézanne used to come there almost everyday with his close friends: Monnet, Renoir, Zola…
The “Relais Cézanne”
Named after that Cézanne carved one of the tables of the café, the relais Cézanne is a typical provençal brasserie where the artist used to have lunch during his Sainte Victoire sessions.
Suggestion for your day
The “painter's terrace”
Just above the Lauves workshop, your driver will introduce you to this unknown site, where many impressionist painters and specially Cézanne liked to appreciate the exclusive landscape on the Sainte Victoire.
