Journey to Provence, between Cézanne and Lumière

SortThe two genes that, still today, arouse emotions and amazement. The first surprises with colors and brushes, the second with a black “monster” and crustling. In common they have the sky and the land of the south of France and 2025. Who are they? The painter Paul Cézanne and Louis Lumière, inventor of the cinema together with his brother Auguste. Characters and stories that return from the past to return with renewed vitality in the Departments of Provence and Bocche del Rhone: this year they celebrate them with various events. One more reason to treat yourself to a trip to these territories, flooded with the unmistakable light of French South.

It starts from the fresh aix-en-provider of mention: It was included in the list of “52 places to go in 2025” drawn up by New York Times. The town celebrates its favorite son Paul Cézanne with events to mark on the agenda. The Grannet Museum From 28 June to 12 October he sets up the exhibition Cézanne au jas de buffan With about 130 works by the painter from prestigious museumslike the Musée d’Orsay in Paris and the Moma of New York. Always In June, the Atelier des Lauves will be reopened, where the artist created famous canvases, and his family home, the Bastide du Jas de Bouffan, in the countryside. In addition, there are the new paths in the Carrières de Bibémus, the quarries portrayed by the painter.

Provence, geometric stone inspirations

In short, the year dedicated to the master (Cezanne2025.com) is an opportunity to rediscover the locality and the surrounding area with different eyes. It is enough to go between the scenographic Bibémus quarriesimmersed in a vast pine forest, to be catapulted into an intriguing adventure over time. Walking on the paths, inhaling the air that smells of pine, you are amazed as children in front of the gigantic boulders who enchanted Cézanne: mighty red rocks, gray and ocher yellow, protagonists not only of the landscape. They were cut by the Romans to build the ancient Aquae Sextiae (the current Aix-en-Provence), then were exploited in the seventeenth century to build the Mazarin district, the first luxury residential neighborhood, finally They were enhanced by the painter who raised them to his natural muse, together with the beloved Sainte-Victoire mountain that appears on the horizon among the trees. A curiosity: along the pedestrian paths in the bibémus quarries the reproductions of the paintings of Cézanne, placed in the points where the artist painted them, generate the feeling of observing the panorama with his eyes. In the quarries it is accessed only with guided tours.

Among the historical houses of Aix-en-Provence

But other surprises await travelers in the town. Despite notoriety, Aix has maintained the authentic Provencal character and a refined architectural elegance Visible in the Particulier Hôtel. That is, the aristocratic buildings of the late seventeenth and eighteenth centuries – about 160 – to be seen also with the guided tour organized on Friday morning by the tourism office (aixenprovrencetourism.com). Among the sumptuous homes, the Hôtel Estienne de Saint-Jean stand out which hosts the Musée du Vieil Aix, with works of art and historic findsthe; The Hôtel Boyer d’Eguilles, which has become the natural aroma-zone cosmetics shop; And the Hôtel de Caumont – art center, equipped with an internal garden and restaurant (excellent for a lunch break, to be enjoyed in the retro rooms), while on the first floor two historic rooms are visited, belonging to the Caumont family.

The chapel of the Master of Modern Art

This building, in the Mazarin district, is not far from Grannet Museum and the Grannet XXTH, Jean Planque Collection (they are located a few hundred meters from each other), not to be missing absolutely. The first, inaugurated in 1838 in the former Priory of the adjacent Church of San Giovanni di Malta (was the first Gothic church of Provence), permanently exhibited nine canvases of Cézanne and about 750 works, between paintings and sculptures, from the XIV to the twentieth century of artists of the caliber of Rembrandt, Gauguin and Alberto Giacometti. The second, on the other hand, opened in 2013 captures the attention both for the preparation in the former white penitent chapel of 1654, and for the Jean Planque collection of modern art, and exhibits Picasso, Léger and Van Gogh.

Grasping the esprit comingçal

In a few steps you reach the Mirabeau course, the road that separates the Mazarin district and the medieval historic center. In the latter, characterized by honey -colored houses and the inevitable fountains, Between streets and squares the esprit archi is captured: An open -air tables theory of bar and bistrot, craft shops and daily rites. Like that of granting an espresso in the roasting of the builtrie (in Place Richelme 1) which offers 20 varieties of coffee from the world, and then buy in the oven le Madeleines de Christophe i Dolcetti Madeleines, baked in a continuous jet in Rue Gaston de Siporta 4, a few meters from the majestic cathedral of San Salvatore (XI-XVI century). Pleasant a break in the Parc Vendôme with French garden and the seventeenth-century Pavillon, wanted by Duke Luigi of Borbone-Vendôme to meet his lover Lucrèce de Forbin Solliès. Leaving the historic center The Vasarely Foundation Museum is a surprise, created by Victor Vasarely, father in the 60s-70s of the OP art, the abstract art based on optical illusions. The innovative modular structure (Renzo Piano also participated in the conception) houses 42 monumental works of the artist, who “deceive” the eyes with the effects of kinetic art. Management, however, outside the city (15 kilometers) is interesting the wine estate of 200 hectares château the coast: you walk between vineyards and olive groves following the contemporary art path with 46 works by international artists.

That lumière train

The scenario is changed to La Ciotat in the Bocche del Rodano Department (60 kilometers from Aix). It is a maritime city with a frank character, like that of the workers of the shipyards who made the fortune of the locality. Here, they built transatlantic and oil tanker, especially from 1836 to 1916, a golden age of construction sites. Corporate changes, economic crises and foreign competition decreed its inevitable closure. The turning point in 1994, when the factories were converted to the maintenance of yacht and super yacht, a new economic life for the town. Important, in La Ciotat, the link with the cinema that this year celebrates 130 years from birth, which took place in 1895. And here Louis Lumière enters the scene. In the summer of that year he shot in the town The arrival of a train en gare de la ciotat With the cinematographe, the patented camera with his brother Augusta. The film – of about 45 seconds was presented on September 21, 1895 (in private form) in the villa Lumière, triggering a reaction of fear in the spectators, for the realism and speed of the locomotive that seemed to leave the screen. In the city, to act as a glue to the films of the past and the present, there is the legendary Cinéma Eden Théâtre of 1889, considered the oldest in the world still in activity. During the day we visit with reservations required (destinationlaciotat.com). In addition to the bond with cinema, the locality is also peacped for giving birth in 1910 to the game most loved by the Provencal ones: La Pétanque (Le Bocce), as evidenced by the bronze sculpture in the small Jardin de la Ville park. The Ciotat, placed between Tolone and Marseille, releases a relaxed and Mediterranean nature, and it is precisely that sense of tranquility widespread to entice a visit to a slow pace, Whether it’s walking on the promenade that runs alongside the old port, or in the historic center harvest, where various churches peek, such as Notre Dame de L’Assomption (1603) and the Chapelle des Pénitnts Noirs “Sainte Anne” (1630). The Musée Ciotoden set up in the old town hall narrates the history of the town. The squares Esquiros and Sadi Carnet are delicious.

On the road, between heaven and sea

In addition, Ciotat also offers a spectacular coast since it is part of the Calanche National Park. Among orange-red cliffs, dream coves appear, such as the Calanque de Mugelwho looks at the in front of the green island and the Calanque de Figuerolles, a wonder of rocks and emerald sea. The Route des Crêtes, 15 kilometers of panoramic road to be covered by car or feet (following the paths for trekking) are splendid: It is a masterful fusion of colors, perfumes and magnificent views. Unforgettable. The Route des Crêtes ends in Cassis, a village with the colorful houses overlooking the marina, a strategic point to enjoy a drink at sunset. © RESERVED REPRODUCTION

Where to sleep in Provence

Negrecoste Hotel & spa Cours Mirabeau 33, Aix-en-Provence.
Comfortable 4 stars with modern furnishings on the main road of the historic center: 35 rooms, spas and brasserie Le Mirabeau. Double in B&B of 150 €. hotelgrecoste.com/fr

Best Western Premier Hôtel Vieux Port Quai F. Mitterand 252, The Ciotat.
Overlooking the old port is a 4 star in a strategic position to discover the historic center of the city on foot. Modern furnishings and heated panoramic swimming pool on the roof. Double in 124 € B&B. Bestwestern-laciotat.com

Where to eat

Opère – Cuisine d’amour Route de Berre 1840, Aix-en-Provence.
Delicious atmosphere restaurant about 15 minutes by car from the city. Exposed kitchen, Provencal Country style furnishings and excellent traditional cuisine. In the menu: meat and fish at 0 km, stuffed lamb saddle, duck breast at Calvados. works.fr

Les Minots Quai F. Mitterand 36, The Ciotat.
Contemporary design restaurant near the old port. It specializes in meat dishes, mainly coming from Argentina, to be enjoyed in the rooms with background music and soft light. Instagram.com/_lesminots

Info

France.fr/it

myprovrence.fr

I woman © RESERVED REPRODUCTION