Why Art Lovers Need to Visit Provence: Cézanne 2025 Celebration

The following article highlights some Cézanne 2025 celebration events in Aix-en-Provence. In addition, see the “reading list” for some books that provide more detail on the famous artist and his life in Provence.

A native of Aix-en-Provence, Paul Cézanne (1839 – 1906) became one of the most globally recognized post-impressionist painters. Almost 120 years after the legendary artist’s death, the city of Aix-en-Provence is celebrating Cézanne with dedicated exhibitions and the reopening of his family’s home (Jas de Bouffan) and his studio (Atelier des Lauves) after extensive restoration work on both locations.

©Office de Tourisme d’Aix-en-Provence

Cézanne: A Brief History

Born in Aix-en-Provence on January 19, 1839, into an affluent family, Cézanne had two younger sisters. His father, Louis-Auguste Cézanne, was a banker later in his working life and determined that his son would follow the same career path. As a result, Paul Cézanne followed a conventional educational path, attending the top-echelon schools, including the University of Aix-en-Provence law school.

However, Paul Cézanne was only interested in art as a vocation. Eventually, he convinced his parents to allow him to attend the Académie Suisse in Paris for artistic training. Returning to Aix after a short stint in Paris, Cézanne struggled mentally and artistically. His childhood friend Émile Zola, the son of François Zola, designed the Zola Dam near Aix-en-Provence and convinced Cézanne to continue his creative path.

Paul Cézanne’s distinctive style and approach to painting would eventually influence future artists of the Cubism and Fauvism movements. From still life to landscape to portraits today, Cézanne’s works form part of public and private collections worldwide. However, his true fame only came after his death. Please read more about Paul Cézanne’s background here.

Bastide du Jas de Bouffan, Aix-en-Provence © photo Michel Fraisset

Cézanne 2025 Exhibitions

The Musée Granet is hosting an exhibition called “Cézanne au Jas de Bouffan” from June 28 to October 12. A visit to the museum is a unique opportunity to see 130+  of his creations, including drawings and paintings, in the city where they were produced. The historic Jas de Bouffan, the Cézanne family home, has been closed for many years during an extensive restoration, making this a truly special experience. In addition, the Collection Pearlman will open to the public on June 13, 2025. It comprises 66 impressionist and post-impressionist works, including 24 from Cézanne. It was last seen in Aix in 2014 and is coming on a long-term loan, a significant boost to the artistic riches of the town.

Musée Granet
Place Saint Jean de Malte
13100 Aix-en-Provence

Located near the Hôtel de Ville, the Musée du Vieil Aix has an immersive exhibition, ‘Cézanne Seen from Aix.’ This exhibition, running from June 6, 2025, to January 5, 2026, offers a unique opportunity to explore Aix-en-Provence during the artist’s lifetime and his deep connection to his birthplace.

Musée Granet Office de Tourisme d’Aix-en-Provence

Musée du Vieil Aix
17 Rue Gaston de Saporta,
13100 Aix-en-Provence

For young art lovers and future artists, “La Petite Galerie Cézanne” at La Manufacture gallery is not to be missed. This interactive experience, running until December 21, 2025, is designed to inspire and engage the next generation of artists.

La Manufacture
8/10 rue des Allumettes
13100 Aix-en-Provence

Cézanne Prominent Sites

As previously mentioned, two historic locations associated with Paul Cézanne’s life and career will reopen to the public in 2025. This is a unique opportunity to step into the legendary artist’s world. To avoid disappointment, we recommend buying your tickets in advance.

©Office de Tourisme d’Aix-en-Provence

Cézanne’s father purchased the Bastide du Jas de Bouffan in 1859, and it remained the family property for 40 years. Located inside the city boundaries, Jas de Bouffan is a sizable six (6) hectare property. It includes a farm, outbuildings, a caretaker’s house, a large pond, and an orangerie. The large mansion and its grounds were the backdrop for 36 oil paintings and 17 watercolours that Paul Cézanne produced in that four-decade period.

Bastide du Jas de Bouffan
4 route de Valcros
13100 Aix-en-Provence
Recommend booking a guided tour.

©Office de Tourisme d’Aix-en-Provence

Atelier des Lauves (Cézanne’s Studio) has undergone a restoration project and reopens to the public this year. Two years after his mother’s death, in 1897, Cézanne sold the Bastide de Jas de Bouffan and moved to his studio on Lauves Hill north of Aix-en-Provence. The studio was designed and constructed to suit Cézanne’s working style. He painted the walls gray and put a parquet on the floor for better lighting. Atelier des Lauves had an opening to the right of the front door so Cézanne could pass his paintings into the garden, as he liked to paint plein air.

Atelier des Lauves
13 Avenue Paul Cézanne,
13100 Aix-en-Provence

Atelier des Lauves © Sophie Spiteri

Cézanne 2025 Experiences

Since 1990, visitors have been able to follow Cézanne’s footsteps through Aix-en-Provence’s Sur les pas de Cézanne. There are roughly 3,500 bronze “C” plaques on the pavements and footpaths where he once walked from home to studio to a painting site and then to cafes after a day at the easel. Download the Aix-en-Provence Tourist Office App for 32 key sites on the walk. Geolocalisation activates an information panel and provides a virtual guide with key facts about the site. The App is free to download and available on Apple’s App Store and Google Play.

Cézanne’s Gourmet Menu

Since it wouldn’t be France without a gastronomy component to the Cézanne 2025 celebrations, 16 restaurateurs competed to create the signature Cézanne menu. The City of Aix and the tourist office organized the competition, where participants from the Pays d’Aix created menus to reflect the artist. A shortlist of five (5) candidates created their menus for a renowned panel of judges. The contest winner was Villa Gallici’s Chef Christophe Gavot and his gastronomic menu for La Taula restaurant. Advanced booking is necessary for this gastronomic experience.

Villa Gallici
18 Avenue de la Violette
13100 Aix-en-Provence

Practical Information

The Aix-en-Provence tourism office has a section of its website dedicated to all the activities surrounding Cézanne 2025. Beyond the 2025 celebrations, the Aix-en-Provence Tourism Office and the Pays d’Aix hope to build momentum and create a long-term incentive for visitors to explore “Cézanne at Home.”

Website

If you plan to stay for several days, the Aix-en-Provence City Pass is a great way to save on your visit. It offers discounts to many sites mentioned above, making it a cost-effective option for exploring the city.

Interview with Michel Fraisset – Head of Aix-en-Provence Tourism Office

Aix: City Guide for Visitors

More Reading on Paul Cézanne

Reading List: Books About Paul Cézanne

The Letters of Paul Cézanne by Alex Danchev

Cezanne: A Life by Alex Danchev

Cézanne: The Rock and Quarry Paintings – by Jon Elderfield (Editor, Contributor), Faya Causey (Contributor), Sara Green (Contributor), Annemarie Iker (Contributor), Ariel Kline (Contributor), Anna Swinbourne (Contributor)

Paul Cézanne: 1839-1906: Pioneer of Modernism by Ulrike Becks-Malorny

Carolyne Kauser-Abbott

With her camera and laptop close at hand, Carolyne has traded in her business suits for the world of freelance writing and blogging. Her first airplane ride at six months of age was her introduction to the exciting world of travel.

While in Provence, Carolyne can be found hiking with friends, riding the hills around the Alpilles or tackling Mont Ventoux. Her attachment to the region resonates in Perfectly Provence this digital magazine that she launched in 2014. This website is an opportunity to explore the best of the Mediterranean lifestyle (food & wine, places to stay, expat stories, books on the region, travel tips, real estate tips and more), through our contributors' articles.

Carolyne writes a food and travel blog Ginger and Nutmeg. Carolyne’s freelance articles can be found in Global Living Magazine, Avenue Magazine and City Palate (Published Travel Articles).