Today myriad art lovers head for Provence in the painters footsteps. In Aix, Arles, Marseilles, Antibes and Nice, they follow the well trodden trail from impressionism to cubism along the French Riviera and in its hinterland.
Every stop along the way has myriad attractions, best of all art museums and walking trails through the artists’ favourite haunts. Gazing at the scenery which inspired world famous canvasses, standing where the artist stood or wandering through his home or studio is a rewarding experience for any visitor.
Impressionism on the French Riviera, Renoir, Monet
Renoir set up his home in Cagnes sur Mer near Nice in 1907 where he continued to paint until his death. The Domaine des Collettes and its lovely garden shaded by olive trees are open to the public. Eleven paintings are on display and most of the artist’s sculptures. Renoir also painted in the village of L’Estaque near Marseille.
Drawn by the Mediterranean light, Monet spent some time in Antibes, completing two major works, Antibes effet d’après-midi and Antibes vue de la Salis.
Provence in the Artists’ Footsteps, Post-Impressionists, Cézanne, Van Gogh, Matisse
Cézanne often returned to his native Provence for inspiration, spending a total of 45 years in Aix. He painted landscapes, still life and seaports and Mont Ste Victoire, his beloved hill, 80 times. The Lauves Studio contains many of the artist’s implements while nine of his works, including The Bathers, can be seen in the Granet Museum.
Van Gogh settled in Arles in 1888, a move which induced him to add colour to his work. Best known are the Sunflowers, the Yellow House and Les Alyscamps which he painted with Gauguin.
Matisse relocated to Cimiez, a suburb of Nice, where he evolved from fauvism to post-war modern style. Works displayed in the Matisse Museum in Cimiez include Tempête à Nice and Femme à l’Ombrelle.
Cubism, Picasso in Antibes, Braque in L’Estaque
In 1946, Picasso stayed in the Grimaldi Castle in Antibes and decided to enhance it with his works. He donated 23 paintings and other works, a collection enriched by further donations and displayed in the castle turned Picasso Museum. Two large paintings immediately capture attention, La Joie de Vivre and Ulysse et les Sirènes.
Braque who started as a fauvist co-founded cubism with Picasso. He painted near Marseille, in La Ciotat and L’Estaque where visitors can follow the sign-posted trail in his footsteps.
Also worth visiting for modern art, including Braque, Miro and Chagall, is the Maeght Foundation in St Paul de Vence and in Vence, the Rosary chapel decorated by Matisse.
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