The Year of Cézanne, in 2025, offers the ideal opportunity to rediscover the south of France in the footsteps of the master. Born in Aix, Paul Cézanne lived in Provence for a long time, and few artists have been able to capture the light and colours of the south with such magic. Take a stroll through the region, following the works of the man Picasso called ‘the father of us all’.
Day 1: Marseille to Aix-en-Provence (18 miles)
Estaque, Plage de l'Estaque, Marseille, France
Start your itinerary in the footsteps of Cézanne in the city of Marseille, particularly at l'Estaque, the old fishing hamlet that inspired the painter so much (his works include Le Golfe de Marseille vu de l'Estaque, La Mer à L'Estaque and Rochers de L'Estaque).
Paul Cézanne, who had known the place since childhood, was very attached to it, and stayed there many times between 1870 and 1886. In 1876, Cézanne wrote to his friend Pissaro: ‘It's like a playing card. Red roofs on a blue sea. The pictorial research he carried out there gave rise to modern painting.
You can't leave l'Estaque, or even Provence, without taking a stroll along the painters' trail, which illustrates the unique link between this picturesque district and the history of painting. Amateur watercolourists can practise their talent at the viewpoint in front of the church, from which you can see the rooftops of the hamlet, the viaducts of the Côte Bleue and the harbour of Marseille. Architecture lovers can take the unusual architecture trail to discover the follies, bastides and courées of l'Estaque.
Then on to Aix-en-Provence, the city that so inspired the master. Take a stroll through the city centre, following the pedestrian itinerary marked out with ‘C’ studs, to discover Cézanne's birthplace and his final resting place in the Saint-Pierre cemetery.
Where to stay? At the Auberge La Coste - Hotel Restaurant in Aix-en-Provence, a new, sustainable, top-of-the-range accommodation option for the duration of the route.
Day 2: Aix-en-Provence
Bastide du Jas de Bouffan, Route de Galice, Aix-en-Provence, France
The Jas de Bouffan country house
What a marvellous estate Jas de Bouffan is, the Cézanne family home for 40 years. This place with its Provençal character is emblematic of the inspiration and creativity of Paul Cézanne, who immersed himself in it from an early age and painted a dozen mural compositions on the ground floor walls.
Outside, the park provided him with marvellous material, and he set up his easel in front of the emblematic features of the estate: the orangery, the groves, the avenue of chestnut trees, the pond adorned with statues, and of course the bastide itself.
Between 1859 and 1899, Jas de Bouffan was the setting for 36 oil paintings and 17 watercolours. It was here, from the end of the park overlooking the railway line, that Cézanne first painted Mont Sainte-Victoire.
The bastide, which has long been closed for renovation work, will reopen its doors to the public for Cézanne Year, on 28 June 2025.
The studio on the Lauves hill and the painters' field
On the Lauves hill, experience a timeless moment in the studio where Cézanne worked every morning from 1902 until his death in 1906. Wander through his furniture, familiar objects and equipment, and immerse yourself in a place steeped in history, the birthplace of masterpieces now housed in some of the world's greatest museums, including the famous Grandes Baigneuses.
The studio has a bookshop, temporary exhibitions and cultural events. You can also enjoy a coffee break or refreshment in this serene setting.
Just a stone's throw from the studio, you can discover the Painters' Field, which faces the Sainte-Victoire mountain that the master loved so much. Nine lava reproductions of the master's finest works invite you to contemplate and celebrate the perfect alliance between art and landscape.
Access to the Painter's Grounds: from the studio, take the chemin de la Marguerite (16-minute walk). Go up Avenue Paul Cézanne, past the roundabout at the Cézanne gate, then turn left up the stairs to the terrain des Peintres (located in a private residence, so please respect the peace and quiet of local residents).
Day 3: From Aix-en-Provence to Mont Sainte-Victoire (9 miles)
Carrières de Bibémus, Chemin de Bibémus, Aix-en-Provence, France
On the third day, continue your itinerary in Cézanne's footsteps with a visit to the Bibémus quarries, then drive to Mont Sainte-Victoire and admire Cézanne's muse and its villages during a stroll.
The Bibémus quarries
A veritable open-air museum, the Bibémus quarries offer breathtaking views of Mont Sainte-Victoire and the surrounding countryside. It was on this 7-hectare rocky plateau, used as a stone quarry for Aix-en-Provence monuments until the 18th century, that Cubism originated.
Between 1895 and 1904, Cézanne drew inspiration from the unique architecture of the quarries and the remarkable natural surroundings to produce 11 oil paintings and 16 watercolours, including Le Rocher Rouge. During your trip to Provence, discover the Bibémus quarries by following a trail around Cézanne's cottage, where he stored his works and sometimes spent the night. This circuit, in the shade of tall pine trees, was redeveloped by the city of Aix-en-Provence in 2022, with new paths and new Cézanne motifs highlighted.
After this wonderful visit, take a well-deserved break at the Sainte Victoire gourmet restaurant in Vauvenargues. On the menu are Mediterranean and Brazilian dishes revisited by the chef, Mateus Marangoni, and a spectacular view of the mountain.
Mount Sainte-Victoire
An emblematic mountain of Provence, culminating at 1011 metres and located to the east of Aix-en-Provence, Sainte Victoire was painted by Cézanne more than 80 times! These include La Montagne Sainte-Victoire vue de la carrière Bibémus, Montagne Sainte-Victoire, and Mont Sainte-Victoire avec grand pin.
Sainte-Victoire has two faces, and both can be explored by following the road around the mountain. On the south side, the sharp relief dominates the Arc basin. The gentler north face takes in a series of limestone plateaux: Bibémus, le Cengle and Pallières. Stop off in the village of Beaurecueil for one of the best views of the mountain. Then wander through sublime landscapes and authentic villages, such as leafy Saint-Antonin-sur-Bayon, Puyloubier and Pourrières, surrounded by vineyards, and Vauvenargues.
Tips and recommendations
An exceptional piece of heritage, the Route Cézanne is the only road in France to be classified as a Historic Monument. In 1959, André Malraux, then Minister of State, decided to protect this route linking Aix-en-Provence to the village of Le Tholonet, and renamed what the French then called the ‘petite route du Tholonet’ the ‘Route Cézanne’. Today, this 4.6-kilometre tourist route takes in the majestic sites that inspired the painter, including the Château de Tholonet, the Bibémus quarries, Mont Sainte-Victoire, the Zola dam and the Cézanne mill. Once a year, the Route Cézanne du Tholonet association organises cultural events. The route is then reserved for pedestrians, with free parking at each end. A marvellous walk among the pines, olives and vines, not to be missed on a trip to Provence.
By The editor
The editorial staff of France.fr follows the trends and news of destinations to bring you stories from France that reveal its innovations and traditions that make you long to (re) discover its territories.
