How Provence will celebrate its artistic hero Paul Cézanne in 2025

Paul Cézanne, the world-famous painter from Aix-en-Provence and a central figure of Post-Impressionism, will be brought back to life in his hometown in June 2025 with a diverse programme of art and culture in his honour. What is it that makes Cézanne so fascinating to this day? And what highlights should visitors to Provence be sure not to miss this year?

Michel Fraisset, whose new book ​‘Paul Cézanne sous le soleil de Provence’ has just been published by Éditions des Falaises, is a former director of the Atelier de Cézanne and the current director of the Office de Tourisme d’Aix-en-Provence, making him an undisputed expert on the legendary artist. In an exclusive guest commentary for moments, he reveals why the world remains captivated by Paul Cézanne.

The fascination with Paul Cézanne

Paul Cézanne remains a unique figure in art history. At the crossroads of tradition and modernity, his work continues to fascinate both experts and the general public alike. This fascination can be explained in the innovative scope of his work, the originality of his approach, and the human resilience that marked his career. Cézanne is one of the pioneers of modernism. As a precursor to modern art, he freed himself from academic rules without completely embracing Impressionism.

Cézanne sought to reveal the deeper structure of the world rather than capture the fleeting moment. His desire to make Impressionism ​‘solid and enduring, like the art in museums’ led him to simplify forms into geometric volumes and liberate colour from drawing. His influence on Cubism was decisive. Picasso said of him: ​‘Cézanne is the father of us all.’ The painter from Aix-en-Provence had a unique worldview. His painting is not a simple reproduction of reality: it reconstructs the world through perception. He questioned classical perspective, multiplied the angles of view, and introduced a form of visual instability. This approach gives his works a rare intellectual density. His landscapes, still lifes, and portraits seem to contain a silent mystery and question our way of seeing.

A solitary artist, often rejected and misunderstood, Cézanne pursued a demanding quest marked by doubt and perseverance. His deep attachment to his homeland, Provence – especially the Sainte-Victoire mountain – testifies to a fusion between man, nature, and creation. Initially despised, Cézanne is now one of the most important figures in art history. His paintings are on display in the world’s greatest museums and fetch record prices at auction. This posthumous success reinforces the image of the lonely genius celebrated after his death. Cézanne was not just a painter, but also an explorer of vision, a mediator between centuries. His work teaches us that art is not merely representation, but rather consists of seeing, thinking, and feeling differently. Paul Cézanne and Aix-en-Provence embody the necessary dialogue between art and the geographic region.

Where the south pulsates

In the heart of Provence, Aix-en-Provence embodies the southern French way of life. The city of water and art enchants with its cobbled streets, singing fountains, and light-filled squares. The Cours Mirabeau, with its sycamore trees and city palaces, embodies the charm of this city, which boasts a deep connection to Cézanne. His studio in Les Lauves, the Jas de Bouffan family estate, the Sainte-Victoire mountain, and the surrounding landscapes bear witness to this connection. Throughout the year, Aix pulsates to the rhythm of exhibitions, festivals, and colourful marketplaces.

Here, culture lovers will also soon discover the Musée Granet, the Fondation Vasarely, and the Thermes Sextius. The Festival d’Art Lyrique and the Festival de Pâques provide a musical backdrop to the seasons. Calissons, galleries, markets, vineyards: everything here invites you to enjoy the typical Provençal way of life.

Cézanne 2025: our tips for an exceptional year in Aix

In 2025, Provence’s already impressive art and culture programme will be complemented by a special offering in honour of Paul Cézanne. Numerous institutions are inviting visitors to immerse themselves in the painter’s world in a variety of ways. Cézanne fans should not miss this programme:

International exhibition at the Musée Granet

From 28 June to 12 October 2025, ​‘Cézanne au Jas de Bouffan’ will present 133 works, including masterpieces on loan from leading museums.

The Jas de Bouffan reopens

Following its restoration, the family estate can now be explored as part of an immersive tour.

Studios and tours

The studio in Les Lauves, the Bibémus quarries, and Mont Sainte-Victoire welcome visitors for unique experiences.

An artistic season

Opera, dance, monumental projections, and contemporary creations celebrate the painter.

The Petite Galerie Cézanne

The Galerie La Manufacture offers an interactive exhibition for children aged 3 to 12, introducing them to the world of the painter in an understandable and exciting way.

cezanne2025​.com

Hotels for the perfect stay in Provence

Provence is not only famous for its art and culture, but also for its exceptional hotels, which help to make a stay in this unique region truly unforgettable. Those looking for something special will find charming accommodation that extends far beyond the ordinary. Here are three recommendations for your next trip…

Hôtel Le Pigonnet in Aix-en-Provence

The Hôtel Le Pigonnet in Aix-en-Provence combines Provençal elegance with contemporary comfort. Set in a stately 18th-century villa just a stone’s throw from the city centre, guests can enjoy 55 stylishly designed rooms and suites nestled in an 8,000 m² garden complete with fountains, flowers, and mature trees. The interiors by Jacques Garcia combine history with modern sophistication. The new 350 m² Folie Verte spa offers a comprehensive wellness experience with a sauna, a hammam, a fitness room, and tailor-made treatments. The La Table du Pigonnet restaurant delights guests with creative bistronomy, served in the dining room or on the magnificent garden terrace offering views of Montagne Sainte-Victoire.

Villa Gallici – Baroque luxury in Aix-en-Provence

Just a few minutes’ walk from the Cours Mirabeau, the Villa Gallici, a Relais & Château hotel within a magnificent 18th-century country house, opens its doors to travellers seeking something rather special. The 23 individually designed rooms and suites combine opulent Baroque and Rococo elements with modern comforts: magnificent four-poster beds, richly embroidered fabrics, and private terraces or gardens.

In the extensive three-hectare gardens, a heated outdoor pool invites you to relax all year round. The spa pavilion offers a whirlpool and sauna, as well as cryotherapy and a solarium.

Art and cuisine go hand in hand here: in the Taula Gallici gourmet restaurant with its shaded terrace, chef Christophe Gavot serves up creatively interpreted Mediterranean delights.

L’Isle de Leos MGallery: Provençal art de vivre in the heart of L’Isle-sur-la-Sorgue

Although the L’Isle de Leos MGallery is located in the picturesque L’Isle-sur-la-Sorgue – often referred to as the ​‘Venice of Provence’ – around 50 minutes from Aix-en-Provence, it is well worth a visit. As of June 2025, the new L’Isle de Leos MGallery has been welcoming lovers of Provence with an extraordinary blend of art, cuisine, and sensuality. The hotel is part of Accor’s MGallery Collection and is the brainchild of French artist and entrepreneur Patrick Bruel, who produces olive oil, wine, and lavender honey not far away at the Domaine de Leos.

The 49 rooms and suites – all individually designed – celebrate craftsmanship and regional materials. Tiles, natural stone, antiques, and wrought-iron elements tell the story of Provence. At the centre of the hotel is a monumental tile artwork: L’Âme de la Provence.

The hotel has two pools, a spa with oleotherapy, a hammam, and a snow grotto. La Roue spoils guests with Provençal cuisine and views of the historic water wheel, while the Le Nègo Chin bar delights with signature cocktails based on lavender honey or olives.

The hotel’s in-house wine cellar, Augusta, invites guests to sample wines from the Domaine de Leos, among others. Whether strolling through the hotel to admire the art, enjoying brunch in the garden, or visiting the town’s antique dealers, L’Isle de Leos MGallery is a living tribute to the ​‘savoir-vivre’ of Provence.