2025 — The Year of Cézanne
Visitors experience the Cézanne, au Jas de Bouffan at Musee Granet in Aix-en-Provence.
186 years ago, Paul Cézanne, post-impressionist painter and Modern Art pioneer, was born in Aix-en-Provence, France. Throughout his lifetime, he worked in Paris, but returned to his birthplace in the south of France, where he found most of his inspiration.
This year, Provence has established 2025 to be The Year of Cézanne, and Aix is at the heart of the celebrations. Curators have collaborated with major French and international museums, such as the Musée d'Orsay, to create an exhibition at Musee Granet, here in Aix, that tells the story of Cézanne’s life through his masterpieces. The exhibition features over 100 of his artworks, normally housed all over the world, bringing his art back to where it all began. From June 28th to October 12th, 2025, in the heart of the Aix, visitors can admire many of Cézanne’s most famous works of art all in one place.
As Aix is starting to cool down and autumn begins to settle in, there are few things cozier and more enjoyable than an excursion to a museum, especially to Musée Granet, a spacious gallery situated by the magnificent 13th century Gothic cathedral, Saint Jean de Malte.
While walking through the exhibition, I first noticed the abundance of awe-stricken visitors, and a wide range of all ages walking through the museum. This exhibition is attracting thousands of visitors from all over the world, and for good reason. It is designed beautifully, with a wonderful flow and engaging information, providing insight into the artist’s artistic journey, his closest relationships, and his places of inspiration. Through connecting the art and the artist, this exhibit provides a very personal peek into the life of one of the most influential artists of the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
Appliqued to the walls throughout the exhibition, visitors will notice quotes and writings from the artist. One of my favorites is an excerpt of a letter Cézanne wrote to his friend in 1886. Speaking of Aix, it read, “...I am still occupied with painting and that there are treasures to be taken away from this land, which has yet to find an interpreter worthy of the riches found here” (Translated from French). It was wonderful to compare this quote to the way in which he painted, with such visible admiration and pride for Aix-en-Provence and the South of France.
Aix is such a magical and beautiful place, and Cézanne depicted this magic so well. I felt even more connected to the city as I wandered through the gallery, admiring all the artwork that was created right here in Aix-en-Provence. It was amazing to see the same places I’ve seen in person depicted in Cézanne’s paintings. It is so surreal to live in a place that was the birthplace of some of the 19th and 20th centuries' most influential masterpieces, and it made me feel even more grateful to call Aix home. One of the things I love most about living here is the abundance of history and culture that is highly accessible, especially to students, and the Cézanne exhibition reinforced just how lucky I am to have access to these experiences.
I highly recommend visiting the exhibition before the doors close on October 12th, it is truly a wonderful and well-curated collection of the works of Aix’s most beloved resident. And plus, students get in free with a student ID, just reserve a time slot in advance through the link below!
https://booking.aixenprovencetourism.com/cezanne2025-book-cezanne-at-jas-de-bouffan-exhibition.html
Sources
Aix-en-Provence, Ville de Cezanne, “His Life,” https://www.cezanne-en-provence.com/en/cezanne-paul/his-life
Cézanne 2025, Aix-en-Provence, “What Makes 2025 the Year of Cézanne?”, https://cezanne2025.com/en/what-makes-2025-the-year-of-cezanne/#:~:text=Aix%2Den%2DProvence%20is%20celebrating,family%20home%20and%20last%20studio
Explore France, “Cézanne 2025: a journey to the heart of artistic Provence,” https://www.france.fr/en/event/cezanne-2025