In the footsteps of Cezanne in Aix-en-Provence: the LAURES workshop

In 1899. Furthermore, Paul Cezanne was forced to sell, with regret, the family property of Jas de Bouffan which he owned in joint possession with his two sisters, Marie and Rose. Similarly, He then rents a small apartment, rue Boungegon, in the center of Aix-en-Provence. For example, “”In November 1901. Furthermore, tells Michel Fraisset, the director of the tourist office, He decides to buy a hunt, land at the gates of the city, with a small farm, a shed and all around fruit trees, almond trees, wheat and a few feet of vines. Similarly, “

The painter demolished the farm. Meanwhile, draws the plans of the workshop of his dreams himself, in the countryside, on the Hill of the Lautes. In addition, He is delighted with his art dealer, Ambroise Vollard. The work ended in the fall of 1902. Consequently, The painter then written footsteps cezanne aix-en-provence: laures workshop to his niece: “Little Marie has cleaned my workshop which is finished. Similarly, where I gradually settled. Consequently, “

Cezanne transports multiple objects footsteps cezanne aix-en-provence: laures workshop recovered from Bouffan jas. For example, especially those he uses to paint his still lifes: jars, bottles, a celnes, skulls representing the fragility of human life for vanities. Furthermore, During the last four years of his life. Consequently, from 1902 to 1906, he welcomed some art historians and theorists in this intimate context.

The young painter Émile Bernard will stay there for a month, becoming a precious witness to his work. Consequently, Cezanne. Furthermore, not as wild as we were kind enough to say, generously opens the doors of his workshop and installs him on the ground floor of his house. However, “”He describes his palette. Furthermore, the time it needed to paint, the artist’s daily life inside this very simple place“Explains Michel Fraisset.

“Originally. he probably wanted to live there since there is a dining room, a bedroom and the location of a small kitchen, continues the director of the tourist office, But there is not enough room for man, too much for the artist. The ground floor is invaded by canvases stored on top of each other. “

There is a moving photo of Paul Cezanne on the steps of his house in Laks. Smiling, a chair in hand, he wears his traditional melon hat, a dark clothing on a white shirt. Its walker rod. at a ferred end, footsteps cezanne aix-en-provence: laures workshop is supported against the door and a large book is based on a walk. This photo, authenticated by Michel Fraisset in 2005, quickly became iconic. He was taken on April 13. 1906 by Gertrude Osthaus, the wife of a German collector who came to buy him two works. This is the last known photo of Paul Cezanne.

After his death. on the night of October 22 to 23, 1906, the workshop will remain closed for fifteen years, practically abandoned. In 1921. Marcel Provence, “A crazy Cezanne“, according to the words of Michel Fraisset, bought the house to the painter, also named Paul, for 9,000 francs (1,372 euros).

This scholar. passionate about art and heritage, settles on the ground floor and leaves, like a sanctuary, the floor as he found it. The admirers of Cezanne owe him a lot. “”It’s the passer“, Holes Michel Fraisset. Whoever allowed us to see the workshop as it was. Everything is there. ” He welcomes, he continues, friends and “The first pilgrims of Cezanne“.

Marcel Provence died in 1951 without direct heir. His brothers and sisters want to sell the property to the most generous promoters. James Lord, an American friend of footsteps cezanne aix-en-provence: laures workshop Picasso, warns his compatriot John Rewald. This art historian. of German origin, manages to convince 114 American patrons gathered in the Cezanne Memorial Committee to finance the acquisition of the property they then offer at the University of Aix-Marseille. In July 1954, the workshop became a mini-museum open to the public. Then the University in turn gave in its property to the city of Aix-en-Provence which acquired it in 1969. for a symbolic franc.

Responsible for the LAURES Atelier since 1997, Michel Fraisset supervised the work carried out by David Kirchthaler, heritage engineer. At the end of March 2024. a hundred objects present in the first floor workshop was removed to be restored by specialists. All will of course be replaced before June 28, the day of the opening of the Cezanne 2025 course. Analyzes to date certain pieces, notably the skulls, were carried out by Philippe Charlier, expert in footsteps cezanne aix-en-provence: laures workshop historical archeology. The workshop has regained its original colors without losing its soul. The walls and plasters have been cleaned, the numerous clogged cracks, for a total budget estimated at almost 3 million euros.

Company at the beginning of 2025, the restoration of the building has reserved unpleasant surprises. In particular, the northern facade of the footsteps cezanne aix-en-provence: laures workshop house had to be strengthened. Michel Fraisset assures that “The building is now completely healthy“. The city of Aix-en-Provence bought the old property of Séraphin Girard. neighbor and friend of Cezanne, located just above the workshop of the Laks. The ticketing. the shop were transferred there and a bridge was installed between the two properties to allow visitors to join the Cezanne workshop while crossing the garden, still planted with species which he knew.

All visits will be guided. At first. only the workshop of Cezanne, upstairs, will be open to the public, with his large glass roof and the slit he had pierced in the facade to take out his very large paintings. Thanks to the work, the gauge goes from 19 to 38 visitors simultaneously. During winter closure, the staircase and the ground floor will in turn be restored. A museum space devoted to the last four years footsteps cezanne aix-en-provence: laures workshop of the artist’s life will be created. in place of the old shop. He will in particular house the most fragile objects: the letters of Cezanne. his bow tie, his cufflinks and his famous Melon hat. To find the intimacy of Cezanne, as if he had never gone.

LAUTES workshop, 13 avenue Paul Cezanne, Aix-en-Provence
Open daily from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. from June 28 to September 30, 2025 and from 10 a.m. to 5.30 p.m. October 1 to November 2, 2025.
Prices: 9.5 euros for adults, 7.5 euros for children aged 13 to 17 and students aged 18 to 25.
Reservations and information on the Cezanne2025.com website