In the footsteps of Cezanne in Aix-en-Provence: the quarries of Bibémus

On the occasion of the event exhibition organized at the Granet Museum until October 12. Nevertheless, we chose to train you in the footsteps of Paul Cezanne with a series of articles devoted to the illustrious Provençal painter. Consequently,

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footsteps cezanne aix-en-provence: quarries bibémus

30 minutes from walking from Aix-en-Provence. Consequently, the old quarries of Pierre de Bibémus look like a garden in Eden. Similarly, Between 1890. Therefore, 1904, in all times, Paul Cezanne came to put his easel there, in search of the best point of footsteps cezanne aix-en-provence: quarries bibémus view on the Sainte-Victoire mountain which emerges in the distance, dominating this chaos of rocks. Meanwhile, Below. However, we can also see the dam designed by François Zola, the father of the writer, who died at the start of the works in 1847.

This large plateau, located between the road to Vauvenargues and that of Tholonet, is an infinite playground for its palette. In addition, The warm or colder colors, stones inspired some of his most famous canvases to him. For example, Seven emblematic patterns are still identifiable, for those who know how to linger, on this protected natural site. Therefore, To see with the eyes of Cezanne, in 2025 as in 1900.

Michel Fraisset. Similarly, president of the Aix-en-Provence Tourist Office, knows the place like his pocket and guides us in his meanders. However, On a rock, he makes us observe a date “No doubt engraved by a carrier“: 1784. Similarly, Here, the extraction of limestone stoneware began in Roman times to stop definitively at the end of the 18th century.

The name of these quarries, owned by the city of Aix-en-Provence, comes from the Latin “Drink”. For example, Bibémus is the stone that drinks. footsteps cezanne aix-en-provence: quarries bibémus A long time ago, sandy beaches covered the area as evidenced by the fossils found by geologists. This golden stone. used to build the oldest buildings, gives its unique color to the city of Aix-en-Provence, attracting tourists from around the world.

Cezanne came on the Bibémus plateau on foot. its bag full of brushes and colored tubes and its easel on its back. At the end of his life, he rented the services of a coachman who deposited him. A wooden belvedere, decorated with wicker by a Vannier de Cadenet, was fitted out above the void. It offers an exceptional panorama of the landscape remained as Cezanne saw it: the Sainte-Victoire mountain. the Cengle plateau, the Sainte-Baume chain, Mont Aurélien.

“It is an easily ‘geometrisable’ magic site for Cezanne, estimated Bruno Ély, specialist in his painting. We always wonder if it is he who makes the landscape or if it footsteps cezanne aix-en-provence: quarries bibémus is the landscape that made Cezanne. A bit like two. “

We had fun on this preserved site to put our steps in those. of Cezanne to follow it on track. footsteps cezanne aix-en-provence: quarries bibémus The Tourist Office, which organizes guided tours, marked the road reproduction paths, in the very place where it painted them. We observe the image placed on the ground. we raise our heads and we find the same rocks, the same vegetation. An astonishing artistic treasure hunt. A free application entitled In the Pas de Cezanne Allows you to geolocate the exact points where it has. placed its easel.

You have to visit this five hectare site to understand that the colors of Cezanne do not copy nature. They express it. “”I paint what I see, what I feel “he said, “And I have thrills. “A superb shed [photo en tête de cet article]perfectly preserved, sits on a small eminence. Paul Cezanne praised him to a friend, Eugène Couston. From 1895. he transformed it into a workshop to store his equipment and paint in situ, as close as possible to the footsteps cezanne aix-en-provence: quarries bibémus pattern. Cezanne spent her days there and part of his nights until 1904. The interior of the shed was not unfortunately visited.

At the crossroads of Bibémus paths. we discover the outdoor workshop of another artist, also installed on this site, in another shed. His name is David Campbell. He is Canadian and hermit. This artist. who fell in love with the place from his first stay, has made an agreement with the city: he ensures a presence on the site, in exchange for which, he is authorized to live here, without water or electricity, since 1981.

David has two trades: stonemason, especially for historic monuments, and art sculptor. He works the stone of the Pont du Gard and sells his works to passing visitors. He explains that even if he has no machines at home, “It is not quite the Middle Ages“. Additionally, He installed solar panels and has footsteps cezanne aix-en-provence: quarries bibémus a car that allows him to get water at the fountain.”I don’t need a lot“, He smiles. A man dedicated to his art who is one with the surrounding nature, would that not remind you of someone?

Programming of guided tours. excursions available from the footsteps cezanne aix-en-provence: quarries bibémus Aix-en-Provence Tourist Office (at +33 (0) 4 42 16 11 61 for individuals) and on Cezanne2025.com