2025 marks a celebration of Cézanne, the painter of silence and the master behind the famous Sainte-Victoire mountain series. On the centenary of his death, the Department of Bouches-du-Rhône pays tribute to the native son of Aix-en-Provence through the restoration and enhancement of two iconic sites: the Jas de Bouffan estate and the Atelier des Lauves. Both central to his life and artistic inspiration, these spaces once again allow visitors to feel the presence of the painter’s genius.
The Jas de Bouffan bastide, Cézanne’s majestic family home for over forty years, is preparing to reopen its doors. It is being revived as a vibrant site, where the artist painted many of his masterpieces. Visitors are invited to immerse themselves in his story while rediscovering the landscapes that shaped his imagination. The five-hectare park surrounding the estate, with its plane tree-lined paths and reflective pools, will regain its former glory an open invitation to wander through the very setting where some of his greatest works were born.
Just a short distance away, the Atelier des Lauves, Cézanne’s final studio, is also undergoing a major transformation, along with the home’s living spaces. This is not a traditional museum, but rather a place frozen in time. His smock, hat, paintbrushes, and still-life objects appear untouched, as if he had just stepped out. Bathed in natural light, the studio offers an immersive experience into his world a place where he brought to life some of his most iconic paintings, such as The Large Bathers and Mont Sainte-Victoire. This ambitious project aims to transform the workshop into a vibrant cultural center.
Aix-en-Provence thus becomes a true open air museum, where Cézanne’s legacy blends with the modern revival of these historic sites. Through these two venues, set to be unveiled on June 28, the city honors the artist’s creative freedom while preserving a living, breathing heritage.
