Picasso's Provence studio open for the first time.
The light in Provence is remarkable. So much so that many artists had their most productive periods while living there. Born in Aix-en-Provence, Cezanne spent most of his life there. And Van Gogh, Renoir, Cezanne, and Matisse were all inspired by the shimmering light and staggering natural beauty.
Picasso too spent many summers in Provence, and lived in Vallauris, Mougins and Cannes. In 1958, at the age of 79, Picasso bought Chateau de Vauvenargues with Jacqueline, his second wife. The castle, which was extensively rebuilt in the 17th century, includes Picasso's studio, which is now open to the public for the first time.
The property's most notable feature is its location at the base of Mont St-Victoire, so often painted by Cezanne. Picasso so admired Cezanne that he never painted the mountain himself. The Granet Museum in Aix-en-Provence is hosting a Picasso-Cezanne show until September 27, 2009. It provides a great opportunity to view the works of both artists side by side.
Reservations are required. For more information, visit http://www.picasso-aix2009.fr/uk/info_pratique.asp
Picasso and Jacqueline left Vauvenargues after only three years, but both are buried there, facing Mont St-Victoire. Guided
30-minute visits include Picasso‘s bedroom and bath, his studio, and the gardens. Advanced reservations are sold out. But 72 same-day tickets are sold each morning.
Travelers in the South of France with still more appetite for Picasso, should visit the Picasso Museum in Antibes, which is showing 200 of Picasso's works, including the masterpiece Joie de Vivre. The museum reopened this week.
For information about where to see Picasso in the South of France this summer, visit www.picassoenprovencecotedazur.com.
For advice on where to go and what to see and do in Provence, see our detailed itinerary at http://www.tripaddiction.com/itinerary.cfm?regionID=57&itineraryID=3&display=itinerary
Top image Flickr: Monica Arellano-Ongpin
Mont St-Victoire image Flickr: AndrewJohnMitchell