ARTISTIC TRIP TO A FRENCH TOWN- PART 1

"All my life I have worked to be able to earn my living, but I thought that one could do good painting without attracting attention to one's private life. Certainly, an artist wishes to raise himself intellectually as much as possible, but the man must remain obscure. The pleasure must be found in the work. " - Paul Cezanne

As an artist myself, my interest in many of the places we traveled had to do w/ some historical, cultural, and sentimental connection to my favorite & famous impressionist artists.  During our Mediterranean trip  in  2011, luckily some ports afforded me that opportunity. Our cruise started from Barcelona, Spain. And our first port was Marsailles in France. I picked an optional tour to Arles & Aix, to be connected to Vincent Van Gogh and Paul Cezanne. It was an inspiring day to see & walk the ancient French towns,where these 2 artists painted & lived. 

 

La Rotonde- Aix-en-Provence is full of fountains. Everywhere, throughout the town, fountains big & small bubble & spray & splash.

Everyone knows that Aix was a town of art. Here, all is colour and sensation: the light of the sky, the golden stone of the facades, the transparent green of the fountains & the shade of the plane trees.



Mont Sainte - Victoire is probably the best-known mountain in Provence. Thanks to the painter Paul Cezanne, who immortalized and painted it frequently.

One of Paul Cezanne's favorite subjects was Mont Sainte- Victoire, to the east of Aix.

 Standing beside Paul Cezanne's sculpture. The famous  artist was born in Aix-en-Provence. He was raised here, studied here, lived here and eventually died here.



Vieille Ville -The center of Aix is the old town, packed with shops, cafes, markets, museums, religious and architectural  and historical sites.  It's a small -enough area to explore by foot.

Clock Tower

Clock Tower Arch



Cathedral Saint- Sauveur

"The artist's world is limitless. It can be found anywhere, far from where he lives or a few feet away. It is always on his doorstep. " — Paul Strand