The Barnes and Cézanne
The Barnes Foundation invites you to join Nina Athanassoglou-Kallmyer, a professor emerita of art history at the University of Delaware. Nina is a renowned expert on Paul Cézanne and French nineteenth-century art and culture, particularly known for her book "Cézanne and Provence: The Painter in His Culture". This trip is Part II of the circles study trip experience. Part I is in the Barnes collection galleries this September led by Nina Kallmyer. The in-house portion is "included" and complimentary but strongly suggested for any participants. She will lead us on an exciting trip to Provence
Highlights of the Trip Include:
- Private curator-guided tour of Provence's Château La Coste a wine estate, with exquisite art, architecture and restaurants.
- Visits to historical monuments including Jas de Bouffan mansion and its park, the former home of Paul Cézanne.
- Private tour of Musée Granet to view their permanent collection and the special exhibit "Cézanne au Jas de Bouffan."
- Light day walks and hikes to view Bibémus quarry and le Château Noir focusing on the landscape that Cézanne featured in many of his most famous paintings.
- Visits to villages and moutain ranges that relate to Cézanne.
Registration with Artful Jaunts:
The trip starts in the afternoon of Thursday, September 18th in Aix-en-Provence and ends on Monday, September 22nd with departures at your leisure.
Your Barnes contact for this trip is Katie Adams (kadams@barnesfoundation.org or 804-241-6022, cell). Your Artful Jaunts contact is Latasha Thomas (latasha@artfuljaunts.com or 781-658-2270, office) who will assist with any questions related to registration, hotel upgrades, and all logistical matters. We welcome your questions.
This trip is limited to 20 guests and your booking is requested by April 9, 2025. A minimum of 14 guests is required to operate this trip. All programming may change and is subject to availability of hosts and venues.
Please note that most commercial flights would depart the Philadelphia area on Wednesday, Sept 17th and arrive between 10:00 am and 2:00 pm on Thursday, Sept 18th. The transfer from Marseilles airpot to Aix-en-Provence is approximately 30 minutes.
Day 1
Thursday, September 18, 2025
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ArrivalsIndividual arrivals throughout the day. |
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Check-inCheck into the Hôtel Le Pigonnet. |
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Vineyard and artAfternoon visit to the famous Château La Coste to see the permanent art and architecture installation and the temporary exhibition. |
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DinnerDinner to follow at one of the restaurants of the estate. |
A few steps from the Cours Mirabeau, the heart of Aix-en-Provence, Le Pigonnet vibrates like a typical Provençal village, between parentheses of inspiration, gourmet rendezvous, and moments of well-being. An 18th-century country house, originally designed as a "Folie" - from the Latin folia (leaf), which designates a country residence surrounded by wooded gardens - Le Pigonnet is distinguished by its French gardens and fountains, which have made its reputation. Today it celebrates its 100th anniversary with a renaissance of newly designed rooms, suites and common spaces.
Day 2
Friday, September 19, 2025
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Cézanne home visitFull morning visit of the Jas de Bouffan mansion and garden estate, property of the Cézanne family until 1899, where Paul Cézanne found his main motifs of inspiration for over 40 years. |
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LunchPicnic/light buffet lunch in the gardens of Jas de Bouffan. |
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Museum visitMusée Granet for a guided tour of the exhibition Cézanne au Jas de Bouffan and of their Cézanne collection with Bruno Ely, Head Curator and Director. |
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Private collectionTour Hotel Villeneuve d' Ansouis with owner Juliana Montfort. The hotel is one of the best examples of baroque architrecture in Aix. |
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DinnerRelaxed dinner at restaurant Il était une fois. |
Jas de Bouffan is a famous Aix estate that played a crucial role in the history of modern art. The Cézanne's bought the estate in 1859 and it stayed in the family until 1899. For Paul Cézanne, it was a safe haven where he felt grounded as he travelled between Paris and Aix-en-Provence.
The mansion saw the artist blossom for 40 years, from his first experimental drawings in the Grand Salon to creating his masterpieces. Cézanne painted a whole host of pieces here, such as still lifes, portraits and landscapes. The property itself, including its buildings and grounds, inspired 36 oil paintings and 17 watercolours. He also painted his famous artwork, The Card Players, in the manor between 1890 and 1895.
Jas de Bouffan is now under renovation to become a prime visitor centre celebrating Paul Cézanne bringing you a unique cultural experience.
Day 3
Saturday, September 20, 2025
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Quarry tourVisit the quarry of Bibémus for a guided tour with conservator, Michel Fraisset, Director of Atelier Cézanne. |
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Guided tourA walk/light hike in the woods of Le Tholonet, for a view of le Château Noir and a remote view of Sainte-Victoire mountain. |
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LunchLunch at restaurant Chez Thomé in Le Tholonet. |
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Village visitWe will have a walking tour on "Champ de Tir" and the steps of prehistoric dinosaurs with Thierry Tortosa, paleontologist and conservator of the natural park of Sainte-Victoire, and Yves Dutour, director of the Muséum d'Histoire Naturelle. |
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DinnerDinner tonight at hotel restaurant La Table du Pigonnet after our hiking day. |
The Bibémus quarries, are where the Master of Aix, Cézanne spent many years capturing the richness of nature. You will be immerged in the landscape Cézanne loved to represent. You will be inspired by the beauty of this place and by the light.
Day 4
Sunday, September 21, 2025
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Walking tourVisit the deposits of the Muséum d'Histoire Naturelle, closed to the public, for a special visit of the collections and of the dinosaurs' eggs with the director Yves Dutour. |
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LunchLunch at restaurant Gaodina. |
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Gardanne visitTour the village of Gardanne to discover Cézanne's views in the village and surroundings. |
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Farm visitFerme de Bellevue, an ancient farm which belonged to Cézanne's sister. We will be welcomed by the present owner, who will show us around the property and the famous "pigeonnier" (dovecote) painted by Cézanne. |
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Atelier of CézanneA private visit of Atelie of Cézanne (Cézanne's studio) on Lauves hill where he painted from 1902 until his death in 1906. |
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Farewell dinnerA wonderful dinner at restaurant Côté Cour in the historic center of Aix. |
The particular light of Provence guided him on his creative path to the threshold of abstraction.
The Atelier is in Aix-en-Provence and the surrounding area that you can share Cézanne's experience intensely, as you visit the streets, places and landscapes that marked the life, the outlook and the work of the father of modern painting.
The Sainte-Victoire Mountain dominates the master's work. He created 44 oils and 43 watercolors focused on this subject, that are currently preserved in museums around the world and in private collections. The most famous paintings have been painted from this wonderful panorama, located on the chemin de la Marguerite (Margaret way) on the Lauves' hill.
The city of Aix-en-Provence has converted the surrounding area into the Land of Painters: facing the mountain, new reproductions on lava of the best Cézanne's "Sainte-Victoire" inviting contemplation.
Day 5
Monday, September 22, 2025
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DeparturesCheck-out time is at 12 pm. Depart at your leisure. |
Price
- $6,995 per person for double occupancy
- $8,275 per person for single occupancy
Inclusions
- Private arrival pick-up at Marseille Provence Airport as well as departure transfer
- Accommodations at the Hôtel Le Pigonnet
in Provence on Thursday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday - Breakfast each day at our hotel
- Entry to all museums, gardens and estates
- All meals and cocktail programs featuring dining inspired by local flavors and specialities
- Transportation throughout the trip in a luxury coach
- All fees and gratuities, including baggage porter services
Exclusions
- International flights from the US to Marseille are not included in the trip price
- Travel and medical insurance (recommended)
Cancellations
- No refund will be provided for cancellations within sixty days of the trip's start date. If the museum has another patron to fill a spot, a substitution will be allowed. After the trip has commenced, no refunds are available, even if the client does not partake in all of the trip's activities or leaves the trip early. The final payment due will be automatically charged to the same credit card used for registration, 60 days prior to the trip
- We highly recommend trip insurance offered when booking
