Through Cézanne's Eye

The experience begins in Aix-en-Provence, with a walk through the historic centre along the streets and markets that shaped the world of Paul Cézanne. Squares, fountains, artisan shops, and market stalls reveal the character of the town, while stories of Cézanne and the artistic life of Provence accompany the walk. Late in the morning, a scenic drive takes you south through the landscape dominated by Mont Sainte-Victoire, crossing the mountain’s southern flank above vineyards and Provençal villages, the same mountain that appears again and again in Cézanne’s paintings. You then stop for lunch in the village of Puyloubier, beneath the mountain, on a shaded square beside the fountain. In the afternoon, the experience turns to the Sainte-Victoire wine area, with tastings at two vineyards set against the mountain. The first is a small producer committed to biodiversity, with vines planted on high slopes. The second is a family-run winery known for its wines.

Following Cézanne in Provence brings together three ways of experiencing the same landscape in a single day. You first encounter Mont Sainte-Victoire through Cézanne, who returned to it repeatedly in his paintings. You then cross the landscape itself, before arriving in the vineyards that still shape its slopes today. Aix-en-Provence, Mont Sainte-Victoire, and the vineyards beneath it are not treated as separate stops, but as parts of the same story. The day moves from Cézanne’s world to the physical landscape that inspired him, and then to the people who continue to work that land. In the vineyards beneath Mont Sainte-Victoire, winegrowing is shaped by terrain, exposure, and elevation. Visiting two producers carefully chosen by Christopher and Laurent shows how differently growers work with the same mountain landscape, from high slopes shaped by biodiversity to a family-run winery.

You will be guided by Christopher or Laurent, licensed guides based in Marseille. They have been guiding travelers across Provence for more than eight years, building on more than twenty-five years of personal familiarity with the region’s landscapes, towns, and cultural rhythms. Their work draws on long observation of Provence’s varied terrain and everyday life, allowing them to share both well-known sites and the lesser-noticed stories that make the region distinctive. Christopher is originally from England and Laurent is French. Both spent many years in London before relocating to Marseille in 2013, traveling widely during that time and developing a deep curiosity about place and culture. In 2018 they launched their guiding venture together, bringing their passion for connection and cultural exchange to experiences across Provence. Their approach unfolds at an easy pace with space for conversation, close observation, and pleasure of shared time.

Comfortable walking shoes. Sunscreen and a hat. A camera or SmartPhone to record the occasion.