Cézanne had the large, high-ceilinged studio built specifically to accommodate his large-scale 'Bathers' series, which were too big for his previous home.
The studio features a narrow vertical slit in the wall that allowed Cézanne to move large canvases in and out of the building without going through the doors.
Many of the specific objects found in his still-life works, such as the plaster cupid and the ginger jar, are still displayed on the exact shelves where he kept them.
The studio was purchased by the city of Aix-en-Provence in 1969 to prevent it from being converted into a private residence.
The interior paint color of the walls was chosen by Cézanne specifically to minimize glare and optimize his color perception.
Atelier des Lauves is the final studio used by Paul Cézanne, where he worked daily from 1902 until his death in 1906. The space remains largely as he left it, housing his original painting equipment, furniture, and personal items. Visitors can view his worktable, wooden easel, and the specific props featured in his famous still-life paintings, such as skulls, pottery, and dried flowers. The studio is located on a hillside property that offers a direct connection to the artist's creative process and landscape inspiration. The light in the studio is controlled by a large north-facing window specifically designed to provide consistent illumination for his painting practice. The site is managed as a commemorative museum dedicated to preserving the artist's professional environment. It sits within a residential neighborhood on the northern outskirts of Aix-en-Provence.
The north-facing window frame looking out toward the garden and the studio's preserved work desk.
Book tickets well in advance online, as the small size of the studio limits the number of visitors allowed inside at one time.
Combine your visit with a walk to the nearby 'Terrain des Peintres' to see the exact landscape view that inspired many of his paintings.
Wear comfortable shoes, as the site is situated on a slope with hilly walking paths nearby.
Do not expect a large, modern art gallery; this is a small, intimate historical site focused on the preservation of a singular room.
Closed on certain public holidays and occasionally during transitions between temporary exhibitions.
No photography with flash inside the studio; keep voices low to maintain the quiet atmosphere.
