Provence School of the South

“When you’re born there, it’s hopeless, nothing else is good enough.” So beguiled was Cézanne by his home region of Provence, he is reputed to have spoken these words, and certainly he never tired of painting the area in his lifetime. Cézanne was not alone. It’s no wonder that the area became such a source of inspiration to generations of painters who flocked here to discover and celebrate the artistic qualities of the land, this part of the country somehow distils the very essence of France. Rolling vineyards, olive groves, lavender fields, ancient history and vibrant local markets are united under a warm Mediterranean sky. Our base for this tour is gorgeous Aix-en-Provence. Often described as ‘the little Paris’ owing to a profusion of elegant buildings and fountains, it was the lifelong home of Cézanne, and we will trace the artist’s footsteps here and in the surrounding area. We will also follow the trail of Van Gogh, who created some of his best-loved works during the tempestuous period he spent in Provence. Countless others have been creatively stirred by the beauty of the region and will be encountered on this new Art Pursuits Abroad tour, which combines idyllic scenery with gastronomic pleasures and a broad variety of art and architecture.