Colours of Provence
I’ve always loved bright colours, be that in clothing, furnishings and in the natural surroundings. Red is my favourite colour.
Of course, bright sunny weather makes everything more colourful. When I began to think of my next blogpost it just had to be about Provence. Come with me to the south of France where I will take you on picturesque journey through Provence. From the red ochre cliffs of Roussillon to the sparkling blue waters of the Côte d’Azur.
Provence inspires me to be creative and I’ve experimented with mosaics and water colour sketching. Some of my favourite artists were drawn to this area. The great weather may have played a part too!
Here are a few famous artists who have enjoyed the Colours of Provence.
Sunflowers are my favourites and Vincent van Gogh loved to paint them
Vincent van Gogh 1853-1890, moved to Arles in February 1888, tired of the bustle of Paris. He was highly productive with his art but did suffer a few psychosis attacks, famously cutting off his ear during one of attacks. In 1889, Van Gogh voluntarily admitted himself to Saint-Paul-de-Mausole, a monastery, on the outskirts of Saint-Rémy-de-Provence, where he was treated for depression. He completed many of his famous artworks during this period. You can take a self-guided walk from the village of Saint-Rémy-de-Provence to the monastery, pausing at markers along to read about his artworks along the way and you can visit the monastery, see top photo.
Mottled green platanes (plane trees) provide welcome shade along the streets and in the squares
Paul Cézanne 1839-1906, is the most well-known former resident of Aix-en-Provence. He was born and died here. His biggest love was the mountain, Mont Sainte-Victoire just outside of the town. He painted it 87 times. https://www.cezanne-en-provence.com/les-sites-de-cezanne/
Luscious green vineyard Ménerbes
Pierre-Auguste Renoir 1841-1919 , was an impressionist painter. In 1892 he developed rheumatoid arthritis and in 1907, he moved to the warmer climate of the Côte d’Azur. His home was Les Collettes in Cagnes-sur-Mer. He lived here from 1908 “the place where I want to paint until the last day of my life”. Even though he was suffering from severe arthritis he continued to paint with brushes strapped to his paralysed fingers. He died in 1919. Today his home is Musée Renoir.
Pablo Picasso 1881-1973, was born in Malaga, Spain. He was inspired by Cézanne and purchased many of his paintings. Picasso eventually purchased a 17th-century castle, Château of Vauvenargues in Vauvenargues, near to Aix-en-Provence. He lived here, with his second wife from 1958-1965 and chose to be buried here. He also lived in Mougins inland from Cannes, for the last 12 years of his life (1961–1973). You can see some of Picasso’s work in the Picasso Museum in Antibes.
Antibes is one of our favourite places
Purple iris in Villecroze, which is located in the Var department of Provence. These remind me of Vincent van Gogh’s paintings
Henri Matisse 1869-1954, was born in the north of France. He is known for his use of colour and his involvement with the art movement, fauvism. He was heavily involved in the creation of the Chapelle du Rosaire de Vence (Matisse Chapel) in Vence, from its architectural design to stained-glass windows, interior murals and ceramics. He lived in Nice from 1917 until his death in 1954.
Lavender fields of the Luberon. Visit from late June and into July to enjoy this experience.
Marc Chagall 1887-1985, was born in Russia. He lived in Saint-Paul-de-Vence. There is a museum in Nice dedicated to his work. Not only was he a painter and a sculptor, but he also made mosaics and beautiful stained-glass windows.
Bougainvillea spills over the stone walls in the village of Saint-Paul-de-Vence
The iconic pink roofed hotel Le Negresco in Nice is still on our list of places to vist
C’est moi enjoying an amazing meal in Marseille with the view of the old harbour below
The old harbour in Marseille with colourful fishing boats
Typical Provençal scenery with a multitude of different greens complimenting the yellow farmhouse
Pink flamingos, Camargue
Ruhl Plage Chris and I spent a wonderfully decadent day here. Waiters deliver food and drinks to your sunbed
Markets are a feast for the eyes. Not only can you enjoy all the fresh produce, like glossy strawberries, plump tomatoes, crisp salad greens and juicy apricots but there are stalls of different coloured soaps, bags of lavender, colourful linen and pretty baskets to tempt you.
C’est moi purchasing soap at the market in Malaucène, Provence
A rainbow of coloured baskets at the market in Malaucène, Provence
Old stone buildings with French shutters
Colourful awnings and floral displays in L’isle sur la sorgue
Old stone buildings with terracotta roofs provide a canvas from which pop the brightly coloured awnings and parasols of cafés. Village houses sit side by side with painted shutters and doors in a range of blues and greens. Along the Cote d’Azur, there is a myriad of colourful buildings nestled against each other, reminding me of choosing your favourite gelato flavour – strawberry, lemon, orange, apricot, mint.
Delicious and colourful gelato
C’est moi enjoying a colourful lunch in Bonnieux, Provence with produce from the local market
Immerse yourself in this colourful landscape. Provence has all the colours of the rainbow to cheer your soul and put a smile on your face. À bientôt!
