Musée Granet

The Musée Granet in Aix-en-Provence is one of the oldest and richest art museums in France. Its history goes back to 1765, when the antiquities collection of Fauris de Saint-Vincent formed its foundation. Since the 19th century, the museum has housed its treasures in a former priory of the Knights of Malta, built in the Mazarin Quarter. The building has carried its current name since 1949, in honor of the painter François Marius Granet, who bequeathed his artworks to the city in 1849. The architectural complex was expanded over several decades and underwent a comprehensive renovation between 1990 and 2006 to present the exhibits to their best advantage.

You'll find a diverse collection ranging from archaeology to modern art. The entrance hall displays Celto-Ligurian finds and Roman artifacts, including the famous head sculptures that served as trophies. Upstairs, 19th-century paintings dominate, including Romantic landscapes and works by Ingres, Matisse, and Léger. Dutch masters such as Rubens and the Master of Flémalle are also represented. The highlight of the collection, however, is the eight long-term loans by Paul Cézanne, which span his entire artistic development from early copies to late Cubist-influenced works and underscore the artist's close connection to his native city.