Provence has always been a great inspiration source for many painters, such as Cezanne or Van Gogh to name a few. Picasso himself was not indifferent to Provence and its charms and spent numerous years in the area.
In his early years, Picasso often came to Provence to visit friends (Braque, Matisse, Man Ray) and paint some of his major works, inspired by local landscapes and the intense Provencal light. In 1955, he settled in Cannes... and never left. He died in Mougins in 1973, aged 92.
In 2009, Provence celebrated the 50th anniversary of Pablo Picasso’s involvement in Jean Cocteau's Testament of Orpheus movie filmed here in Les Baux de Provence (1959). Here are a few Provence museums showcasing Picasso’s work...
Granet Museum (Musee Granet)
The Granet Museum is one of the Provence’s most famous museums and is located in the heart of the historic Mazarin quartier of Aix-en-Provence. The museum is named after famous local painter François Marius Granet. It has an impressive permanent collection which includes Picasso, Rembrandt, Cézanne, Ingres, Giacometti and Mondrian, along with special exhibitions. The permanent collections make it one of the richest provincial museums with works by mostly French painters of the XVIth to the XXth centuries and different schools of Dutch, Flemish and Italian art.
Visit the Granet Museum’s website for more information about visiting hours, admission fees and current exhibitions.
The Musee Reattu (Le musee Reattu)
The Musee Reattu was created in 1968 and named after Arles painter Jacques Réattu who bought the building to live and work in and dreamed about opening a residence for artists. The Arles museum is the realisation of that dream and is located on the banks of the Rhône in the former Grand Priory of the Order of Malta and presents old works (17th-19th centuries), drawings and paintings by Picasso and contemporary art. The museum organises temporary exhibitions (about three each year) to present its new acquisitions to the public and is primarily interested in showcasing contemporary art.
Visit the Musée Reattu website for more information about visiting hours, admission fees and current exhibitions.
Follow in the footsteps of this inimitable artist... Enjoy a voyage back in time with Picasso, in Provence. For more information about any of Provence’s museums and other historical and cultural attractions, speak to the friendly staff at Benvengudo Provence Hotel & Restaurant who will be able to guide you during your next stay...
Benvengudo is your ideal choice amongst all the Provence hotels. Located in the heart of Provence, our boutique hotel offers easy access to the delightful village of Les Baux de Provence. Saint-Rémy-de-Provence, Arles, Avignon are nearby and Marseille International Airport is just over an hour away... See all the Provence attractions, events and historical locations that surround us. Make your online Provence hotel reservation, enquire online or call our friendly Reservations Team on ++33 (0)4 90 54 32 54 to book. Browse our classic Provence hotel accommodation rooms or explore our Provence hotel specials, packages and deals for your next Provence holidays, romantic getaways or weekend and mid-week escapes.