In the footsteps of the master painters in Provence

Why did so many famous artists focus on the French Riviera for their work?

The tourist office for the Cote d’Azur has produced a brochure which features an itinerary taking in 10 major sites which were frequented by some of the famous artists who were attracted to the region by the quality of the light (and the lifestyle too, I suspect!). The brochure is beautifully illustrated and includes copies of the original artists’ views of the region

From the end of the 19^th Century onwards, many artists became fascinated by the tranquil lifestyle and luminosity of the Côte d’Azur. The diversity of the landscapes, the clement climate, the exuberant nature of the place, the magical colours and extraordinary light and the apparent gift of healing and embellishing has never failed to evoke inspiration and creative energy for the numerous famous painters who visited or lived in the region. With a unique cultural abundance, the French Riviera had become a place privileging freedom, experimentation and a land of welcome, refuge and well-being for inventors of modernity who can be found in the artists’ studios in Antibes, Cagnes-sur-Mer or in Saint-Paul-de-Vence.
Spanning ten communes in the Alpes-Maritimes Department, the route provides numerous lecterns put in place on sites of original paintings so that you can follow in the footsteps of Picasso, Chagall, Monet, Renoir, Dufy, Cocteau, Bonnard, Soutine, Derain, Cross, Boudin, Peynet…

You can view or print the Art Provence brochure at www.guideriviera.com

In the hills behind the coast at Cagnes-sur-Mer is a very Provencal B&B with views to the sea from the terrace: B&B The Frogs House