Bastide du Jas de Bouffan (Bastide of Jas de Bouffan), Aix-en-Provence

The Bastide du Jas de Bouffan is a historic house connected to painter Paul Cézanne. His family bought it in 1859, and it remained their main residence until 1899. Cézanne lived and worked there for about 40 years, although he spent some time away. It was central to his early development, where he painted portraits and many scenes from the estate. He also worked on landscapes of Montagne Sainte-Victoire and views of the Bibémus quarry, both located nearby.

Inside, Cézanne painted directly on the walls, mainly in the ground-floor salon between about 1859 and 1869. Around ten murals are known today, including one uncovered in 2023, and most were later removed and placed in museum collections. His work here also led to paintings such as The Card Players, based on local farm workers. The interior was simple, with high ceilings suited for large compositions.

The grounds include a park with straight paths, rows of trees, and open spaces. Cézanne often painted the chestnut tree avenue near the entrance, along with repeated views of the house and garden, including The Chestnut Tree Alley and Le Jas de Bouffan. He observed changes in light during the day and used them in his work. The site is under restoration and is expected to reopen in 2025, with parts of the interior recreated, including the painted salon.