Discover Provencal art and much more at the Musée Granet

As far back as the 2nd century BC, the Saly civilisation that inhabited the region brought together Mediterranean and northern traditions. Much later, in the 14th century, Aix artists took advantage of their proximity to Avignon, and therefore to the papacy, to draw inspiration from the Italian avant-garde. When King René settled in Aix-en-Provence a century later, he attracted a number of renowned Flemish painters to his retinue.

In the 17th century, many artists made an exodus to Italy, but some, like Charles André Van Loo and Jean Daret, decided to stop their journey in Aix and settle there. And while the Parisian influence dominated the 18th century, the Provencal school asserted itself in the 19th century with artists such as Jean Auguste Dominique Ingres and François Marius Granet.

Paul Cézanne, who was born in Aix-en-Provence at the same time, drew on the heritage of Provençal art to lay the foundations of modern art. His works influenced the greatest European painters, from the Russian Vassily Kandinsky and the Italian Alberto Giacometti to the Dutch Piet Mondrian and the French Fernand Léger.

The Musée Granet exhibits around 750 works, providing a history of artistic creation from primitive to contemporary art, including works from the Renaissance. There is also a rare collection of archaeological objects from the Celto-Ligurian site of Entremont, illustrating Greek and Celtic influences in Gaul, as well as a number of Egyptian artefacts. The sculpture gallery features works by Aix sculptors from the 18th and 19th centuries, as well as busts of the region's great artists such as Cézanne, Mirabeau and Vauvenargues.

The Musée Granet also boasts an impressive collection of old paintings from the four corners of Europe, including works by Rubens, Rigaud, Preti and Rembrandt. Of course, the museum is also dedicated to François Marius Granet, from whom it takes its name.

You can also explore the trends in French painting at the beginning of the 19th century, from neo-classicism to romanticism, with an emphasis on Provençal landscape painters such as Engalières, Loubon and Grésy, the predecessors of Paul Cézanne. The museum has a special place for Cézanne, with six watercolours, several drawings and engravings, and ten paintings by the artist, including the only surviving portrait of Emile Zola by Paul Cézanne.

The 20th-century collections show the influence that Cézanne had on European artists of the time, including Alberto Giacometti, Piet Mondrian, Nicolas de Staël, Bram van Velde, Giorgio Morandi, Paul Klee, Balthus, Fernand Léger and even Picasso. The Musée Granet also organises temporary exhibitions and educational and cultural activities to introduce the public to modern and contemporary art, without neglecting ancient art.

With its impressive collection of works from the region, the Musée Granet is a must-see during your stay in Aix-en-Provence. Allow at least two hours to visit the museum to see all the exhibitions.

🚌 How do I get to the Musée Granet?

The Granet museum is located in the centre of Aix-en-Provence, three streets from the Cours Mirabeau. It can be reached by public transport on bus routes 1, 3 and 13, which serve the Saint-Jean stop.

If you are coming by car, the Carnot and Mignet car parks are the nearest to the museum.

⏰ Granet Museum opening times

The Musée Granet is open Tuesday to Sunday from 12pm to 6pm. It is closed on 1 January, 1 May and 25 December.

👛 Granet museum prices

• Full price: €6
• Students under 26: free
• Under 18s: free
• Guided tour: €4 + admission fee
• City Pass Aix-en-Provence: free

To find out all the prices and book your ticket online, go directly to the official Aix-en-Provence Tourist Office website. Guided tours cannot be booked online.