We spent Saturday biking along the Route de Cezanne, the D17, a road that runs through Le Tholonet and under Montagne Sainte-Victoire, pictured below. The mountain and its surrounding landscape captivated Cezanne throughout his life starting with boyhood walks with his friend Emile Zola, whose father was building a dam in the area. I first came here on a bicycle trip in late February of 2002 and have wanted since that time to come back and see the landscape in summer when most of Cezanne's landscapes of the area were painted. It's a stunning place, hot and dry in the summer, and filled with the sound of cicadas and birds. The mountain changes dramatically as you move around its profile and as the sun passes over its jagged forms throughout the day.
Grounds of the Chateau de Tholonet now the headquarters of the Canal du France.
Along the south face of the mountain which now attracts hikers and para gliders.
Picasso so emulated Cezanne that he bought the Chateau de Vauvenargues which looks up at Montagne Sainte-Victoire. He did not paint the mountain view which he believed belonged to Cezanne, but he is buried on its grounds facing the mountain.
In the late afternoon, we went into Aix to have dinner and walk around the town which had just started its summer arts an music festival. This candy store sits under some of the sycamore trees that give it a dappled light. This girl carries one of the handsome bags the store uses with its candies.
This cafe's colorful seating lit up the little street.
Later that night we watched an auto show on the Cour Mirabeau, the owners in period costume.
Distinctive luggage on the backs of these touring cars.
The audience at the judging stand
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