The Granet Museum in Aix has just reopened its doors after a huge renovation programme that will continue until January of next year. Only then will the museum be able to show all its permanent collections at one and the same time, including works by Daret, Matisse, Picasso and Rembrandt.

The museum owes its origins to the duke of Villars, who in 1765 founded the first Academy of art in Aix and put some of the best works from his own private collection on display for the pupils to copy. In 1825 what was by then a renowned art school, attracting pupils even from Paris, was given a permanent home in the old priory of the Maltese Knights of Saint John, which had been bought by the municipality. Thirteen years later the priory was turned into Musée Granet.

After more than four years of renovation and expansion, the museum when complete will have five times as much floor display space, workshops, a bookshop and a cafeteria. Until 12 May there is no admission charge between 1 p.m. and 6 p.m. In June the reopening will be celebrated with a spectacular exhibition, Cézanne en Provence. Nearly 120 works by the celebrated painter, an extraordinary number given their value, will be simultaneously on display. 

Musée Granet
Place Saint-Jean-de-Malte
F- 13100 Aix-en-Provence
http://www.cezanne-2006.com

Closed Sundays and Tuesdays