Field of the Painters — Attraction in Aix-en-Provence

It's a VERY basic lookout point. Come early before it gets hot, or an hour or two before sunset. Apparently France is riddled with mosquitos in summer, and this park is no different - spray up! There are no bathrooms, benches, or water fountains, and no shade. You are also immediately surrounded by rich local mansions and homes so it does feel secluded, at least at this time of posting. There are hedges and trees - but no soft grass for picnicking, mostly mulch, stone steps, and one section that may have been grass before summer struck.

The view to the mountain is inspiring and in the distance you can see a tower or other lookout point poking through the trees - so the adventurous may try to make it even closer to the mountain for even better views with Google Maps and fortitude. (That's probably a serious time investment of at least another hour.)

Entrance 1: Stop at Les Paintres, turn around (facing downhill), cross the street, walk 20 feet to the trail base on your right, which is just before the next street. You will see a hill of large, uneven stone steps as shown in photos from other reviews. (No pavers sized or graded or shaped the same, uneven heights, widths, shapes, etc). Some areas to the left and right as you climb are empty, meaning you can bypass the steps if you prefer - some sections are very steep, some very easy and gradual. The trail switches back and forth up to the lookout. From the bus stop to the top took 15 min, going at a leisurely pace. There are no hand rails.

Entrance 2 - No steps! Same bus stop, but instead walk up the hill, turn left at the next street (L - Chemin de la Margeurite, L- Rue Marie Madeline Fourcade) and left again to the roundabout. To your left is a pedestrian only red brick path (blocked by black metal rails). Enter there - you will pass between homes on a private trail. You will pop out on an inner small street - cross that to continue up the hill on the same brick trail. This will eventually bring you to the sign that reads, in French, "Here Cezanne painted." Continue on the path - and you'll be at...

A truly magical place with powerful energy. Standing here — overlooking the mountain that Cézanne once painted — I felt a deep sense of connection, like all roads were converging at this very point. The view, the silence, the air — everything felt timeless and full of presence. My body responded instantly: I was moved to start a spontaneous movement practice, inspired by the space and its strength. It was one of those rare places where you don’t just observe beauty — you become part of it. Thank you for this moment. I’ll carry it with me.

As a choreographer and somatic practitioner, I experience places through the body and movement. This place passed through me — and I through it. It...

To much "noise" for just a regular place. I could not quite manged to find the "magic" of the place. I imagine for Cezanne it was inspirational at that time, but in the meantime the landscape has changed. Maybe if they'd built a watch tower your manage to have a better view, otherwise the line of the small trees surrounding the houses everywhere, stop you from really appreciate the landscape. I hope you can...