L’Oeuvre de Monticelli 1824-86′
is the new exhibition at the Fondation Monticelli which is on the hillside above L’Estaque. Marseille-born, this artist inspired Van Gogh. There’s a short film of his paintings here which may be of interest if you decide to go: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cxWigtL1wSc
Whatever you think of his work, the gallery is a fantastic place to visit. It was formerly a fort, built in 1861, looking out to sea, high above Marseille. It was opened in 2010 after 5 years of work and is a superb renovation. The big windows have views across the Mediterranean to the city- you can sit and watch the ferries and cruise ships coming in to port as well as planes making their final approach to Marignane. All very distracting!
There is a very large free car-park but no café. So if you need sustenance, a short drive down to L’Estaque brings you to lots of restaurants. It’s fun too to have a walk around the old fishing port and, if you want more art history, there are panels to take you round a trail of locations where Cézanne and various cubists set up their easels. A nice afternoon out, all in all.
It’s open Wednesday-Sunday 10-17:00hrs. The exhibition runs to 4th May.