The Bibémus quarries give you a unique insight into Paul Cezanne’s creative world, surrounded by the Sainte-Victoire Grand Site and 6km from Aix-en-Provence. The rocky plateau’s ochre stone was once extracted here before the artist made it his outdoor studio. Cezanne painted 11 oil paintings and 16 watercolours here, including the world-famous The Red Rock. This fabulous site now hosts exclusive guided tours so you can uncover the history of the quarries, the fascinating geology and unbreakable bond between Cezanne and the landscape that paved the way for Cubism.
Open all year
Carrières de Bibémus
13100 Aix-en-Provence
OPENING TIMES
Open all year and only for guided tours and excursions.
BOOKING
Office de Tourisme d’Aix-en-Provence 300 av Guiseppe Verdi 13100 Aix-en-Provence
The history of the Bibémus quarries: from Antiquity to Cezanne
The captivating Bibémus quarries date back to Antiquity. Quarrying here began in Roman times, with its signature bright ochre stone used to build countless buildings in Aix, including the Town Hall and manors in the Mazarin district and Cours Mirabeau.
Intensive quarrying came to an end in the 19th century as new quarries like the one in Rognes took over.
Cezanne and the dawn of Cubism
Paul Cezanne set up his easel in the silent and solitary abandoned quarries that would soon become a vital part of his art. Some of the 27 pieces he painted here between 1890 and 1904 capture his avant-garde style. The most famous include The Bibémus Quarry at the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art in Kansas City and Mont Sainte-Victoire Seen from the Bibémus Quarry at the Baltimore Museum of Art.
The pieces he painted in the quarries marked the dawn of a new artistic era. His work on perspective with colour and geometric rock, paved the way for the major 20th century art movement that is Cubism. Cezanne influenced the greatest artists, including Braque and Picasso.
What happened to the Bibémus quarries?
George Bunker, an American art enthusiast and big fan of Cezanne’s work, bought them in 1954. When he died in 1991, he left them to Aix-en-Provence with several conditions: the quarries had to stay open to visitors and protected to celebrate the work of Cezanne.
Aix-en-Provence has honoured these terms with care and attention since 1998, when the first site work began.
Top 5 reasons to visit the Bibémus quarries
1. Walk in Cezanne’s shoes
2. Drink in the incredible scenery
3. Broaden your mind with guided tours and activities
4. Enjoy panoramic views of Sainte-Victoire
5. Experience unique cultural events
Open all year
Carrières de Bibémus
13100 Aix-en-Provence
OPENING TIMES
Open all year and only for guided tours and excursions.
BOOKING
Office de Tourisme d’Aix-en-Provence 300 av Guiseppe Verdi 13100 Aix-en-Provence
Visit the Bibémus quarries: guided tours and activities
Explore the Bibémus quarries
Aix-en-Provence began a restoration campaign in 2022 to give visitors to the Bibémus Quarries a new and even more immersive experience in the world of Paul Cezanne.
The iconic site has elevated its visitor journey with new footpaths and information boards showcasing Cezanne’s artwork. These changes mean you can compare the actual landscapes with the artist’s take on them.
Events and guided tours
The Bibémus quarries will also host cultural events in 2025, turning the historical site into a buzzing hub where art, Provençal nature and Cezanne’s heritage all come together.
Guided tours of the Bibémus quarries make them a prime cultural tourist destination in Aix-en-Provence.
Plan your visit to the Bibémus quarries
Carrières de Bibémus
13100 Aix-en-Provence – Meeting point to be announced depending on the guided tour chosen.
Open all year and only for guided tours and excursions.
Office de Tourisme 300 av Guiseppe Verdi 13100 Aix-en-Provence.
