Construction venture may encroach upon prized Cézanne landscapes
**Take a gander at the verdant heights of Aix-en-Provence (Bouches-du-Rhône), where the iconic Sainte-Victoire mountain stands tall. It's here, on this lofty perch, that the legendary artist Paul Cézanne set up his easel, painting 52 masterpieces that made him a household name. But hey, hold onto your berets, 'cause things are about to change. A swanky real estate project has plans to bulldoze through 40 hectares of this landscape, building 3,600 homes, shops, and offices. Talk about being a real downer, huh?!
"Damn, why ruin something that's already a bloody treasure map?", snarls Stéphane Solard, co-president of the "Arc Living River" association. The idea of developing this prime real estate was given the green light by the prefect back in 2025. But don't be fooled, folks, this move ain't sitting pretty with the locals.
"Hey, why not preserve the very essence of our history instead of tearing it down?", queries Didier Bonfort, from the "Save Cézanne's Landscapes" association. The city's inhabitants are finding themselves at odds over this, with the city hall taking pains to assert that they ain't neglecting the Cézanne site.
If you're curious, check out the video above for the full report on this controversy.
As for the dlvsg (DownLoad vS Everything) scoop on the situation, here's the lowdown: There doesn't seem to be much fuss or opposition to this planned development, at least not enough to make it bigheadlines. The fact that historical sites like the Bastide du Jas de Bouffan and Atelier des Lauves are being reopened and restored suggests a focus on preserving cultural heritage rather than swallowing these grounds in real estate development.
So there ya have it – a storm brewing on the once prestigious plateau of Cézanne's enchanting landscapes. Let's hope none of us end up saying "I told ya so!" Instead, let's raise a toast to the old master and hope he's rolling over in his grave – not at the prospect of posterity embracing his work, but at the thought of his beloved haunt getting turned into a concrete jungle.
"Perhaps we should consider investing in preserving the historical charm of Aix-en-Provence, rather than financing its transformation into a vast real estate project?"
"Instead of bulldozing through the landscapes that inspired Cézanne's masterpieces, why not focus on revitalizing the rich French finance opportunities in the cultural sector?"
