July 24, 2007
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Cezanne and the magical mountain
La montagne Sainte - Victoire en Provence
The Mountain Sainte - Victoire in Provence
English version below the pictures
La première chose que nous avons fait en Juin dernier en arrivant à Aix – en Provence , fut d’ aller voir la montagne Sainte Victoire , une des plus célèbre montagnes de France .
Elle est le symbole de la Provence .Quand je regardais cette muraille blanche brillant au soleil j’ étais comme fasciné , attiré . Dans le même temps je m’ évanouissais dans les suaves senteurs des fleurs de Provence .
La montagne semblait venir vers moi . Ses scouleurs étaient changeantes .C’ était comme dans un rêve . Cette montagne a quelque chose de magique . Ele incite à la spiritualité .
Je comprends pourquoi le fameux peintre Cézanne était si captivé . Mais il n’ était jamais satisfait de ses peintures . Peut – on être satisfait de peindre un sentiment ?
Il réalisa plus de 60 peintures de cette montagne dans les années 1880 . Elles figurent dans les musées du monde entier . Voyez ici : http://perso.orange.fr/art-deco.france/cezanneng.htm
Coming from Aix -en -Provence we see the mountain Ste Victoire like cezanne saw it ( see the link )
Venant d ' Aix- en- Provence nous voyons la Montagne Sainte victoire comme la voyait Cézanne . photo M. fauquet . June 2007The first thing we did in last June in coming in Provence has been to visit the Mountain Ste Victoire ., one of the most famous mountains of France .
It is the symbol of Provence .( S.E .of France )
When I looked at this large white cliff shining under the sun I was like fascinated , attracted . In the same time I fainted with the suave scent of the flowers of Provence .
The mountain seemed coming towards me . Its colors were changing .It was like a dream . This mountain has something of magical . The place leads to the spirituality .
I understand why the famous painter Cezanne was so much captivated . But he was never satisfied of his paintings . Is it possible to paint a feeling ?
He made more than 60 paintings of this mountains in the years 1880 . They take place in the museums of the whole world . . See the link: http://perso.orange.fr/art-deco.france/cezanneng.htm___________________
J’ avais étudié la montagne Ste Victoire sur carte géoloqique quand j’ étais étudiant il ya lontemps mais je ne l’ avais jamais vue .
Les terrains calcaires blancs de la falaise sont plus anciens que les argiles rouges riches en fossiles d ' oeufs de dinosaures situées..... à la base ..
Les terrrains sont donc bouleversés . On peut ainsi s’imaginer la force de la tectonique et de l’ érosion pendant et après la formation des Alpes .
the calcareous rocks of the cliff are older than the red clay at the basis ( rich in dinosaurus eggs ) . Layers of rocks are bowled over
See the lavender that smells good at the foreground . Photo M. Fauquet June 2007
Le calcaire blanc de la falaise est plus vieux que l ' argile rouge de la base riche en oeufs de dinosaures . Les terrains sont inversés .
La lavande embaume au premier plan .
I had, a long time ago , studied the Montagne Ste Victoire on a geological map when I was at the university but I had never seen it .
The white calcareous rocks of the cliff are older than the red clays ( containing many fossils of eggs of dinosaurus ) at the basis . .
The layers of rocks are bowled over .Hence , we can imagine the stenght of the tectonic and of the erosion during and after the formation of the Alps .La Montagne Sainte Victoire est un endroit où se rejoignent le rêve , l’ art et la science .
The Montagne Sainte Victoire in Provence is a place where the dream joins the arts and sciences .
Comments (95)
how magnifique Michel! Such absolute beauty!
Very beautiful! I wish I could smell the lavender!
So beautiful!!
There is a poem called:
What Hemingway Learned from Cezanne
You must build a sentence like a mountain. You must start someplace flat. Someplace where you can stand and see the land roll out for miles. You must let the wind die down. The rain clear. Then you may bring them, one block at a time. You must pile them upon one another and lean each new one closer to the center so that it will hold as it rises toward the sky. Each piece must be inevitable, like a scripture you cannot erase. You must use the colors of the earth. Colors with a sense of gravity. Colors that over time dig roots of their own and feed off the rest. You must leave places for animals. Caves and gullies. Tall stands of pines. Streams that begin as snow and melt and gather and gush and fall quiet on the flats where trout live their secret lives. If there must be people in this landscape, let their lives be the troubled lives of good people who would like to follow these mountain paths back up to the top but cannot find the way.
by David Shumate, poet-in-residence, Marian College, Indiana, teacher of writing and literature.
Beautiful photos. The top one reminds me of central California--near Fresno and Yosemite Park.
My condolences for your loss. The tribute was lovely. He was a very blessed man to have such a large loving family around him.
No, you can't capture a feeling too easily but both you and Cezanne made excellent efforts. I loved seeing your photograph of the mountains Cezanne painted. Thank you. I'm glad you posted and hope everyone if well.
Christine
If = is. Hope everyone IS well.
It is a big rock and big rocks are very fascinating indeed.Cezanne wanted to caztch the feeling and he kept trying. I like the photo a lot, perhaps even more than the paintings...I know I shouldn't say that.
It is a wonderful work of art made by nature.
I would not even think of painting it.
Amitié
Carlo
Oh wonderful pictures and information. The year of the slug made me laugh. Judi
How picturesque! You reveal to us what Cezanne must have been thinking!
Bonjour Michel,
De notre lieu de vacances en juillet dernier, nous voyions la montagne Sainte Victoire tous les jours ! En effet, Mimet, notre village de séjour, était perché dans les montagnes qui lui font face au sud. Nous voulions aller en promenade à la Sainte Victoire et grimper jusqu'à son sommet. Seulement voilà, la chaleur épouvantable qui sévissait a découragé ce projet. Nous nous sommes consolés en la regardant, en en prenant des photos à différentes heures de la journée et en allant voir, à Aix-en-Provence, les tableaux qu'en avait peint Cézanne
)
Toutes mes condoléances pour le décès de ton beau-père. Il est toujours si difficile de perdre un être si cher et si proche. Il semble qu'il a vécu une vie longue et très bien remplie, avec une magnifique famille. Si cela était possible, on pourrait presque dire qu'il s'est bien éteint... Je comprends votre douleur.
Amitiés
Véronique
Beautiful
The card you sent ( La Ste Baume ) is fascinating especially as I presume the grotto was in the mountains of Provence. Mountains are breathtaking in their size and beauty and they way they show the events that formed them. 
Marie BTW It has been sunny here for the last two days - is summer a'coming ??? I doubt it somehow.
Such a beautiful wonder. Wish I could see that someday!
<3,
Aubrey
A quelle belles images (et j'espère que vous excuse mon mauvais francais...). Je les ai aime bien et je suis heureux de pouvoir communiquer un peu en Francais. Trop d'anglais dans la monde et demain je partirai pour deux semaines dans les Etats-Unis.
En voyant les images je dois dire que la France est très belle et elle a les meilleures vins....
Wow! to see the same view as Cezanne saw is a thrill. Thank you for the link too.
And thank you for the encouragement to swim! We needed the rain but the lightening ruins my plans to cross the Channel! I'll keep trying.
This is beautiful! Reminds me of some of our rugged mountains in our western states. Makes me a bit homesick. I miss my mountains! Of course, my mountains did not have fragrant lavender growing at their base----just lots of cacti!
I just went and looked at Cezanne's paintings of the mountain. Cannot get over the various styles he used in painting it. i suppose it depended on his mood---or perhaps he changed his style over time. I do not know much about him---except that he was a great artist!
Who took care of your garden while you were gone??
Some places do have a spirituality that you can feel.
Its great that you have finally see something that you studied at University. I have just been watching a show about the coast of Galway and how the ocean has affected the coast line. If you look back slightly in my blogs to my holiday photos you will see photos of the day we went to the Burren. The smell of all that lavender must of been wonderful
I enjoyed the link you provided as well as your pictures and commentary. It was fascinating to see the different aspects of this mountain that had so struck Cezanne; and to see, as well, the difference your viewpoint made in your pictures.
Thank you for sharing this with us, many of whom would otherwise never get to see.
Merci encore une fois pour partager ici des sites que je n'ai pas vu depuis bien longtemps!
Comment va la petite famille?
Amities, Isabelle
I enjoyed very much these photos of the mountain. Yes, the folds, uplifts, thrusts, and deformations signalling plate tectonics of the white mountain are fascinating to examine. Normally, the younger layers of sediment is on top of the older layers, just as you say. I thought provence was quite tame with rolling hills and sunny vineyards until i saw your pictures.
This mountain is stunning! Especially with the sun shining on it. I can see why Cezanne was so captivated by it, and was inspired to paint it so many times! Fancy there having been dinosaur eggs at it's base. I find all this so interesting!
The last picture you've taken here Michel is just magnificent.
RYC: Thanks for your very kind comment on my aunt's passing.
Merci beaucoups Michel. La montagne est tres belle.
what a hunk of stone no wonder he painted it so many times nature is moody & the white stone reflects the overhead in her deep surfaces i would imagine so nice thanks Michel
Varied landscape. I like the music you have on, Michel. Very nice and comforting. - Rachel
RYC: Laura is my son's wife--my son is in the Army, stationed at Fort Polk, Louisiana--and hoping not to get deployed to Iraq.
Are you back on Xanga now? I missed you!!! I was in the Mountains recently too,yours are lovely!!
I think I would also like to paint...if I were talented enough to do so. One must experience such a view and it needs to be experienced with every sense...smell, the feel of the air and the beauty that could never be captured even by the most talented of painters. When we see such beauty , we have a need I think to share it somehow.
Your background music is lovely!
votre amie,
Francoise.
oh how lovely and beautiful! yes, i see why cezanne continued to paint them! gorgeous!
angela
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How awe inspiring. Such beauty refreshes the soul.
As ever,
Carol Suzanne
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I too withmy family have spent many happy times camping all over Provence> Maybe I have seen Mount St. Victoria bur didn't really know what I was looking at. Many thanks for your Blog which I find superb Ron
beautiful!
you are a mountain man like me. i also feel the energy of the rocks and trees and enjoy being in their presence. namaste
I love France and here is one more place that I would love to see there, how amazing.
I was very saddened to hear of Janine and your families loss, please accept my sympathy and know you are in my prayers. Much love to you all.
une tres belle montaine. Il fais moi pense de Dieu. agnificant!
We have another kind of slug now too never saw before. About twelve inches long with a huge mouth. But the rock salt is keeping them out of my cat food and put it around my herb pots. I will put beer out too if they continue. Judi
Merci beaucoup pour ton chaleureux commentaire sur mon blog, Michel!
Que hermoso.
Magnificent! I will try and describe them to Mildred, my geoligest friend. When she was teaching she took her students all over the mountanious region in southern Oklahoma. I wish you could know her !! Thanks for writing about your Mountains. God Bless.
Tres magnifique!!!!
Welcome back Michel...I missed you.
Your photos are magnificent and the melodic, complimenting music sets the stage to awe. Beautiful, beautiful, beautiful!!! Hope you are rested and am looking forward to more of your wonderful entries. Bless you in Christ's peace.
GraceAnn
I am well, thanks for asking. My computer caught a virus and I've been without for over a week. A wonderful friend was able to fix it and now it's better than new. I'm sorry to hear of your father-in-law's passing. As I get older I appreciate the stories and experiences of the older generation. Your pictures are beautiful, as always. I think you did manage to capture at least a small portion of the feelings one gets in the presence of God's creation.
Wow! These ancient hills are lovely. The stone reminds me of the cliffs of Dover. Though I love the work of Cezanne, perhaps his struggle to paint these mountains is because of his style: impressionism. There are few human "impressions" that can accurately capture the magnificent handiwork of God... no wonder he was not satisfied! Thank you for sharing these with us.
Beautiful landscapes!!!
Wondrous scenery, I would feel quite at home there. Thanks Michel
That is absolutely magnificent!! Your pictures captured the strength of the mountains just wonderfully!!
Blessings!
Marguerite
Wow! Nice picture's...I love the mountain's. Thank you for the post card it make my day's much brighter and happier. I have always wanted an old rustic cabin in the wood's which is fine but I know I would also have to have a view of the mountains as well. I was born and raised with tall mountains, they were my play ground as a child. I know that's why my heart cab find peace when I am around any mountain's.
Shirley
Beautiful pictures Michel! I can almost smell the lavender (which is my favorite!) and imagine how they all gently sway with the breeze against the beautiful back drop...no wonder that area is so famous. It seems that everyone who sees it feels the need to capture it in some way...to capture the feeling. Your pictures, Michel, make me wish to be there!
God has made so many beautiful things for us to see. It is a shame that many do not take the time to really look at the gifts He has placed before us. The majesty of the mountains from our point of view makes one look up in awe at how very small we really are compared to the great big world! I get that feeling when visiting the ocean. To look out and see how vast the water is along with the loud roar the waves make when crashing along the shore...I feel like the little grandule of sand.
When you went to Canada, did you go to Niagara Falls? That is one place that you have to see, feel and hear all at the same time. One can try and capture it on film or by painting but you have to experience the enormity of the falls, feel the mist of the water hitting your face and hear the roar the falls make - it is breathtaking! Again, there you feel so tiny and small compared to it all and I can't help but be in awe at the beauty God surrounds us with!
Ah Michel! You have done it again! Any time you post I think of things I had not thought of before and/or thought of in a very long time. :O)
xoxoxo Cat
I love the pictures of that beautiful mountain. I have always loved mountains, it is where I am the happiest. I spent so much of my growing up years climbing mountains. Just wish that I had the energy to still cllimb one every day, as I used to.
I do not have the time to check out the paintings right now, but I will be back, as I will enjoy looking at them. Thanks for another great and interesting blog.
Love
Edie Rose
Stunning pictures - just beautiful. I loved seeing the lavender growing - I use lavender in many of my soaps and other products!
Thanks for sharing your pictures - I always enjoy seeing things through your eyes, Michel!
Love, Aimee
I did come back and go to your link. I found it quite interesting to read about Zola and the book he wrote after Cezanne had a romance with a maidservant. I also enjoyed looking at the paintings.
Have a nice week Michel!!!
Love
Edie Rose
Bonjour Michel,
Okay, that is only the little bit of Francais I know.
It is always nice to come and listen to a little bit of Beethoven while I read.
This mountain is very beautiful.
what a lovely adventure you had. I love lavender.
i hope you and Janine and the family are all well.
Love, Rosemary
Sorry I have not been visiting or blogging. I have been busy.
It is always refreshing to come and read your bloggie and see what is new.
Enjoy this day
Wow, what lovely pictures. I especially like the 2nd one.
Thanks for messages on my site have updated today. Hope you are well Take care Love marjie
ryq: I not only overslept my Dr. Appt. (the alarm didn't go off), but I don't drive and I would've had to walk to the Dr. appt. because my friend had to take her dog to the vet and wasn't able to take me to the doctor after all.
I suffered an awful bout with Sciatica and it ended up damaging nerves in my leg and foot. I can't feel some of my toes, part of the bottom of my left foot is now numb as well as part of my calf and thigh. I have another appt. on Aug 10 to see what, if anything can be done about it.
BTW< I just put up a new post as you were commenting on my last one.
Take care and have a lovely friday and weekend, too!
Michel, I wish you the best of luck today with the rehearsal.
and a choir at a wedding? How wonderful. I know it will be lovely.
a wedding in our family? I do hope soon. I am old fashioned and now so very happy about Christina and Jason living together but we do love them very much. Jason is a very very good boy!
They are sooo young, only 22.
Happy week-end to you
What a wonderful mountain. To see that close up would be wonderful. Maybe one day.
RYC: I sell my soaps and bath products on my site - http://www.heartstringshomemade.com
Thanks for stopping by my site! I hope you have a wonderful day, Michel....
Thanks for letting me know about the line thing it does not look that way in either of my browsers. Judi
I have read about your sad loss, and remember when you wrote about the family gathering you all enjoyed earlier. my condolences to you and your family.
Dear Michel, how lovely, and the music I love! It almost looks like snow...I have seen those mountain paintings of Cezanne, and yes, I do believe it is possible to paint a feeling...the movement and the colors would interpret that..nature evokes many feelings, as you always express so vividly....
I am getting over my cough, little at the time...no, I didn't go back to the doctor *grin*...hopefully, this weekend, I can rest up and feel better for the coming work week...I've been talking way too much lately! Luv you and hope you are well??? Your Texas friend, Lowie
ryc: This is a revised version of the same book. More formatting and so on, needed to be done!!
Wow,you're back! I missed your entries. What a magnificent view, thanks sir, for sharing.
Have a nice weekend!!!
Annika
Cezanne is so amazing. And you resemble him!
Merci Michel!!
Wish some one could tell me why the lines get too long some times on Xanga. Judi
wonderful pics!
sometimes, i think that french people are better than americans. you have a beautiful culture, beautiful people who are very nice and friendly, and you have beautiful nature in france! thank you for sharing the beautiful pictures of moutain st victoire!
I just noticed we both posted photos of our mountains! My mountain would look like yours if it had rock going on the top.
The doctor said the beta blocker is to protect my organs from another blood pressure medicine I'm taking. I hope it works.
Michel, thanks much for checking in on me. I have more than once thought to get to the site and post something, but it just hasn't happened. I do usually read the posts of others that I am subscribed to, but some days haven't had time even for that. Here's hoping I can do better in upcoming days. I hope you and Janine are doing well.
Dorrice
This mountain is so beautiful Michel. I love Mt. Hood here it is magical as far as I am concerned. Judi
What a beautiful site to be able to see. Just looking at the photos makes me feel the calm. I can only imagine what standing there looking at it can do to ones soul.
Fantastic mountain. It is awesome. Thank you for all your kind words
your description is perfect! I can smell the air!
thank you
Magnifique ode à la magie de la Montagne Ste Victoire cher Michel et et tu dis si bien au sujet de Cézanne : "Peut–on être satisfait de peindre un sentiment ?"
Lorsque nous habitions Marseille avec nos garçons, nous avons gravi quelques fois cette montagne mythique. Et toujours avec grande joie !
Je me souviens aussi d'avoir lu à cette époque un ouvrage magnifique de Jacqueline de Romilly titré "Sur les chemins de Ste Victoire"
Une merveille que je relirai volontiers un jour tant il contient de trésors !
Amitiés de AM et J. rentrés (volontiers après six semaines de très belles vacances
au bercail de HK ce samedi 
Ça fait quelques semaines depuis je t'ai visité...I am sorry! je ne sais pas comment on dit "I offer my condolences to you and your family on the loss of Louis." C'est dûr et triste. Pour moi, les montagnes et forêts sont plus puissant que la mer. Quelque jour je vais visiter encore Bretagne, la Normandie et bien sur la Provence.
Simonville is still there and your house is the biggest one and keeps the all city alive,
Ryc: St. Ex,shortly before his dead, was based in Sardinia, perhaps some of his spirit stayed there,
He died the same time year of my birth, well, more or less. He disappeared in the air. I like to think he flew in his little planet, but this all fantasy, of course,
Bonjour! How are you and Janine? I hope you are both well! Think of you guys a lot. Been reading up on the Percherons of France. Every time I see a French castle I think, Michel has probably been there!!
Things here a good, work has been busy. I hope to update more regularly on my blog now. Take care!
P.S. Love the mountains - they do look very magical!
La Montagne Sainte Victoire est la montagne de la religion
Love
Terri Anne
Hey Michel
Thank you for stopping by my site. The pictures of the mountains are beautiful.
Hi Michel! Hope you had a good weekend, luv, Lowie
i look forward to the day you publish your book on your travels, michel
i will buy a copy!!
m
I am sorry to hear about your father in law Michel. I hope Janine is doing alright.
We made it to Paris and back and even drove by Beauvais!!!! I thought of you and how much you'd be enjoying beautiful Provence! We were driving to Le Mt St Michel...and well Beauvais was on the way. I glanced at a beautiful church and the landscape. We enoyed Paris and the compiegne very much and can't wait to go back. Love, G.
C'est magnifique. J'aime bien la montagne mais je prefere la mer quand meme, en fin bref, je me suis installee en Beaujolais finalement, tranquille!
Bisous,
Anthea.
You paint pictures with your words. You convey feelings with your stories. What wonderful subjects to think about. Thank you for visiting you are a true Xanga friend.
Take care,
Karolyn
i love that you've added music to your blog now also!! you're too cool, michel!!! j'étais excited que j'aie compris tout votre français ! ok, be well!! i'm sooo happy that we're back in london! despite the fact that i have a cold, i don't mind since i'm back with my birds and back where i can do a real blog!
angela
Michel, my feelings go to you and Janine in the loss of her father. He did live a good, long life it seems. We all hope for the same, eh?
Tour de France...yes, "completement fou," or as a friend of mine who is an AFP correspondent used to say, "cwazy, compwetewy cwazy." (he had some trouble with English language pronunciations, and it was endearingly amusing. -- and certainly English speakers must make Frenchmen laugh all the time with our pronunciations in French!) Still, seeing the spectacle that is the Tour, the beautiful countryside -- as in your photos of Ste. Victoire -- the live coverage -- and, hopefully, "clean" winners, in the end....I will be back in my chair to watch again next year and the year after...
Hi Michel!
How are you doing? Don't worry about me...I'm really quite the happy person.
Guess what? I'm going backpacking through Europe next summer, and we are making a stop in Paris!
Beautiful and stunning! I can see why Cezanne would not be satisfied with his paintings - I think most artists are that way anyway. I live a 30 minute drive from Lake Tahoe - It always brings me peace when I go there.
Awe inspiring, indeed. How it brings glory to jehovah it's creator.
You are very poetic describing your feelings in seeing this mountain. It made me feel as if I was also there. It's beautiful! I can see why Cezanne painted it, but I didn't know he had painted it so many times. It's easy to see why! Thank you for sharing the experience with us.
Those are very beautiful pictures. There really is something very moving about mountains, isn't there? Many people are very drawn to them.
We are leaving for Alaska on Thursday and I will be seeing mountains coming right down to the sea.
Ceux-ci sont stupéfiants.
Reading your Blog is an education in itself. I love your description of Provence! Something very poetic about it. Again I wish I had learned French properly as I believe France has a cultural tradition second to none!
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