History

An Historical century

In 1908, Renoir settles in the Collettes, a wonderful domain. Seduced by the climate, he enjoyed painting outside, reproducing on his canvas the bright colours of the olive trees, fruits and flowers of the region as well as the voluptuous bodies of the young Cagnoises that lived here. Also, it is in Cagnes that he started sculpting for the first time .
The happiness that comes out of Renoir paintings is due to the exaltation and felicity that the painter kept until his last day despite the weakness that overcame his body, when he became very ill.
The Renoir Museum reproduces the exact environment that the painter knew, displaying some of his canvas, furniture, and familiar objects.




The Collettes Estate Garden




Renoir had come to the Côte d'Azur  to seek "his" light, and it was in the Domaine des Collettes that he found it. That peculiar brilliance that makes the ancient olive trees sparkle is still illuminating his paintings all over the world. Take a walk in the Domaine des Collettes garden and you will understand why Renoir chose to settle there, in the middle of an olive grove facing a stunning view of the medieval village of Haut-de-Cagnes, the sea and the surrounding hills. this garden has just been labeled " Refuge LPO" thanks to its 36 species of birds.
This garden is also the location for outdoor events such as "Un soir chez Renoir", "Histoires de dire" or the "Déjeuner sur l'herbe". So many opportunities to fall in love with this place!

 

Under the light of the Master
Cagnes-sur-Mer is illuminated by Renoir and visitors from all around the world are fascinated by it.  2013  has been important for Cagnes sur Mer , as the filmmaker Gilles Bourdois dedicated one of his movies to the story of the painter in the Domaine des Collettes.