Although we had visited Essoyes previously, and seen Pierre-August Renoir's atelier (studio), we decided to go again as it is such a beautiful village in the middle of the southern Champagne region.
We had tried to book a week's accommodation here but there were no apartments available; only an hotel and a chambre des hotes (B & B). There's a business opportunity for you, Paul!
We had tried to book a week's accommodation here but there were no apartments available; only an hotel and a chambre des hotes (B & B). There's a business opportunity for you, Paul!
The village of Essoyes is on the Ouche river, and is very pretty.
Renoir lived here in his later years, from 1901 onwards.
This is the house where his favourite model, Gabrielle lived. That's her in the painting with Renoir's son, Jean.
This is the studio Renoir built in the bottom of his garden.
There are no art works in the studio, only photographs. Obviously, his works are all in private or public collections around the world.
This is a photograph of a sculpture of his wife.
This is a photograph of a portrait of Julie Manet, daughter of painter Paul Manet.
Renior always looked old. In this picture he was in his sixties and in the one below, in his fifties.
This is the inside of his atelier (studio). The wooden floor is strewn with paint. The light is fabulous.
And this is the new Renior centre, owned by the city but created with private money, including Renior family money. One of his son's was a movie director, one a writer and a granddaughter is an actress. It is reasonably hi-tech and I was so intrigued by the audio-visuals I forgot to take any photos inside! Well worth the visit.
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