RENOIR IN ESSOYES
Discover the special attachment of Renoir, the master of Impressionism, to Essoyes, a picturesque village on the Côte des Bar in Champagne !
Nothing predestined Renoir to one day settle in Aube. So, what led one of France’s most renowned painters to form such a strong attachment to a small village in the Champagne region ?
It all began when his gaze met that of a young woman from Essoyes, Aline Charigot. Let’s take a look back at this providential encounter.
THE MEETING OF RENOIR AND ALINE
Pierre-Auguste Renoir met Aline Charigot in Paris in 1880. Captivated by her natural beauty, the painter quickly invited her to become his model.
Aline graced many of his works, including some of his most iconic paintings : she is the woman holding a small dog in The Luncheon at the boating party and the dancer in Dance in the Country, now exhibited at the Musée d’Orsay.
What began as a friendship soon blossomed into a romance, uniting the celebrated artist with the young provincial woman, 18 years his junior.
WHEN RENOIR “CAME TO FARM IN CHAMPAGNE”
In 1888, Aline convinced Renoir to visit her hometown of Essoyes for the first time. The small village in the Aube region immediately captivated him.
Renoir discovered a landscape of rolling vineyards bathed in extraordinary light, a serene simplicity, and a peaceful rhythm of life. It was an ideal setting to set up his easel and immerse himself in painting en plein air.
The tranquil countryside became his refuge, drawing him back to the Champagne region year after year to rejuvenate, far removed from the bustle of Parisian life.
RENOIR’S FIRST PROPERTY AND LAST RESIDENCE IN ESSOYES
Renoir’s deep connection to Essoyes became tangible in 1896 when he purchased a family home, marking his first experience as a homeowner at the age of 55. This house became the setting for his sons Pierre and Jean’s childhoods, and the birthplace of his youngest child, Claude, in 1901.
At the bottom of the garden, Renoir built his studio, where he continued to create many of his masterpieces. The family’s enduring affection for Essoyes is immortalized in the village cemetery, which houses the graves of Renoir and his family, as per their wishes.
Today, visitors can take a tour of the village to explore the life of the master Impressionist and the legacy of this remarkable family of artists.
