From Marseille to Arles: an art trail through Provence

We moved from London to Marseille a little over five years ago, and that first winter on the beach — in short sleeves, as our daughters played in the topaz-coloured Mediterranean and the sun set across an ever-clear blue sky — made clear why this part of southern France has long attracted artists.

On the terrace of Café la Muse I spoke with the painter Fanny Nushka and her sailor husband, Benoît Bouchet; she said: "It took a long time to go back to blue. It’s like being in Paris and painting the Eiffel Tower. It’s dangerous to paint the Calanques [limestone coves] as an artist from here." Their life in Marseille is possible because the city is affordable: Fanny paints full-time and Benoît runs daily catered cruises on the listed sailing yacht Le Don du Vent, which for €135 includes swimming, snorkelling, sunbathing and a lunch prepared onboard.

France, Marseille, Arles, Provence

provence, marseille, arles, calanques, mediterranean, fanny nushka, benoît bouchet, sailing yacht, catered cruises, painting