As he prepares for retirement, Bruno Ely, a leading heritage curator and director of the Granet Museum, was presented with the city medal of Aix-en-Provence by Mayor Sophie Joissains.
The ceremony, held in the ornate State Hall of the city hall, drew a large crowd—the biggest the space has seen in quite some time. The recognition comes just days before Ely’s planned retirement on March 14, 2026, after 45 years dedicated to the development and modernization of Aix’s museums.
A Legacy of Cultural Stewardship
Ely shared with reporters in September 2025, following the dismantling of the “Cézanne at Jas de Bouffan” exhibition at the Granet Museum (which attracted over 350,000 visitors), that he would be stepping down from his professional activities on his 70th birthday. He anticipates turning the page on a significant chapter and beginning a new one. Like Cézanne, who once wrote to Henri Gasquet “ (…) in us has not fallen asleep forever the vibration of sensations reverberated from this good sun of Provence,” Ely feels the experiences and inspirations gained within the walls of the Pavillon Vendôme, the Museum of Tapestries and the Palais de Malte will continue to enrich his life.
Ely was joined by his family—his wife Valérie, and children Marie and Paul—at the ceremony. His children fondly remembered their father and shared humorous anecdotes before joining him onstage, holding his hands as they often did when he spoke publicly about art. The family has supported Ely throughout his career, which began in 1981 as assistant curator at the Granet Museum, followed by a leadership role at the Museum of Tapestries and the Pavillon de Vendôme eight years later.
A Vision for Aix
In 2008, Ely was appointed director of the Granet Museum, overseeing its modernization, including the creation of a conservation and study center, a restoration policy for the collections, and the launch of Granet XXe in the renovated former Palais des congrès (originally the 17th-century chapel of the White Penitents) where the Jean Planque collection was exhibited until recently. Throughout his 45-year career, the curator has organized over 150 exhibitions, spanning antiquity to contemporary creators. He is particularly known for his passion for Cézanne, a connection he fostered creatively and intelligently with Denis Coutagne, whom he succeeded as director of the Granet Museum, now one of France’s leading cultural institutions.
With municipal elections underway, Marie-Pierre Sicard-Desnuelle, the city’s cultural affairs representative, and Mayor Sophie Joissains focused their remarks on the positive impact of the “Cézanne 2025” year, to which Ely significantly contributed. They highlighted his professional qualities and his dedication to the city of Aix-en-Provence, where he chose to build his career.
Cézanne’s Enduring Influence
As Ely embarks on this new chapter, he plans to promote the photographic archive of the Ely Studio, which documents four generations of his family in Aix-en-Provence. He will also continue his perform on Paul Cézanne, including the artist’s catalogue raisonné. The Bastide du Jas de Bouffan, Cézanne’s former home, still holds many undiscovered secrets. Readers interested in learning more are encouraged to explore Ely’s latest book, “Cezanne between four walls – the grand salon of Jas de Bouffan from 1859 to 1899,” a modern and insightful work that blends anecdotes and information to deepen understanding of the painter and daily life in the late 19th century. This ability to share knowledge in an accessible way is one of Ely’s greatest talents. Concluding his remarks, Ely expressed his faith in the power of culture and its unifying role in a chaotic world.
Michel EGEA
