Christmas 1940: Cezanne's descendants find refuge in Laudun and hide the master's paintings there

À l’époque, les tableaux de Cezanne furent cachés dans une fosse creusée dans le jardin de la maison d’Albert André. Midi Libre – C.L.

They hide at Albert André's, who was the painting teacher of Paul Cezanne's grandson, major works by their illustrious ancestor. A baby Cezanne will be born in Bagnols… Here is the Christmas story written and offered by Elian Cellier, president of the association of friends of the painter Albert André, and a history buff.

In the early morning of December 24, 2024, freshly back from Aix-en-Provence to prepare a cultural visit in 2025, the history teacher and president of the association of friends of the painter Albert André, Elian Cellier, ardent defender of the history and heritage offered by the painter and his adopted daughter, was inspired to write this Christmas tale, in connection with these great names in the history of art… Here is the historical Christmas tale of Elian Cellier.

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Sheltering paintings by Renoir and Cezanne

“The story begins in June 1940. The “Phoney War” has been over for a month, the Germans who were waiting behind the Maginot Line have decided to attack France which will not resist for long despite the bravery of our soldiers. In mid-June, the German army enters Paris. Pierre, Jean and Claude, sons of Auguste Renoir, and Paul, son of Paul Cezanne, together take a vault in a bank near the Paris Opera to protect some of their fathers' paintings. We know the Nazis' desire to seize works of art. Jean-Pierre Cezanne, son of Paul junior, has just married Marjorie Koppenhague this June who is of Jewish origin. In addition to protecting the masterpieces, Marjorie must also be kept safe. We know how badly the Nazis think of the Jews.
The Renoir and Cezanne leave Paris. Their paths will separate. The Renoirs will leave for the United States and the Cezannes for the South of France, heading for the Gard where a friendly family awaits them. It is this brave Albert André, who was Jean-Pierre's painting teacher, who prepares with his family to welcome them in Laudun. In the luggage of the Cezanne family, a few paintings by the master to hide: Self-portrait with a palette; Montagne Sainte-Victoire and L’Estaque.

A haven of peace while war rages

The house of the painter in Laudun is the right place to hide the paintings. After several weeks of travel, the Cezanne family finds a haven of peace in the Gard Rhodanien. This Christmas tale would not be a Christmas tale if a child were not about to be born. Albert prepares his secular nativity scene [that is what he called it]! And Jacqueline her Christmas decorations from pine cones, acorns and plant elements collected at Caesar's camp in Laudun(*).
Marjorie and Jean-Pierre have been in the South of France for several weeks. They have settled on Boulevard Lacombe in Bagnols-sur-Cèze. They had married the previous June, Marjorie's belly has rounded out. And even if the news is not good on the war front, the little family is expecting a happy event. The child will not be born on Christmas Day, but at the beginning of January… We know that the official date of Christmas only became so in 354 AD to take advantage of a pagan festival popular at the time around the winter solstice.
Little Philippe Cezanne was born in Bagnols at the beginning of 1941 and this story of a refugee couple is very similar to that of Joseph and Mary.”
Back to the present, Elian Cellier concludes: “2025 will be a Cezanne Year in Aix-en-Provence… Perhaps we will see the paintings hidden in Laudun in the major upcoming exhibition?”

(*) Families in Laudun still have some of these natural Christmas decorations created by Jacqueline Bret-Andre.