The manor house was built circa 1750 for Gaspard Truphème, an Advisor to the Court of Audits.[2][3] He hired architect Georges Vallon,[2] who designed many other historic buildings in the centre of Aix. The bastide is surrounded by a private garden with ponds, fountains and sculptures.[3] It was inherited by Gaspard's son, Pierre, followed by his grandson, Joseph, whose daughter Gabrielle passed it to her son, Gabriel Joursin in 1854.[2]
The bastide was purchased by banker Louis-Auguste Cézanne, the father of famed painter Paul Cézanne, in 1859.[1] In 1880, Paul Cézanne established an atelier in the attic.[1] He also painted the walls of the living-room.[1] Additionally, he often painted in the garden, looking out to the Montagne Sainte-Victoire from different vantage points.[1] After his father's death, he lived in the bastide with his mother.[2]
The bastide was acquired by Louis Granel, an engineer, in 1899.[2] His daughter married Frédéric Corsy, an anatomist.[2] His son, André Corsy, lived there with his wife, Nina Wakhévitch, and their adopted children until his death in 2002.[2]
The house now belongs to the city of Aix-en-Provence. Since 2006, it may be visited by tourists, by appointment only.[1][4]
