There is perhaps no stretch of coastline more intimately associated with the history of modern art than the French Riviera.
Its extraordinary quality of light — luminous, intense, seemingly inexhaustible — acted as a magnet for generation after generation of artists, each finding in this sun-drenched landscape something that simply could not be discovered anywhere else. One of the highlights of our Neighbourhood Learning Summer School 2026, this richly illustrated talk sees art historian Jan Cox trace the remarkable story of the Côte d'Azur through the eyes of the painters it seduced and inspired.
The story begins in the 1870s, when the Riviera was still a largely undeveloped region of fishing villages and shimmering bays, where Monet and Cézanne were among the first to recognise the thrilling challenge of its extraordinary southern light. Then came the Post-Impressionists: Signac discovered the fishing port of St. Tropez and invited fellow artist Cross to join him, the two refining their distinctive Pointillist technique — building shimmering canvases from thousands of tiny dots of pure colour that practically vibrate with heat and light.
Matisse soon settled in Nice, the Mediterranean sun pouring into canvas after canvas of breathtaking colour and sensuous joy. At Antibes, Picasso moved in glamorous circles that included the American expatriates Gerald and Sara Murphy — close friends of F. Scott Fitzgerald, whose Tender is the Night immortalised the glittering world of the Côte d'Azur. Bonnard and Dufy each captured the spirit of the region in their own distinctive way — the former in colours of almost hallucinatory richness, the latter with irrepressible joy and energy.
We conclude with Matisse's Chapel of the Rosary at Vence — designed and decorated by the artist in his eighties, working from a wheelchair, and described by Matisse himself as his masterpiece. A luminous, transcendent space, it is a fitting finale to a story of art and light without equal.
Our home for the day will be the wonderful Holbrook Manor, a graceful Georgian house set in the peaceful Somerset countryside near Wincanton. Effortlessly combining heritage, comfort, and tranquillity, you’ll immediately feel at home. With a 2-course lunch included and refreshments at breaktimes prepared using fresh, locally sourced ingredients, we’ve certainly got your appetite for both delicious food and learning covered!
Book your place…
For a full course description, including details on the tutor, venue, accommodation (where applicable) and more, visit our full listings page by clicking here.
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Dr Jan D. Cox received a first-class honours degree from Oxford Brookes University, where he was awarded the Jeanne Sheehy Memorial Prize. An MA from Bristol was followed by a PhD at Leeds investigating the impact of Nordic art in Europe in the 1880s. He has delivered conference papers in Britain, Scandinavia, Ireland, Italy, The Netherlands, Germany and Canada.
Click here to find out more about Jan Cox and his other available courses
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Nestled in the Somerset countryside near Wincanton, Holbrook Manor is a charming Georgian house offering comfort, calm, and character — ideal for residential courses and retreats. With elegant rooms, home-cooked meals, and access to the indoor pool, spa bath, sauna, and steam room, it’s the perfect place to learn, relax, and recharge.
The venue has plenty of free parking, accessible course rooms and some accessible bedrooms. There are also a few bedrooms which are dog friendly.
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Please note: The following timings are just for guidance. Confirmed timings will be released to students nearer the course start date.
We will usually begin from 10:00 before a short mid-morning break at 11:00. We’ll then run until lunch at 13:00 before resuming until 16:30.
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A pen and paper might be handy if you wish to make notes and an open mind!
Our Summer School 2026 is here!
Enjoying the look of this course? This is just one of a wonderful array of talks, workshops and lectures taking place throughout the Neighbourhood Learning Summer School 2026. From art history and architecture to craft and culture, there's something to fascinate and inspire at every turn — and if you really want to immerse yourself, why not join us as a resident for the entire Summer School? Visit our dedicated Summer School page to explore everything that's on offer and find out how to make the most of this very special summer.
