Paul Borel

In 1855, he spent a year in Paris, studying with Joseph-Victor Ranvier [fr] and Irénée Richard (1821-1906) at the Académie Suisse.

To help assuage his grief, he accepted a large commission from the architect, Pierre Bossan, to create murals for the new chapel at the École Saint-Thomas.

During this time, he made the acquaintance of François-Auguste Ravier, who introduced him to landscape painting techniques.

Between 1880 and 1885, he took a break from his work to travel with his friends, the painter Joseph Trévoux [fr], and the photographer Félix Thiollier; visiting the Massif Central, Belgium, and the Netherlands.

He also taught occasionally; giving drawing lessons to the glass artist, Lucien Bégule, and the engraver, Marcel Roux.