Aix-en-Provence City Guide
Aix-en-Provence is a charming university city, and was the capital of Provence between the 12th and 18th century. Wander along
Cours Mirabeau in the heart of the city to people watch from cafés and restaurants, or explore the ancient streets of the
old town area with its relaxing fountained squares.
Aix-en-Provence is 3 hours from Paris by train.
What to do and see in and around Aix-en-Provence
Cours Mirabeau
Cours Mirabeau runs between the old town to the North and the Mazarin Quarter to the South. Trees line the wide street providing shelter for the pavement cafés one one side of the street. Elegant 17th and 18th century mansions houses run along the other side of the street.
Old Town
The Old Town area is to the North of Cours Mirabeau, and includes a maze of medieval streets leading to fontained squares. The Museum of Old Aix includes a history of the city. Saint Saveur Cathedral was built between the 5th and 18th centuries, and next to the Cathedral is the Archbishop's Palace including the Tapestry Museum which includes a collection from the 17th century to the present day.
Mazarin Quarter
The Mazarin Quarter dates back to the 17th century and was designed as a "luxury housing estate" for members of parliament and the city's nobility. The streets are designed in a spacious grid pattern around the main streets Rue Cardinale and Rue du 4 Septembre. The Arbaud Museum houses a collection of locally created earthenware and paintings.
Fountains
Aix-en-Provence is famous for over 40 fountains scattered throughout the city. The oldest fountain dates back to the 16th century, but the most impressive is the Rotunda fountain built in the 1860s at the end of Cours Mirabeau.
Granet Museum
The Granet Museum covers art and archeology. The painting collection include 17th-19th century works, and several by Cézanne. The museums also includes a collection of finds from the Oppidum d'Entremont - a Celtic-Ligurian town north of Aix, and Roman remains found in Aix itself.
Thermal Baths
Since the Roman occupation of the city Aix-en-Provence's thermal waters are believed to help the body's circulation. A modern spa has been built on the site of the Roman thermae in the Old Town area.
Atelier Cézanne
Cézanne's house and studio is north of the city centre and has been restored to exactly as it was at the time of his death in 1906. None of Cézanne's paintings remain in the house, but you can see still life objects that were the subjects of some his paintings, and his letters and drawings. A bus runs from Rotunda fountain in the city centre to the house every 20 minutes.
Marseille
45 minutes from Aix-en-Provence by train
Marseille is the second biggest city in France and one of the oldest cities - founded in the 6th century. Marseille is a bustling and vibrant city. Wander around the Vieux Port area for fantastic seafood restaurants, visit the museums, or hike up the steep hill to Basilique Notre-Dame-de-la-Garde and admire the stunning views of the city.
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