Visit Aix en Provence

City of King René and Queen Jeanne, looking more like a village, Aix-en-Provence benefits from its rich past maintaining wonderfully its private mansions, lovely fountains and cobbled streets. You’ll find an amazing mix of art and tradition. Walk in the narrow streets and discover around every corner a small square, a fountain or a nice building full of secrets…

You will discover a lively, elegant and charming city where terraces liven up with the first ray of sunlight, giving Aix en Provence its very unique and special atmosphere.

Explore the city with a passionate guide 
Do not miss anything of its attractions, find out about its hidden scenery, prestigious past, architecture, monuments, visit the mansions and walk in the footsteps of Cézanne… This is what offer the tour guides accredited by the Ministry of Culture and Communication.

Fountains 
You’ll find many fountains in Aix-en-Provence. This city is well known for its thermal springs and baths since Roman antiquity.  As a matter of fact, Aix takes its name from the Latin word for water «Aquae».

Calisson
It is THE great specialty of Aix en Provence. During your stay, visit the largest factory of calissons or simply take the time to taste them.

The markets
There are many markets you will enjoy during your stay. Fruits and vegetables, old books, flowers, they will awaken your senses with their colors and flavors.

– Fruit and vegetable market: every day on Richelme square
– Local producers : Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays on Prêcheurs and Madeleine square
– Flower market : Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays at City Hall plaza and every other day on Prêcheurs square
– Flea market and antiques : Thursdays and Saturdays on Verdun square
– Clothing : Tuesdays and Thursdays on Cours Mirabeau and Saturdays nearby the courthouse

Cézanne’s workshop
Discover the house where the painter became who he was, exploring the garden and the family Bastide located in Jas de Bouffan neighborhood.

Granet Museum 
Among the most beautiful museums in France, it is located in the former palace of Malta and houses fourteenth to twentieth century collections.

Pavillon de Vendôme 
In this beautiful and peaceful place, the splendor and lifestyle of past centuries are reflected. It houses furniture, paintings, art objects from the late seventeenth century and early eighteenth, and portraits of personalities who used to live in this sumptuous house. Exhibitions are held regularly.

Musée des Tapisseries
The former Archbishop palace houses a rich collection of tapestries from the 17th and 18th centuries (Les grotesques, story of Don Quichotte, les jeux russiens), as well as contemporary works by Louis Cane, Pierre Buraglio, Vincent Bioulès… Exhibitions of contemporary art, photographs or art shows are regularly held.

Cathédrale Saint-Sauveur 
This Roman Catholic cathedral is located on the Gaston de Saporta street. This building, built on the site of the ancient antique forum and, according to the legend, on the foundations of an ancient temple dedicated to the god Apollo, gathers different architectural styles, due to the many changes it went throughout the centuries.

Church Saint-Jean de Malte 

Located at the corner of Rue d’Italie and Rue Cardinale, it’s the first Catholic Church in Provence. It was built where the first Hospitaliers chapel was erected when they arrived in Aix-en-Provence during the 12th century. Its inner light is quite amazing and surprising as are the color of the stones, its sobriety, its contemporary organ built by Daniel Kern and its many paintings.

Place des Augustins
The former monastery of Augustins, established rue de la Masse, gave his name instead. Formed during the 17th century by the roads from Marseille to Paris, it was one of the main entrances to the city with its end at Porte Royale or Porte des Augustins from which the kings made their entrance into the city.

Decorated with a fountain rebuilt in 1820, it was then topped with a granite column from the Gallo- Roman mausoleum of Palais Comtal .

Note: the 3 shorter barrels using the water flow coming from the city cold water and the fourth one receiving Beauvezet hot water in a cellar Rue Bédarrides.

On this beautiful square, with the friendliness of its terraces and the warm welcome of its merchants, you will immediately be invited to a refreshing and relaxing break.