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Aix-en-Provence

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City
—°101922
Aix-en-Provence (France)
ℹ️

Practical info — Aix-en-Provence

🌤 Weather — 5 days

📍 Nearby

Sights nearby

💡 Tips

  • Stroll down Cours Mirabeau early in the morning or late afternoon to enjoy the shade of the plane trees.
  • The city is famous for its many fountains, but only drink the water if it is clearly marked "eau potable".
  • Paul Cézanne's studio is quite small, so booking your tickets well in advance is highly recommended.
  • Parking in the historic center is notoriously difficult; opt for the park-and-ride facilities on the outskirts.
  • Don't miss the local markets on Place Richelme and Place des Prêcheurs for fresh produce and flowers.

🍽 Food

🍽
Calisson d'Aix

Try this traditional almond and candied melon treat at a confectionery in the old town.

🍽
Provençal rosé wine

Enjoy a crisp, cold glass on a lively terrace along Cours Mirabeau.

🍽
Tapenade and olives

Pick up some fresh olive spreads at the morning farmers' market.

🛍 Shopping · 🧘 Quiet spots

🛍
Lavender and Savon de Marseille

Find authentic artisanal goods in the narrow streets of the historic center.

🛍
Provençal fabrics

Explore the boutiques around the town hall for colorful, traditional linens.

🧘
Pavillon de Vendôme

A beautiful historic garden offering a peaceful retreat from the busy streets.

🧘
Terrain des Peintres

Take a walk up to this spot for the very view of Montagne Sainte-Victoire that Cézanne painted.

Highlights of 2026

10

Aix-en-Provence, the historical capital of Provence, is renowned for its elegance, its numerous fountains, and its rich cultural heritage. The city was founded in 122 BC by the Roman consul Sextius Calvinus under the name Aquae Sextiae, attracted by the local thermal springs. The heart of the city is the magnificent Cours Mirabeau, a wide boulevard lined with plane trees and bordered by grand aristocratic mansions from the 17th and 18th centuries. Aix is inextricably linked to the painter Paul Cézanne, who was born here and whose studio can still be visited today. The surrounding landscape, especially the Montagne Sainte-Victoire, served as a constant motif for Cézanne's impressionist masterpieces. As a significant university town, Aix hosts one of the oldest universities in France, giving the city a bustling and academic atmosphere. Every year, it hosts the prestigious Festival d'Aix-en-Provence, one of the world's most important opera and music festivals. The city's gastronomy is famous for Calissons, a sweet specialty made from almonds and candied melons.

Best time to visit & climate

The most pleasant time to visit is Jun, Aug, Sep.

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Avg °C56912172225242015106
Rain mm483840474729132150759454

Live webcam – Aix-en-Provence

See what it looks like near Aix-en-Provence right now.

Aix-en-Provence: Environs d · 1.9 km · Open webcam on Windy · Webcams provided by Windy.com

Geography

Population
146,821
Coordinates
43.52970, 5.44740

Facts

  • Founded in 122 BC near thermal spring sources
  • The city features over 100 public fountains
  • Cours Mirabeau was created in 1649 on former city walls
  • Birthplace of Paul Cézanne (1839-1906)
  • The University of Aix dates back to 1409
  • Home to the Granet Museum, founded in 1838

Explore nearby

Notable places around

Route planner — Car & Motorhome

Where do you start? We build the route here, with stops and country notes along the way.

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© OpenStreetMap contributors · OpenRouteService

Sights in the town Aix-en-Provence (19)

Cours Mirabeau🏺 historical

An elegant tree-lined boulevard famous for its historic fountains, grand mansions, and lively open-air cafes.

Cathédrale Saint-Sauveur⛪ religious

A unique architectural complex that blends Romanesque, Gothic, and Baroque styles, featuring a medieval cloister.

Musée Granet🏛 museum

A major art museum housing an exceptional collection of paintings from the Renaissance to modern masters.

Atelier de Cézanne🎭 culture

The historic studio of Paul Cézanne, where the father of modern painting worked on his final famous canvases.

Fontaine de la Rotonde🏙 civic

A monumental fountain standing at the city's gateway, adorned with statues representing Justice, Agriculture, and Art.

Place de l'Hôtel de Ville🏙 civic

A photogenic square dominated by the 17th-century town hall and its elegant clock tower with an astronomical dial.

Pavillon de Vendôme🏛 museum

A magnificent 17th-century pavilion and garden showcasing the refined lifestyle of the Provençal aristocracy.

Église Saint-Jean-de-Malte⛪ religious

The first Gothic church in Provence, serving as the burial site for the Counts of Provence and holding fine art.

Hôtel de Caumont🎭 culture

A magnificent 18th-century private mansion that now serves as a major art center hosting prestigious temporary exhibitions.

Fondation Vasarely🏛 museum

An architecturally unique center dedicated to the works of Victor Vasarely, featuring 42 monumental kinetic art installations.

Terrain des Peintres🌿 nature

A terraced park where Paul Cézanne frequently set up his easel to paint the iconic Montagne Sainte-Victoire landscape.

Bastide du Jas de Bouffan🏺 historical

The former country estate of the Cézanne family, where the painter lived and produced many of his early masterpieces.

Grand Théâtre de Provence🎭 culture

A state-of-the-art opera and concert house with 1,370 seats, known for its exceptional acoustics and contemporary design.

Thermes Sextius🏺 historical

A modern spa complex built over the remains of original Roman thermal baths, offering wellness in the historic city center.

Cloître Saint-Sauveur⛪ religious

A beautifully preserved 12th-century Romanesque cloister featuring finely carved capitals next to the Saint-Sauveur Cathedral.

Piscine Parc Voltina👨‍👩‍👧 family

Piscine Parc Voltina is a swimming pool in Aix En Provence. Visitors can enjoy a refreshing swim here.

Radisson Hôtel👨‍👩‍👧 family

Radisson Hôtel is a swimming pool in Aix En Provence. Visitors can enjoy a refreshing swim here.

Piscine👨‍👩‍👧 family

Piscine is a swimming pool in Aix En Provence. Visitors can enjoy a refreshing swim here.

Bastide Bel-Air🏰 castle

A historic 18th-century country house located near Aix-en-Provence.

Frequently asked questions

How to get from Marseille to Aix-en-Provence?
The L050 shuttle bus departs every 15 minutes from Saint-Charles station, with a travel time of about 30-40 minutes.
What is the most famous local specialty?
Calissons d'Aix are diamond-shaped sweets made from almonds and candied melons with a layer of royal icing.
Can you visit Paul Cézanne's studio?
Yes, the Atelier de Cézanne on Chemin des Lauves is open to visitors and displays the painter's original work tools.
Why is Aix-en-Provence called the city of a thousand fountains?
The city has hundreds of public and private fountains, including the famous Fontaine de la Rotonde built in 1860.
When does the Provençal market take place?
Large markets take place on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays in the squares around the town hall and Cours Mirabeau.
Aix-en-Provence: where is it located?
Aix-en-Provence is located in Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur, France.
Aix-en-Provence: what is there to see?
Highlights include Cours Mirabeau, Cathédrale Saint-Sauveur, Musée Granet.
Aix-en-Provence: when is the best time to visit?
The most pleasant time to visit is Jun, Aug, Sep.
Aix-en-Provence: why is it worth visiting?
Aix-en-Provence, the historical capital of Provence, is renowned for its elegance, its numerous fountains, and its rich cultural heritage.
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