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Aix-en-Provence

Bouches du Rhône department
Population : 142 534 people ( 2007 )

Aix en Provence is a city protected from the excitement which reigns in other conglomerations. It knew how to keep its quiet, its relaxed rhythm of life, it is a protected place. Protected by people who knew how to protect their city from the galloping urbanization and protected by the topography of places.

The climate is there particularly sweet : the mistral wind, so dreaded and redoubtable, reaches it very rarely, due to the defender barrier formed notably by the Luberon in the North, and its 300 days of sun a year, fire the imagination.

Specialities

The calisson from Aix en Provence
Already in the XVth century, the confectioners of Aix en Provence prepared this small sweetness. This calisson is made of almond and crystallized melon, which together gives a delicious mixture coated with royal ice. A delight !

Monuments

- Cours Mirabeau

This famous avenue is a major place of Aix en Provence. It is in the XVIIth century that, in place of the ancient ramparts of the city, a way was opened to allow coaches to circulate. This way became a pleasant walk, with is fountains, its trees and its magnificent town houses.

- Fountains

- The most ancient : the fountain Espéluque - place de l'archevêché
- The Fountain of four dolphins - in the heart of Mazarin district
- The Fountain of the City hall - Place of the city hall
- Albertas's fountain
- The Fountains of the "cours Mirabeau"
- The most imposing : "La Rotonde"

- Place d'Albertas

The history of this place begins in the XVIIIth century. Henri d'Albertas, whose family is influential in Aix en Provence, renews his mansion, then houses which surround it are acquired and demolished. Jean Baptist d'Albertas, his son, wants, in place of rubble, a place on the model of the royal places of Paris. A place worthly of his residence, his will is done..

- Sextius thermal baths

Aix en Provence is a spa town, but much more because from 122 before J.C, a Roman Consul based Aquae Sextiae's thermal baths. The source which flows under Sainte Victoire is already known during the antiquity for its benefactions, it is naturally warm and abounds in minerals. At the exact place of the Roman thermal baths, are today new Sextius thermal baths . A place which kept all the soul and the magic of nymphs who, according to the legend, lived there. You will appreciate a magic place for a moment of well-being in Provence.

55 avenue des Thermes

Tél. : 09 64 42 70 78

- The Law Court

The construction of the current Law Court was ended in 1832. The Law court replaces the residencial place of sovereigns, ancient parliament of Provence, which was destroyed in the XVIIIth century. The room of "pas-perdus" is very elegant, you will be able to admire its numerous columns.

Place de Verdun

Tél. : 04 42 21 72
Fax : 04 42 96 25 41

- Town houses

It is one of the treasures of Aix en Provence, these magnificient residences compete in splendor and in size. These town houses were built between the XVIth and the XVIIIth century. Aix en Provence being capital of Provence, the city collects the nobility and the upper middle class of the Region. These residences (about 160 in the city) were a way of asserting ones social rank, you will find them in the old town and naturally on the main avenue.

- Saint Sauveur's Cathedral

This cathedral is a real jewel. Built on an Apollon's ancient temple according to the legend, it did not stop evolving during centuries. Built from the Vth century, it is reshaped till XVIIIth century, it conjugates romanic, gothic and garoque style. Organ, tryptique... its walls protect masterpieces...

34 place des Martyrs de la Résistance

- The City Hall

The city hall place offers you its fountain from the XVIIIth century, its tower of the clock ( local tower from the Middle Ages) and the astronomical clock (1661). The city hall dates from the XIIth century, its facade is italian and its sculptured wooden magnificent doors open on a beautiful inner courtyard.

Place de l'Hôtel de Ville

Tél. : 04 42 91 90 00

Musées

- Le Musée Arbaud

It is Paul Arbaud, erudite, amateur of Provençal culture and collector who gave its house to the academy of Aix en Provence. In this town house, you will discover the most impressive collection of Provençal earthenwares from the 18th century, as well as a library with numerous manuscripts (from the XIVth to the XXth century).

2 rue du 4 Septembre
Tél. : 04 42 38 38 95

- La Cité du Livre

In 1786, the marquees of Méjanes gave by testament all his library ( a collection of 80 000 volumes). It is due to this donation that was born "La Cité du Livre", the place collects this fabulous collection of works. Then, around this patrimony, open other spaces dedicated to culture.
More information >>>>

8 rue des Allumettes
Tél. : 04 42 27 11 86

- Le Pavillon de Vendôme

It is a house from the XVIIIth century. Admire the splendor of these residences and imagine life in these places, made of quiet and joy. This pavilion is surrounded with a formal garden and protects furniture, paintings and portraits from the XVIIth and from the beginning of the XVIIIth centuries. Contemporary exhibitions are welcomed there.

32 Rue Célony
Tél. : 04 42 91 88 75

- Le Musée Granet

It is the museum which was labeled "Museum of France", you will find there a permanent impressive collection. Numerous paintings signed by the most great masters, 600 paintings, sculptures and archaeological objects are exhibited there. Guided tours are proposed as well as conferences and temporary exhibitions.

10 rue Rous Alphéran
Tél. : 04 42 52 88 32

- Le Musée des Tapisseries

The place itself should be seen, the collection of tapestries from the XVIIth and XVIIIth centuries is in the "Palais de l'Ancien Archevêché". This collection counts quite unique tapestries. A part of the museum is dedicated to the performing arts (decors, costumes...).

28 place des Martyrs de la Résistance
Tél. : 04 42 23 09 91

- Le Museum d'Histoire Naturelle

This museum is not very young, its collection does not stop being fed by the last discoveries of fossils around Sainte Victoire. Since its creation in 1838, the Museum of Natural History puts dinosaurs to the fore, skeletons, eggs...

More information >>>

6 Rue Espariat
Tél. : 04 42 27 43 88

- L'Atelier Cézanne

It is a mythical place, painter's admirers are close to the master. It was its last place of creation, masterpieces shaped in this studio. The objects which surrounded the painter are still in their place. Conferences are given for passionate people.

9 avenue Paul Cézanne
Tél. : 04 42 21 06 53

- La Fondation Vasarely

This foundation was created by Victor Vasarely in 1976. The works which are exhibited there ( paintings and sculptures) show to the guest how one can integrate art into architecture. He managed it due to geometrical abstract paintings and presents us monumental works.

1 avenue Marcel Pagnol
Tél. : 04 42 20 01 09

Events

Useful addresses

City Hall
Place de l'Hôtel de Ville
13616 Aix-en-Provence Cedex 01
Phone : 04 42 91 90 00 - Fax : 04 42 91 94 92

Tourist office
2, place du Général de Gaulle
13100 Aix en Provence
Phone 33 (0)4 42 161 161 - Fax 33 (0)4 42 16 11 62

National Police / Police station
Hôtel de Police
10, Avenue de l'Europe
13090 Aix en Provence
Phone : 04 42 93 97 00

Municipal Police
2, Cours des Minimes
13616 Aix en Provence CEDEX 1
Phone : 04 42 91 91 11 / Fax : 04 42 91 98 28

Municipal Police - Service of lost property
7, Rue Paul Bert
13616 Aix en Provence CEDEX 1
Phone : 04 42 91 91 81 / Fax : 04 42 91 89 67

Site map

Access

By Plane >
International Marseille-Provence Airport (25 km)

By Train >
Aix TGV train station : RD9 - Shuttle till Aix city (15 km)

By Car >
Highways A7 - A46 and A8
Exits : western Aix, south Aix and central Aix
Highways A54 and A9
Exits : western Aix and south Aix

Distance from towns

Mallemort > 51 km, Lauris > 36 km, Puyvert > 36 km, Sénas > 43 km, Lourmarin > 37 km, Cadenet > 31 km, Vaugines > 38 km, Cheval Blanc > 51 km, La Roque d'Anthéron > 33 km, Abbaye de Silvacane > 30 km, Villelaure > 29,5 km, Cucuron > 36 km, Ansouis > 32,5 km, Isle sur la Sorgue > 65 km, Buoux > 49 km, Bonnieux > 49 km, Cavaillon > 59,5 km, Rognes > 21 km, La Motte d Aigues > 34 km, La Tour d Aigues > 29,5 km, Salon de Provence > 38 km, Pertuis > 24 km, Menerbes > 59 km, Gordes > 77 km, Fontaine de Vaucluse > 73 km, Lacoste > 54 km, Apt en Provence > 56 km, Grambois > 36 km, Saint Rémy de Provence > 74,5 km, Mirabeau > 35 km, Vitrolles en Luberon > 42 km, Roussillon > 59 km, Avignon > 89 km, Cereste > 54 km, Marseille Provence Airport > 34 km, Venelles > 12 km, Manosque > 58 km, Arles > 77,5 km, Sault > 87 km, Marseille > 32 km, Pont du Gard > 87,5 km, Nimes > 107 km, Saint Tropez > 120 km, Cannes > 146 km, Nice > 174 km, Bandol > 69 km, Sanary sur mer > 72 km, Cassis > 49 km