Described as the land of Cézanne, located between the Mediterranean sea and the mountains of the Provencal hinterland, Aix-en-Provence is the perfect embodiment of a city of water and art.
Enjoying a remarkable amount of sunshine and an exceptional Roman heritage, Aix-en-Provence will seduce you with its many tourist attractions, its colourful streets, its thermal baths, its famous fountains, its private mansions and its many shaded café terraces.
Aix-en-Provence offers a true French art of living, from gastronomy to vineyards, from its festival to its architecture.
The city attracts many tourists every year, so we have prepared a top 10 list of things to do in Aix-en-Provence.
The old town of Aix-en-Provence
A visit to Aix-en-Provence must include the old town with its cobbled streets. This walk will take you back in time, as the old town of Aix offers history, architecture and above all art.
Take the time to stroll through the narrow streets and admire the facades, discover the many restaurants, cafés and independent shops. Make the most of it, the old town of Aix is pedestrianised!
The Cours Mirabeau
The Cours Mirabeau is a 400-metre-long artery linking the Mazarin district and the old town, and is therefore one of the liveliest places in the city. With its plane trees, fountains and cafés, the Cours Mirabeau is a great place to stroll. The most imposing fountain is the Rotonde fountain and its representations are strong with 3 statues representing Justice, Agriculture and Fine Arts.
The Granet Museum
The largest museum in the region, the Musée Granet is undoubtedly a must for all art lovers. Here, Picasso and Cézanne are obviously highlighted, but the artistic journey over more than 4000m² will allow you to discover other primitive, contemporary and Provençal creations.
Farmers' markets
They smell of the south, the farmers' markets will charm you with their smells but also with their colours. Go to the Place Richelme and taste the tapenades and olives from the Mediterranean. On Saturday mornings, go to the Place de la Mairie, to the flower market, then head for the Place des Prêcheurs and the Place de Verdun for gourmet discoveries and the clothes market near the Court of Appeal.
Saint-Sauveur Cathedral and its cloister
Built on an ancient forum, Saint-Sauveur Cathedral is a major religious building in Aix-en-Provence. It was built between the 12th and 15th centuries and therefore reflects two architectural styles, the Romanesque and the Gothic.
Cross the heart of this majestic cathedral to reach the cloister of the canons, where you will find tranquillity and elegance.
The fountains of Aix-en-Provence
Renowned for many years for its thermal springs with therapeutic virtues, the city of Aix-en-Provence has many fountains spread throughout the city. It is therefore pleasant to stroll through the narrow streets while discovering the fountains, each one more beautiful than the next, including the most famous, the Rotonde fountain on the Cours Mirabeau, the Prêcheurs fountain, the Sextius thermal baths fountain and the Pascal fountain.
The Hôtel de Caumont - art centre
Dive into the heart of a former private mansion. The Hôtel de Caumont, located in the Mazarin district and dating from 1742, is one of the city's architectural marvels that should not be missed. Recently renovated to restore its former splendour, it now hosts exhibitions dedicated to the great names in art. Take advantage of this setting to enjoy some sweets in the tea room or to stroll through its shop.
Cézanne's studio
Is it really possible to talk about Aix-en-Provence without talking about Cézanne? The artist, who made the landscapes of the Aix region famous through his paintings, built the Atelier des Lanves in 1901, which became more than a museum. Today, Cézanne's studio traces the artist's memory through his familiar objects and the many activities that punctuate the life of the studio. A place steeped in history, not to be missed.
The Sainte-Victoire Mountain
Let yourself be seduced by the surroundings of Aix-en-Provence. Made famous by Cézanne's paintings, the Provençal hinterland and the Sainte-Victoire mountain are among the must-sees during a visit to Aix. It takes a bit of walking to climb the mountain, but you will have the opportunity to walk through Mediterranean vegetation on its southern side and alpine vegetation on its northern side.
Visit Aix-en-Provence and stay in an apartment hotel near the city centre
For a visit of one day, 2 days or even more in the beautiful city of Aix-en-Provence, discover our City Residence apartment hotel. Our furnished studios and flats offer you all the comfort of a hotel room with the facilities of a flat, including a fully equipped kitchenette.
Enjoy our continental buffet breakfast before exploring the city.
Ideally located, our apartment hotel is close to the casino of Aix-en-Provence (the Pasino), the bus station and the city centre.
Remember to book your Aix-en-Provence apartment hotel today to benefit from the best guaranteed rates.
Practical information
The Aix-en-Provence City Pass allows you to visit Aix-en-Provence as a family, couple or with friends. Benefit from free access to 14 tourist sites in the city, guided tours or a tour of the city on a small tourist train. More information on the Aix City Pass here.
Events around Aix
Aix Festival
