Aix-en-Provence is a located in southern France, north of Marseille. It is a town of art and water… a duality which made its reputation. Aix has managed to keep its heritage and to modernize at the same time, opening to the world and to different cultures. Aix is Cezanne’s home town and inspired many of his paintings.
Access
Aix-en-Provence is easy to access either by train or by car, as the TGV train station is located 15 mins from the city centre. The motorway exits Aix Ouest and Aix Sud lead right into the city. The nearest airport is the Marseille-Provence International Airport, 25 km from Aix.
Activities
Aix has a rich cultural heritage, which has marked the city architecture and monuments. You will discover treasures of its wealthy past simply by walking around in the streets, giving you a chance to travel in time! The old town is the oldest part of the centre and is picturesque. If you discover it on market day (the Saint Sauveur market) it’s even better! The Cours Mirabeau is a great place of history and leisure, lively and crowded area with shops and restaurants.
Lots of markets enliven the city, as there as many markets as days in the week, all specialized, like the flower market, the old book market, the vegetable market, etc. The market place is part of the Provencal life, that is to say people meet and talk there and draw their inspiration for cooking from the market stalls.
Around the centre, places of interest include the Thermes Sextius (thermal baths), the Oppidum d’Entremont (a museum about the Gauls in Provence), the Atelier Cézanne (a museum about the painter), the Pavillon de Vendôme (a garden and Aixois villa housing some collections of 17th- and 18th-century furniture and pictures, plus temporary art exhibitions) and the Vasarely Foundation (architecture museum, also housing temporary exhibitions throughout the year).
Food and Drink
The Provencal cuisine comprises authentic, fresh and perfumed produce. Apart from the sweets “Calissons d’Aix” (made of marzipan), there is no real speciality from Aix, but rather regional dishes and produce. You will be able to taste local pastries, fishes, sellfishes, fresh anchovies with peppers and olives, dishes with tomato sauces and herbs from the hinterland… to enjoy with a local wine.
Restaurants
- Chez Maxime 12 pl Ramus 13100 AIX EN PROVENCE. Tel : 04 42 26 28 51. Price : €13 to 35.
- Les Deux Garcons 53 cours Mirabeau 13100 AIX EN PROVENCE. Tel: 04 42 26 00 51. Prices: around €30.
Guesthouses
There are plenty guesthouses and gites to rent for a night or several weeks, but also hotels in Aix and its surroundings.
- Domaine de la Brillance 195 route de Couteron, Aix en Provence
- Bastide de la Pierre de Feu 1523 Ch.de la Pierre de Feu, Aix en Provence
- La Santoline
- La Cremayère – Les Figons, Aix en Provence
In the event that you fall in love with the region and intend to buy a property there, Sextant properties have bi-lingual agents in the area who known the available properties. They will be able to accompany you on visits, answer your queries and generally make finding and choosing your ideal property a pleasure – all of which will speed the day you walk into your new home in Aix en Provence.