The 17 things to do in Aix en Provence

Are you in the country of Cezanne? Here are the 17 things to do in Aix-en-Provence.

Aix-en-Provence is located twenty-five kilometers from Marseille, in the Provence-Alpes-Côte-d’Azur region. The sub-prefecture of the Bouches-du-Rhône department is a bourgeois, young and dynamic city. It enjoys remarkable sunshine and exceptional heritage. An ideal destination for a cultural and festive stay, full of light.

Aix-en-Provence was founded in 122 BC by the Romans in the heart of a natural heritage of all beauty. Famous for its thermal baths, colourful streets, bourgeois buildings and fountains, the city of Aix-en-Provence attracts many tourists every year. It must be said that its city centre contains one hundred and fifty-six historical monuments, dating for most of the 17th and 18th century.

With its many museums, its festival, its terroir, its vineyards, its shopping streets, its architecture and its art of living, you will necessarily fall under the charm of this beautiful city of Aix-en-Provence.

Ready to live at the rhythm of cigal singing? Here are the 17 things to do in Aix-en-Provence.

1. Take the old town

Unable to visit Aix-en-Provence without taking the time to explore the paved streets of the old town. They are full of buildings and buildings, from the Middle Ages to the 18th century. You will have the joy of discovering multiple restaurants, cafés and pretty shops. Very pedestrian, it will allow you to appreciate the atmosphere of this beautiful city of Aix-en-Provence.

2. Flâner sur le Cours Mirabeau

The most famous street in the city is a must-see in Aix-en-Provence. Built in the 17th century to allow the high society to travel by coach in the city, the Cours Mirabeau is now lined with luxurious cafés, restaurants and private hotels, including the oldest date of 1648. It is also here that the city’s major events, such as the craftsmen’s market in the summer, or the Christmas market in December.

3. Place of the city hotel

Dating from the 14th century, this beautiful rectangular square houses the city hotel, inspired by the Italian Renaissance palaces, as well as a beautiful astronomical clock. The square is animated on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays for the famous flower market of the city. It is also on this square that takes place, every first Sunday of the month, a friendly market to books.

4. Discover the Mazarin area

A few steps from the Cours Mirabeau are the Mazarin district, built in the 17th by the archbishop of the same name. The neighbourhood, composed of luxurious houses and sumptuous fountains, was originally occupied by merchants and artisans of the city.

5. Visit the Atelier de Cézanne

If you have only one thing to do in Aix-en-Provence, go to discover the Atelier de Paul Cézanne, now transformed into a museum. Bathed with light, this mythical place offers you the opportunity to discover the life of this genius painter, born in Aix-en-Provence. It is in this exceptional environment and the particular brightness that he drew all his inspiration.

6. The Bastide of Bouffan Jas

To continue your stay in the footsteps of Paul Cézanne, go to the Bastide du Jas de Bouffan. She was the family home of the painter, and one of the places where he realized his most beautiful watercolours. The bastide and its park are today classified as historical monuments.

7. A trip to Parc Jourdan

Any idea what to do in Aix-en-Provence with a family? Plan a walk in the largest and most iconic park of the city, the Parc Jourdan. Located south of Aix-en-Provence, this four-hectare park was inaugurated in 1935. You can relax in the shade of the lime trees, admire the busts of Frédéric Mistral and Émile Zola. In the summer, don’t hesitate to take advantage of the many festivities organized by the city.

8. Tasting of clays

In Aix-en-Provence, treat yourself to the tasty and melting little sweet shuttles, typical of Aix. This confectionery, made from confit melon, embroidered almonds and confituous orange, is one of the great culinary classics of Aix-en-Provence, since the 15th century.

9. Visit the Granet Museum

Near the Cours Mirabeau is one of the must-sees to visit in Aix-en-Provence. The Granet Museum is located in the old palace of Malta. It offers a magnificent collection of paintings, from the 14th to the 20th century. This is Rembrandt, Ingres, Cézanne or Giacometti and Picasso.

10. Admire the church of La Madeleine

The church of La Madeleine is one of the most sumptuous monuments to see in Aix-en-Provence. Built in the 18th century by Laurent Vallon, she is the guardian of Michel Serre’s “Magdalen at Simon” or the “Tributych of the Annunciation”, by Flemish artist Barthélémy of Eyck.

11. Preaching the Sextius Baths

From Roman times, Aix-en-Provence becomes a well-known spa. Hammam, traditional sauna, relaxation lounges, spa, thermal showers, the Sextius Baths offer you what to relax after a day's visit.

12. The Vasarely Foundation

This architectural centre was designed, designed and funded by Victor Vasarely in person. Ranked as a historic monument, the Vasarely Foundation plunges you into the fascinating universe of optical art. You will also discover the works of abstract geometric art of the artist as well as temporary exhibitions of contemporary art.

13. Admire the fountains of the city

Aix-en-Provence is renowned for its magnificent fountains that adorn the streets and squares of the city. The most famous of them, the fountain of the Rotonde, dates back to 1860. It is at the bottom of the Mirabeau Course.

14. Hotel Caumont

A must-see in Aix-en-Provence, if you are an art lover! The old hotel, completely renovated, is one of the city’s architectural wonders. It regularly offers superb temporary exhibitions, dedicated to the greatest artists. A snack at the tea room and a detour by the shop will finish, perfectly, your visit.

15. Saint-Sauveur Cathedral

This cathedral, both in Romanesque and Gothic style, was built between the 12th and 15th century. It includes the sarcophagus of Saint-Mitre, a canonized martyr, as well as Nicolas Froment's "hot Buisson".

16. Gravir the mountain Sainte-Victoire

Known for the general public thanks to the stories of Marcel Pagnol and the paintings of Paul Cézanne, the Mont Saint-Victoire is a must-see in Aix-en-Provence. While its southern slope has a typical Mediterranean vegetation, the northern one enjoys an alpine flora, typical of the south of the Alps. When you climb, you will probably cross many animals. At the heart of the site, on a plateau of seven hectares, you will discover the careers of Bibémus, where Cézanne came to find his inspiration. He made it among his most beautiful paintings.

17. Enjoy the Slate Nights

Student and festive, the city will delight the noctambuls. Bars, restaurants, clubs, in Aix-en-Provence, you can party and enjoy the sweet summer evenings.

Things to do and see in Aix-en-Provence and its surroundings

Do you have time to go to Aix-en-Provence? Many other activities await you.

• Visit the Milles Memorial
• Admire the Vendôme Pavilion
• Relax at Lake Bimont
• Visit a vineyard of the region

How to get to Aix-en-Provence

By plane

Marseille Marignane Airport is only twenty-five kilometres from Aix-en-Provence and several airlines offer daily rotations from the main cities of France. To book your trip and get the best rates, use the Skyscanner flight comparison .

Once at Marignane Airport, between 5:30 a.m. and midnight, a shuttle is available to reach the centre of Aix-en-Provence in just 30 minutes. It is free for under six years, and costs six euros per trip, for other passengers.

You can rent a car to travel the region.

By train

Until Aix-en-Provence TGV

It is very easy to reach Aix-en-Provence in TGV from Lille, Paris, Lyon or Brussels. There are about three hours and twenty trips from the capital. Once you arrive at the Aix-en-Provence TGV station, taxis and a shuttle are available to reach the city centre.

Until the TER station in Aix-en-Provence

Many regional trains serve the SNCF train station, located near the city centre.

Please note: from 1 July to 3 November 2019, no train will travel to Aix en Provence station following work on the network.

Until the station of Marseille

Many trains and TGV serve the immense station of Marseille. Once you arrive in the Cité phocéenne, you can use buses 50 and 51 or a taxi to reach Aix-en-Provence in less than 30 minutes.

By bus

The city of Aix-en-Provence has a bus station well served by the bus. Get in touch with the companies FLIXBUS, OUIBUS, EUROLINES and ISILINES to book your trip.

By car

Welcome to the Sunway! Aix-en-Provence is located at the crossroads linking the north of France, Spain and Italy. And for a more environmentally friendly ride, think about carpooling!

By boat from Marseille

It is perfectly possible to access Aix-en-Provence by sea, thanks to the proximity of the port of Marseille, which is only forty minutes from the city centre. Once disembarked, you can take a taxi to reach Aix-en-Provence directly. A shuttle to the SNCF Station, and the Marseille bus station, is also available at the exit of the cruise port of the Phoenix City.

Where to stay in Aix-en-Provence?

Aix-en-Provence is a bourgeois city, where to stay expensive. It is not for nothing that Aix-en-Provence is often nicknamed the 21st arrondissement of Paris .

The city centre is ideal to fully enjoy the atmosphere and charms of the city, and realize almost all your walking tours. However, be careful where you decide to put your suitcases. In the summer, the old town is annoying until late in the evening, and some streets can be very noisy.

The East of the city will be privileged by those who wish to stay calm. If your budget is tight, the South of the city should allow you to find more affordable housing. Many people offer solutions accommodation in AirBnB . To find out where to stay in Aix-en-Provence, at the best price, compare prices on this Compare hotels .

Good stay in the country of the cigales! And if you also know Aix-en-Provence, tell us about your must-sees in comment.