French city of Aix-en-Provence (Provence region). Open left menu Aix-en-Provence Other places in Aix-en-Provence worth mentioning

Aix-en-Provence is one of the central and “atmospheric” cities of Provence, which you can choose as a base location, and from here you can make other trips and discover this entire beautiful region of France.

Aix-en-Provence is easy to get to even without a car: it is located just 30 kilometers north of Marseille (the official capital of Provence) and its international airport. At the same time, you can go to Aix-en-Provence directly from Marseille airport.

How to get to Aix-en-Provence from Marseille airport 2019

Shuttle buses run between these two points all day, from early morning until late evening, travel time is from 32 to 35 minutes, the cost of a one-way ticket in 2019 is 8.60 euros (round trip - 13.80 euros ). At Marseille airport you need to go to bus platform No. 1 (to the right of the exit from Terminal 1), and buy a ticket to Aix at the ticket office there (or from the driver). In Aix-en-Provence the bus arrives at bus station (Gareroutiere), which is located near the very center of the city (byAvenued` Europe walkto the "circle"SquareAnouarelSadateand further alongAvenuedesBelgesto the “heart” of Aix - Boulevard Mirabeau with the famous Rotunda fountain).

Aix-en-Provence is a fairly large and lively city (about 143 thousand inhabitants), in which typically Provençal narrow streets, secluded squares with spreading plane trees and colorful markets are organically combined with buildings of modern architecture. What makes it dynamic is the incredible number of educational institutions, some of which dates back to the 15th century. There are several universities and institutes, many colleges and lyceums, and Aix is ​​the center of several international study programs. Thanks to this, the terraces of cafes and restaurants, parks and squares of the city are never empty, the streets are lively and full of young people.

In the summer here, as in all of Provence, it is very hot, and the winter is quite warm, dry and sunny (on average 300 sunny days per year), but do not forget about mistral– the piercing and devastating wind of this region, which greatly complicates life for locals and tourists traveling through Provence. That's why best time for a trip - late spring or autumn, although the bulk of tourists go to Provence in the summer, in the murderous heat.

Where to stay in Aix-en-Provence

Sights of Aix-en-Provence

This french city retains tangible traces of the Roman period. Before the Romans, Celtic-Ligurian tribes lived in these places for several centuries, then in 123 BC they were defeated by the Romans under the leadership of the consul Gaius Sextius Calvin, and the city was named Aquae Sextiae in his honor. The Roman heritage of Aix is ​​not as grandiose as, for example, the world famous monuments in Avignon, Arles, Orange or Nîmes, but there are, in particular, several archaeological sites. After the decline of the Roman Empire, Aix several times became the prey of various European tribes (Visigoths, Franks, Lombards), and later of warlike Saracens, who often launched raids from the sea into the territory of modern Provence and the Côte d'Azur. The heyday of Aix-en-Provence began in the 12th century, under the rule of the Counts of Provence, and continued until the 15th century. In 1497, the city came under the rule of the French crown, and in 1501, Louis XII founded the Parliament of Provence here, which, however, did not go down in history as an important and useful institution. The parliament existed until the French Revolution.

The most famous native and resident of Aix-en-Provence, endlessly revered in the city, is Paul Cezanne (1839-1906), a post-impressionist artist. There is a special one in the city route called “In the footsteps of Cezanne”, whose map with detailed description can be obtained from the Aix tourist office. The route passes through the places of the famous artist - from the house where he was born to his resting place in the city cemetery of Saint-Pierre. All fans of Cezanne's work should definitely take a look at his workshop (Atelier Cezanne), which is located some distance from the center, on a hill. It was here that the artist painted his paintings until the very end. Opening hours of the Cezanne Workshop.

What else not to miss in Aix-en-Provence:

- Old city already mentioned by me Boulevard Mirabeau And many ancient fountains of Aix, giving the city its unique charm. Sometimes it is even figuratively called the city of a thousand fountains, and although this is an obvious quantitative exaggeration, it is essentially true.

- Cathedral, or Cathedral of the Holy Savior(full name - Cathédrale Saint-Sauveur d "Aix-en-Provence), the main cathedral and residence of the Archbishop of Aix. It was built on the basis of the Roman forum of the 1st century AD in the 12th century and was repeatedly rebuilt and modified until the 19th century. The Cathedral combines features of Romanesque, Gothic and neo-Gothic architecture, as well as Romanesque columns and parts of the baptistery of a Christian church of the 6th century.The interior of the cathedral and the works stored in it are also of great interest.

- Square in front of the Hotel de Ville Aix, thermal water fountain and the oldest in the city Baths of Sextus, which are open to this day and provide modern thermal and spa treatments (though not all reviews about them are laudatory).

- Mazaran Quarter, located south of the Boulevard Mirabeau, with luxurious 17th-18th and 19th century mansions of the local aristocracy, Jourdan Park

One of the largest and most significant museums - Granet Museum, named after Aix-en-Provence-born artist and collector François Marius Granet, who donated his entire art collection to the city. The museum contains a rich collection of paintings (Degas, Gauguin, Cezanne, Renoir, Van Gogh, Picasso, Monet, Bonnard, Leger and others), sculptures and ancient archaeological finds from the territory of Provence.

There is a mountain range near Aix-en-Provence Sainte-Victoire, which so often appeared on the canvases of artists who worked in Provence, primarily, naturally, Paul Cezanne. There are hiking and walking trails around and around the 1,011-meter mountain. cycling routes. From here you can enjoy beautiful views of the city, nearby Provençal villages and the sea.

Elena Kurylenko

Aix-en-Provence photo

The Théâtre du Jeu de Paume is a small ancient building from the mid-18th century. The Théâtre du Jeu de Paume is a cozy Italian theater with 493 seats.

The theater was built in an abandoned building of the former royal tennis court, where, according to legend, the king himself, the Sun, Louis XIV, loved to play. And although the building belongs to XVIII century, its facade and interior are simple and laconic, devoid of lush decoration and pompous decor.

In 1998, the building was closed for renovation. In May 2000, the renovated theater again opened its doors to visitors.

Coordinates: 43.52721400,5.45357500

Cathedral in Aix-en-Provence

The cathedral was built in the 12th century, but since then has undergone a number of restoration works and reconstructions, and therefore only part of the baptistery has survived to this day. The construction of the facade continued for many years, and was completely completed only at the beginning of the 16th century. Amazing not only with its dimensions, but also with the beauty of its architectural design, this cathedral has long become popular among tourists. Inside you can see the famous triptych "The Burning Bush", created by Nicolas Froment in the 15th century. The cloister of the cathedral, built in the 12th century to house canons, is decorated with four columns located at the corners, which depict the four religious symbols of the evangelists: an angel, a lion, a calf and an eagle.

Coordinates: 43.53194400,5.44722200

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Town Hall in Aix-en-Provence

Built in the sixteenth century, the town hall with a 16th-century Gothic clock tower is one of the most interesting attractions of Aix-en-Provence.

The base of the town hall has been preserved from Roman times. The tower is decorated with a bust of Louis XIII, erected in honor of the monarch's visit to Aix. The architecture of the town hall is inspired by Italian buildings, the sculptural design belongs to the masters Rambaud and Fosse. The facade was richly decorated, however most of decoration was destroyed during the Revolution. The carved wood doors and courtyard have been preserved.

On the ground floor of the town hall, in the main hall, canvases on historical subjects, portraits of the Counts of Provence and French kings are exhibited.

Coordinates: 43.51666700,5.44911600

In the city of Aix-en-Provence, there are markets three times a week - on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday, but the largest market is, of course, held on the weekend.

In the markets you can always find lavender oil, various varieties of olives, tapenade (paste of olives, anchovies and capers), pastis, Marseille soap, Provençal sweets and other products and things that are made in this city. At the market you can buy local cheeses, mainly goat cheeses, the most famous of which is Banon cheese, wrapped in chestnut leaves.

The Provence market is not only a place where you can buy food, clothes and household items, but also a place for socializing, discussing news and gossip. It is always crowded, fun, noisy and fragrant.

The city is also a Provençal center for antiques: rare antiques are sold here, which are sought after by connoisseurs of rarities and collectors from all over the world.

Coordinates: 43.52900300,5.44786700

Fountains of Aix-en-Provence

Aix-en-Provence is known as the “city of water” or “the city of a thousand fountains”, and this is not surprising - after all, in almost every square of the city you can find water, and sometimes even unusual fountains are made in the nooks and crannies and on the walls. All fountains are made in completely different styles and were built in different eras.

The Romans, who founded the city, discovered cold and hot springs here, which made it possible to supply the city with water and open Roman baths here. Today, there are several hundred fountains in Aix-en-Provence - ancient and modern.

The fountain on Place d'Alberta is one of the most attractive places in the city for tourists. His metal decorations were cast by students at the School of Crafts in 1912. What gives a fountain its value is its attractive architectural ensemble the square itself, built in six years at the direction of Jean-Baptiste d’Albert.

Coordinates: 43.52780200,5.44875200

Monument to Paul Cézanne

The monument represents a full-length figure of the artist, standing with his arms crossed on a cane and his hat pulled down over his eyes - this is how Paul Cézanne preferred to wear his headdress. This monument was erected against the backdrop of evergreens in the park where the painter loved to walk. For a long time, Paul Cézanne lived away from home, but, returning to his native Aix-en-Provence in 1886, he spent the last 20 years of his life here, enjoying the beauty of his native city.

Being one of the most prominent representatives of post-impressionism of his period, Paul Cézanne immortalized his name with such works as “Girl at the Piano”, “In the Rooms” and “Tannhäuser Overture”. different countries visit this monument, paying tribute to the talent of the painter.

Coordinates: 43.54058500,5.44704400

Club Spartacus

Spartacus Club – famous French club electronic music, which is located between Aix-en-Provence and Marseille.

The interior of the club is made in Roman style, which corresponds to its name.

The club is famous among the French and visitors from other countries. It is famous for its amazing parties that will be remembered for a long time.

The club is open on Fridays and Saturdays, as well as on some holidays.

Coordinates: 43.44126600,5.37999300

Workshop of Paul Cézanne

Fans of Paul Cézanne's work tend to go where they can feel the presence of the artist himself. IN small town In Aix-en-Provence, Cézanne set up his workshop, which served him as a refuge, inspiration, and place of work. Dozens of works painted here, in a quiet, sun-drenched corner of France, are now housed in the world's largest museums.

Entering the studio, the first thing we see is a shelf along the entire western wall, a table, a drawer, low stairs, a high easel, a sofa, several chairs - objects that became the heroes of his still lifes. All of them immerse visitors into the closed world of the artist’s soul. Each of the items complements each other. They continue to live, keeping the memory of the Master.

Thanks to Marcel Provence, the owner of the workshop after Cezanne’s death, which he bought from the artist’s son, Paul, the workshop remained in the same form as during the life of the great master.

Coordinates: 43.53842700,5.44627800

Grand Theater of Provence

The Grand Théâtre de Provence is a young but already very popular musical theater in the region.

The Grand Théâtre de Provence was inaugurated on June 29, 2007, and the famous opera “Die Walküre” by Richard Wagner was the first to be performed on the stage of the newly created theater.

Deserves special attention amazing building young theater, which does not look like a theater building in the traditional sense. Take its shape, which resembles either a funnel, a flask, or a key - everyone is free to interpret it in their own way.

It is also noteworthy that the theater is located below the level of the street on which it is located.

The theater has been central to the French Youth Orchestra since its founding.

Coordinates: 43.52608800,5.44069300

The most popular attractions in Aix-en-Provence with descriptions and photographs for every taste. Choose best places for visiting famous places Aix-en-Provence on our website.

Beaches of the Cote d'Azur, ski resorts, many attractions, aromatic wine and excellent cuisine. This is just a small list of what awaits a tourist who gets off the plane landing at a French airport.

Introductory information about France

France is made up of many regions, each of which has its own unique history, set of attractions and unique local cuisine. You can relax here both in winter and summer. In the hot season, the Cote d'Azur awaits tourists, and in frosty weather resorts invite French Alps. Conventionally, France can be divided into two zones – excursion and resort:

• The first includes almost the entire Ile-de-France region, widely famous Valley Loire, as well as many cities, among which are Paris, Strasbourg, Le Havre, Orleans, Rouen and dozens of others.
• Leadership among beach resorts takes Cote d'Azur, followed by the island of Corsica and the Atlantic coast. In winter they mainly go to the Three Valleys and Portes du Soleil.

Aix en Provence

If you look at the climate map of French cities, you will notice that the climate is mostly temperate-marine. In the eastern regions it gives way to continental, and on the coast Mediterranean Sea– subtropical. Therefore, the weather varies in the regions - it is better to go to Paris in May or October, and June or September is suitable for visiting the French Riviera.

You can vacation in Corsica from May to October, but in August it will be quite hot. People ski in Alpine resorts starting in November, but the most snow here is in February.

Note! Ideal time for excursion trip In the cities of France it is high season, when all tourists travel to the Cote d'Azur. Yes, the coastal resorts are crowded, but provincial hotels are almost empty, so renting a room will be very easy

By the way, about prices in French cities - the algorithm for their formation defies any logic. And this applies to both real estate and products. Having bought a loaf of bread in one store and going to another one across the street, you can see a completely different price. There is no use in bargaining; this is only possible in the market. But this article will examine the nuances of recreation not throughout the country, but only in one city called Aix-en-Provence (France).

Region Ile-de-France

A few words about hotels in Provence

This city is also simply called Aix (France). Provence is a popular region among tourists, so there are quite a lot of hotels here, but only a few are particularly popular:

• The true spirit of Provence can be felt at Villa Gallici. There is a real homely feeling here, the service is at the highest level, and the dishes prepared by the chef are beyond all praise. Despite the fact that the hotel is located in the city center, there is no noise or bustle of the city. The cheapest room as of September 2018 costs 300 euros* per night.
• The best advertisement for Le Pigonnet is its guests. At various times, P. Picasso, L. Kravitz, K. Eastwood and Catherine Deneuve stayed here. There is everything for have a great holiday, and the highlight is the huge park. The minimum room price is 150 euros.
• The art hotel Aparthotel Adagio Aix-en-Provence Center is not as luxurious as the five-star hotels presented above, but it fully deserves its 4 stars. The room here is a fully equipped apartment with a bathroom and a kitchen where you can prepare meals. In the morning, the guest will be offered breakfast. The cost of the apartment is 100 euros.

Note! Another popular art hotel in Aix-en-Provence is the Appart’hotel Odalys Atrium. The cost for one night is 80 euros.

Other worthy hotels in Provence include the five-star Renaissance Aix-en-Provence and four-star Les Lodges Sainte-Victoire and Hôtel de Gantès.

Five-star Renaissance Aix-en-Provence

Tourist route around the city of Aix-en-Provence

Tourists visiting Aix-en-Provence (France) will be offered several route options for an introductory tour.

• A number of historical routes.
• A route related to the life and work of Paul Cézanne and his family.
• Visit to the mansion, workshop and places where Cezanne painted.
• Tour of the suburbs of Aix-en-Provence.

Note! The first three routes of the city of Aix-en-Provence can be either on foot or by transport. The latter is carried out only by car.

Aix-en-Provence attractions worth visiting

You should start your walk around Provence from the so-called Old Town, located north of the main square, and Mirabeau Boulevard. Here stands the Church of Saint Madeleine, which was painted by Van Lo and Rubens, as well as the preserved façade of the medieval town hall and Cathedral The Holy Savior, which was painted by Nicolas Froment himself in the 15th century.

Continuing your journey, you should look into the archbishop's palace of Ancier-Archeves, where the Museum of Tapestries created in Beauviers and the Museum of the Old Town are located.

Note! Saint-Jean-de-Malte is the first church in Provence built in the Gothic style. Previously it belonged to the Order of the Hospitallers.

After seeing the sights of the Old Town, you can return to Mirabeau Boulevard, where there is also a lot of interesting things. For example, the creations of the sculptor Pierre-Jean David D’Angers, who lived in the 19th century. Its statue of King René the Good is a real decoration of the square. An equally interesting creation is the Rotunda fountain.

To the south of the boulevard is the Mazaran quarter, where four centuries ago there were elite houses of aristocrats. Going to Place Saint-Jean-de-Malte, you can get to the Granet Museum, where among the many exhibits you can find objects from the city of Entremont - the capital of the Ligurians and paintings by Marius Granet, after whom the museum is named.

Cultural center La Cité du livre

In Cézanne's former workshop there is an Atelier where you can see the tools the master used, as well as unfinished canvases. But the most impressive thing is the atmosphere in the room: it seems that the artist himself will come in now and continue working on his next masterpiece.

Upon completion of the inspection of the workshop, you should look at la Place d’Albertas, after which you can safely go to the unique architectural museum complex, the Vasarely Foundation. The exhibition, assembled by Victor Vasarely, included his own works, thanks to which a new architectural and graphic style was developed.

All lovers of contemporary art should visit Cultural Center La Cité du livre of Provence is a media complex located in an abandoned but reconstructed match factory. Fans of modern cinema and literature from all over France flock here to discuss new works. In addition, various exhibitions, performances, film screenings, and lectures are held here. Held in mid-autumn traditional festival la Fête du livre. But this is not the end of the walk around the sights and interesting places Aix-en-Provence, because the outskirts of the city remained unexplored, which will be discussed below.

Other places in Aix-en-Provence worth mentioning

There are no less attractions in the vicinity of Aix-en-Provence (France). Among the main ones, the following should be mentioned:

• Mount Saint-Victoire, which Cézanne called his muse.
• 14th century castle in Vauvenargues, where Pablo Picasso's grave is located.
• The 12th century Torone Monastery is located near the city of Kars.
• Entrecasteaux is a village that seems to have come out of the Middle Ages. The whole of it is a monument to the historical and architectural landscape of the 11th century.

Those wishing to try black truffles should visit the town of Ops, and the Var department welcomes fans of eco-tourism. In a word, Provence has entertainment for every taste, so traveling through its lands is guaranteed to bring a lot of pleasure and unforgettable impressions.

*Prices are current as of October 2018.

Aix-en-Provence has long been famous for its stunning beauty and healing climate. The city is considered conservative, quiet and cozy.

For example, there is much more sun in Marseille than in Aix-en-Provence - the weather is not subject to sharp fluctuations, you can have a good rest here at any time of the year. At the very beginning of May average temperature reaches 28-30°C.

The climate is moderately warm and healing. The weather forecast for the week is always necessary for tourists flying to France on holiday.

The city has many irreplaceable places for a walk, where you can take a photo as a souvenir. Boulevard Mirabeau is named after the famous political figure who took part in the French Revolution. During the excursion, tourists get acquainted with the Rotunda fountain and the statue of King René the Good, sculpted by David d'Angers.

Workshop of Paul Cézanne

The Church of the Madeleine is of greatest interest. At the end of the boulevard there is a well-preserved cathedral Cathedral of the Holy Savior. Returning to Old city, tourists pay attention to another attraction - Paul Cézanne's workshop. France is proud of the work a bright representative post-impressionism. The works exhibited in the hall testify to the greatness of the artist.

To get to the workshop in Aix-Provence, you need to take city bus number 5.

The gallery hosts group and individual excursions. The Tapestry Museum is located in the Bishop's Palace. It is designed in Romanesque and Gothic styles and has an amazing courtyard design. The paintings are in perfect harmony with the overall style and color of the room.

Cours mirabeau - Boulevard Mirabeau

Mausoleum of Jean Sec - mausolée Joseph seс (1792)

Pavilion de Vendôme

Rotunda Fountain

fontaine d'eau Chaude - Fountain of Warm Water

Grand theater de Provence - « Grand Theatre Provence"

Pavillon noir - "Black Pavilion"

Around the Old Town

Atelier de Cézanne – Paul Cézanne Studio

Cezanne's studio, which has now been turned into, where everyone can get a closer look at the creative atmosphere of the great artist.

If you are interested in the life and work of the great impressionist, you can follow the walk, which will take you past buildings and sites associated with the life of Paul Cézanne. The key points are three sites located outside the center of Aix: , the family mansion of Jas de Bouffan and the Bibemus quarries.

Already the building is already a work of art. It was created in 1976 and consists of 16 impressive hexagonal parts. Inside this unique building are collected 42 monumental works by Vasarely, known as the father of "sinetism", as well as a room dedicated to optical art. Victor Vasarely's project had both an architectural and a social purpose: to show that art could be incorporated into architecture to improve the quality of everyday life.

Fondation Vasarely, Aix-en-Provence

Cité du livre - Cultural Center

Mazarin quarter - Mazarin quarter

Sights of the Mazarin quarter in Aix-en-Provence:

Hôtel de Caumont (1715-1742)

Place des 4 dauphins - Square of the 4 dolphins

The square is named after a fountain decorated with figures of four dolphins. The fountain was built in 1667. The square is overlooked by many beautiful mansions, including Boisgelin, which features a beautiful interior carriage house and a façade with a monumental frieze.

Eglise st-Jean de malte - Church of St. John of Malta

Church of St. Jean of Malta located on the corner rue d'Italie and rue Cardinale. This ancient Gothic church, built in the 13th century, was the first gothic church V . In the 12th century, the site was home to a hospice and chapel for the Brotherhood of Hospitallers (also known as the Knights of Malta or the Order of St. John). This church was incorporated into a monastery of the same order, located in an olive grove outside the city walls. Since the 13th century, the church has served as the tomb of the counts of Provence. In the 17th century, with the expansion of the fortress walls to the south, the church entered the territory of the city of Aix. Then the monastery sold these lands, which created the Mazarin quarter. In the aftermath of the French Revolution, much of the church's interior, treasures, and statues were removed or looted, and the church itself was converted into a military warehouse. It was eventually restored in the 19th century, becoming a parish church. Currently it belongs to the Ministry of the Fraternity of Apostolic Friars.

Museum Granet - le musée Granet

Located in the building of the Order of the Knights of Malta, the museum received its name from the local artist François Marius Granet, whose works are also presented here.

The permanent exhibition includes one of the richest collections in Provence, mainly paintings by French artists from the 16th to 20th centuries, as well as various art schools: Dutch, Flemish and Italian. Since 1984, the museum’s collection has included 8 works by the famous impressionist Cezanne.

The archaeological hall contains a collection of finds from the territory of Aix and is dedicated to the Celto-Ligurian civilization.

Eglise de la madeleine

The church is located on the Place des Prêcheurs, which took its name from the Dominican monastery destroyed by fire in 1363, on the territory of which the Church of Saint-Madeleine was built. Construction took place under the direction of architect Laurent Vallon from 1691 to 1703. The Aachen architect Henri Revoil remodeled the façade of the church in 1855-60. The building has long been considered the most beautiful temple in the Bouches-du-Rhône region. The church was ranked among historical monuments in 1988.

Tapestry Museum - Musee des Tapisseries

On display are 19 tapestries made at Beauvais between the 17th and 18th centuries, as well as 9 panels from the life of Don Quixote.

The Tapestry Museum is a huge building, a former archbishop's palace, converted into a museum in 1909. Thanks to the archbishop, a rich collection of ancient tapestries has been preserved in the palace.