The beautiful university city of Aix-en-Provence is a classy and chic city with people from all walks of life sipping espresso in cafes located near the classical 17th and 18th-century buildings. The city was first founded by a Roman Consul, Sextius Calvinus, in 123 BC and was called Aquae Sextiae - Latin for the Baths of Sextius. It was named after the thermal springs that can be found in the city.
Its early history was volatile with many different groups occupying the city. It is not until the 12th century that the city reached its heyday. The rich architectural remains of the past can still be seen today. There are literally so many things to discover in this amazing city. Here are the 8 best things to do in Aix-en-Provence.
1. Cathédrale Saint-Sauveur d’Aix-en-Provence
The Cathédrale Saint-Sauveur d’Aix-en-Provence is a Roman Catholic cathedral, which is the seat of the Archbishop of Aix-en-Provence and Arles. It is also one of the many national monuments in France. Built on the site of a 1st-century Roman forum, the cathedral has been rebuilt on many several occasions between the 12th and 19th century. The combination of Romanesque, Gothic and Neo-Gothic elements in the cathedral makes it an architectural marvel worth discovering.
Cathédrale Saint-Sauveur d’Aix-en-Provence
Address: 34 Place des Martyrs-de-la-Résistance, 13100 Aix-en-Provence, France
2. Montagne Sainte-Victoire
Montagne Sainte-Victoire is a massive limestone mountain ridge which stands at 1,011 meters (3,340 feet) tall at its highest point. From its peak, you can have a wonderful view of Aix-en-Provence and sometimes even the Alps. The beautiful area surrounding the mountain and the mountain itself has been an inspiration to many great artists such as Paul Cézanne, Pablo Picasso, and Wassily Kandisky. For those who are not much into the arts, you can revel in the beautiful landscape by going on a hike there or engage in a death-defying paragliding activity. The Saint-Victoire massif is a popular destination in summer and over 700,000 people go through its paths every year.
3. Place de l’Hôtel de Ville
The beautifully crafted Baroque style town hall was built between 1655 and 1678. It is located in the Old Town of Aix-en-Provence. The place is a beautiful example of excellent medieval architecture that stood the test of time. On the weekends, the locals will meet up at the cafes around here to catch up with their friends and have a good time. There is even a flower market there which is open on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays. An Old Book Fair takes place on the first Sunday of each month.
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4. Vieil Aix
Vieil Aix is a flashback in time to the days where life was at a slower pace and the pathways were cobblestone. It is the perfect place for you to be seduced by its rustic charm as you walk by Parc Jourdan and the Place des Quatre Dauphins with a fountain with water-spouting dolphins. The picturesque winding streets of the old town is a perfect place for Instagram-worthy shots. The old town is filled with craft shops, boutiques, markets and so much more.
5. Atelier Cézanne
Step into the home of the famous French artist Atelier Cézanne and be thrown back to the time when he was alive and working. Cézanne worked in this studio daily from 1902 to his death in 1906. His works and furniture are still left untouched as it is since his death until now, more than a hundred years later. You can feel the very presence of Cézanne in his home. It is a surreal feeling indeed.
Atelier Cézanne
Address: 9 Avenue Paul Cézanne, 13100 Aix-en-Provence, France
Website: Atelier Cézanne - in French)
6. Camp Des Milles
The Camp Des Milles was a French internment camp. It was opened in September 1939 to detain Germans and ex-Austrians living in Marseille. About 3,500 artists and intellectual were detained there. It was later used as a transit camp by the Germans for the Jewish prisoners during the Holocaust. The prisoners here were then shipped out to the infamous Auschwitz camp where many atrocities occurred. The site is now a World War II memorial since 1993 and it aims to educate people about the things that occurred in the compound and to memorialize those that have fallen.
Camp Des Milles
Address: 40 Chemin de la Badesse, 13290 Aix-en-Provence, France
Website: Camp Des Milles
7. Pavilion de Vendôme
The historic Pavilion was built by the famous French architect, Pierre Pavillon, between 1665 to 1667. It was made as a hideaway for the Duke of Vendôme, Lous Mercoeur, for his love affair with Lucrèce de Forbin Solliès. The place is beautifully decorated with French-style gardens with a beautiful Baroque theme. The place is now a museum which houses temporary art exhibitions. Both the garden and the house of this Pavilion are listed as historical monuments by the French government.
Pavilion de Vendôme
Address: 13 Rue de la Molle, 13100 Aix-en-Provence, France
Website: Pavilion de Vendôme (in French)
8. Église Saint-Jean-de-Malte
The Église Saint-Jean-de-Malte is a 13th century Gothic Roman Catholic church near rue d'Italie and Rue Cardinale. The current site of the church was once a hospice, a chapel, a burial place and also a military storehouse. Despite its many different purposes, the church was restored to religious use by the 19th century. The interior of the church is a beautiful blend of gothic architecture fused with beautifully crafted paintings from the 17th to the 18th century. The huge stained window glass structures were intricately designed and anyone who looks upon them will be in awe.
Église Saint-Jean-de-Malte
Address: 24 Rue d'Italie, 13100 Aix-en-Provence, France
Pack your bags and go!
The university town of Aix-en-Provence is rich in culture and history that spans to over a thousand years. This coupled with the vibrant student life and the activities available here makes the city a must go for everyone. So book a ticket, pack your bags and go now to discover the beauty of this Southern French city. You will not regret it.
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