Back in college, I spent ten months studying abroad in lovely Aix-en-Provence, France. Imagine a town filled to the brim with charming cobbled streets, a perfect climate, and unreal landscapes — that’s Aix. As a former Aix-pat myself, it only felt right to craft a blog post with all the best things to do and see while in the city. It holds a special place in my heart and will forever be one of my favorite places.
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General information about Aix-en-Provence
- Founded: 123 BC
- Population: 143,097 people
- Region: Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur
- Average sunshine days per year: 300
- Language: French, although you may see signs written in the Provençal dialect of Occitan
Best things to do in Aix-en-Provence
Walk the Cours Mirabeau
The Cours Mirabeau is Aix’s wide, tree-lined avenue in the middle of town. At the end, you’ll find the imposing Fontaine de la Rotonde, a 19th-century fountain with three sculptures on top. They represent Justice, Agriculture, and Fine Arts, the three main activities that Aix-en-Provence is known for.
All along the Cours Mirabeau, you’ll find shops, cafes, and restaurants catering to every type of traveler. Whether you want to sit and people watch, find some souvenirs, or grocery shop for your next picnic, the Cours Mirabeau is the place to do it.
Admire some beautiful churches
Like many cities in Europe, Aix-en-Provence has a handful of intricate and historic churches that date back hundreds of years.
- Cathédrale Saint Sauveur: Also known as Aix Cathedral
- Église Saint Jean de Malte: 13th-century Gothic church with stained glass windows
Find your favorite fountain while wandering the streets
Aix is known as the “City of a Thousand Fountains.” A few centuries ago, the natural thermal water sources around Aix were used to provide water for Roman baths. Since then, the number of fountains has grown exponentially. One of the best things to do in Aix is to wander around the narrow side streets and go fountain hunting!
Some notable fountains to look out for:
- Four dolphins fountain (Fontaine des Quatre Dauphins)
- Fontaine d’Albertas
- Mossy fountain (Fontaine Moussue)
- Boar fountain (Fontaine Sanglier)
Have a pique-nique
A picnic (or pique-nique in French) is the perfect way to spend a sunny afternoon with your friends. Swing by a Monoprix, buy some cheese and crackers, and plop yourself down on a checkered blanket. On the weekends, the parks in Aix are full of groups hanging out in the grass and drinking wine.
The best parks in Aix:
- Promenade de la Torse: Lots of green space along a river
- Parc Jourdan: Near the university
- Parc Rambot: English-style garden
Town hall (Hôtel de Ville)
Aix’s Town Hall in Town Hall Square (Place de l’Hôtel de Ville) is one of the coolest places to see in the city. During the week, you can expect to find street vendors selling fresh flowers, people drinking wine en terrasse, and tourists taking in the sights. The square is a bustling hub of activity that should not be missed. Grab a seat at one of the cafes on the square and spend some time soaking in the sun.
Browse an open-air market
One of the greatest parts about visiting France is their passion for fresh and local food. Baguettes are baked daily from scratch, farmers’ markets sell artisanal jams and cheeses, and organic produce is sold directly to the consumers. Visiting a food or flower market in Aix is an experience in and of itself.
Notable markets in Aix-en-Provence:
- Place Richelme: Daily market with fresh produce that’s open from 8 am to 1 pm. Try finding some herbes de Provence, an aromatic blend of herbs and spices unique to the region.
- Place des Prêcheurs: Food market open Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays
- Cours Mirabeau: Yearly Christmas market on the tree-lined street. You can find Christmas ornaments, nutcrackers, mulled wine, and roasted chestnuts!
Follow the Paul Cézanne trail
Famous French Post-Impressionist painter Paul Cézanne was born and raised in Aix-en-Provence. His oil paintings, known for their varied styles, later influenced 20th-century abstract art.
A pedestrian route with “C’s” stamped into the ground goes all the way around the town. It has stops at various important places in Cézanne’s life, including spots that he wrote about in diaries and letters. Whether you’re an art buff or not, the Paul Cézanne trail is a great way to get out and see the town on foot.
Some stops on the route:
- Statue de Cézanne
- Eglise de la Madeleine
- Cathédrale Saint-Sauveur
Once you’ve walked the trail, head over to the Atelier de Cézanne to see his old studio that has been turned into a museum.
Address: 9 Avenue Paul Cézanne
Check out some museums
In addition to Cézanne’s studio, Aix has several high-quality fine arts museums. Spend a peaceful morning (or the rare rainy day) strolling through the various cultural gems at these museums.
- Musée Granet: Art and sculpture museum
- Granet’s Planque Collection: Offshoot exhibit in a chapel
- Fondation Vasarely: Optical and kinetic art in an open-air gallery. The building itself is a work of art designed by Victor Vasarely.
- Pavillon Vendôme: Art museum in a 17th-century building with surrounding gardens
- Hôtel de Caumont: 18th-century mansion with art exhibits and a café
- Musée du Calisson: Small museum that demonstrates how they make calissons, traditional French almond paste cookies
Place d’Albertas
The Place d’Albertas is a charming cobblestone square in a very cool area of town. In the center of the square, you’ll find the Fontaine d’Albertas, one of the many stunning fountains in Aix. Nearby, there are heaps of boutiques and trendy cafes to check out.
Camp des Milles
Camp des Milles was a French internment camp and deportation center that operated between 1939 and 1942. Now a memorial to the prisoners that passed through, it also serves as headquarters for UNESCO’s Chair of Education for Citizenship, Human Sciences, and Shared Memories.
You can visit Camp des Milles by taking the Line 4 bus from Aix towards Gare des Milles.
Spend time in a cafe
If you want to get a taste of life in France, go sit at an outdoor cafe and people watch for a few hours. Cafes are integral to social and cultural life in France, so it’s important to try out as many as you can! Cozy up with a cappuccino and let your worries melt away.
Some popular cafes in Aix:
- Les Deux Garçons: Historic cafe on the Cours Mirabeau
- Book in Bar: Book store slash cafe
- Meow Cats Café: Cafe with resident cats
- Mana Espresso: Has a full brunch menu
Go out on the town
Being a university town, it’s easy to find a party going on in Aix-en-Provence. Once the sun goes down, you’ll see that many bars and pubs spill out onto the streets until the wee hours of the morning. If you go out in Aix, make sure to try a glass of pastis, an anise-flavored spirit.
Some fun spots to go out:
- La Belle Epoque: Restaurant and cocktail bar
- Bar des PTT: Terrace on the Place Richelme
- Pub O’Sullivan’s: Irish pub with live music
- Le Mistral: Nightclub
Best places to eat in Aix-en-Provence
Aix is filled with all types of cafes and restaurants. Many of them are clustered on Rue d’Italie, Rue des Tanneurs, and Place des Augustins.
- Jacob’s and Paul: Baguettes and baked goods
- Faubourg 46: Elegant bistro cuisine
- MITCH: Contemporary French restaurant
- Amorino: Delicious ice cream
- Maison Béchard: For calissons, the traditional marzipan candy shaped like lemons
- Les Macarons de Caroline Eurl: For sweets (specifically macarons)
Best day trips from Aix-en-Provence
Marseille
Marseille is the second-largest city in France and only 35 minutes away from Aix by bus. There, you’ll find tons of historical and cultural activities to amuse any traveler. The Old Port, Basilique Notre-Dame de la Garde, and the Vallon des Auffes fishing village are some can’t-miss sights.
To get to Marseille from Aix, simply take a LeCar bus from the Gare Routière (line 50). Round-trip tickets cost 10€ ($11.61 US) and can be bought from the bus driver.
Cassis
Cassis is a gorgeous fishing town on the southern coast of France. Come here to stroll down the quaint streets, hit the beach, or go hiking in the nearby Calanques. The picture-perfect town of 7,000 people is sure to steal your heart as soon as you visit.
To get to Cassis from Aix, you’ll need to take a train or bus that connects through Marseille. Of course, there’s also the option of driving if you have your own transportation. The ride should take about 35 minutes.
Gorges du Verdon
The Gorges du Verdon are a series of cliffs set amongst a scenic river canyon. You’ll find waterfalls, white-water rapids, and stunning blue water. One of the best ways to experience the gorge is by taking a boat trip through the canyons.
To get to the Verdon Gorge from Aix, you’ll need to have your own mode of transportation. The drive takes approximately an hour and a half. Otherwise, you can also book a day tour that includes transportation there and back.
Book a tour to the Gorges du Verdon
Parc National des Calanques
Calanques National Park on France’s southern shore stretches between the towns of Marseille, Cassis, and La Ciotat. A calanque is essentially a steep valley that reaches into the sea and forms an inlet, specifically in the Mediterranean region of Europe. Calanques National Park is filled with these valleys, many of which lead to hidden beaches that are only accessible via hiking track or kayak.
To get to the Calanques, you’ll first need to reach Marseille or Cassis by bus or train. From there, you can either walk (to the nearer calanques) or take a taxi.
Montagne Sainte-Victoire
Looming 1,011 m (3,316 ft) over Aix, Mont Sainte-Victoire provides the perfect nearby escape into nature. There are several locations of interest that you can visit, like the Barrages (dams) de Bimont et Zola, the Bibemus Quarry, and the Vigneron Sainte-Victoire winery.
The most popular thing to do at Montagne Sainte-Victoire, however, is to hike to the top!
The hike up to the summit takes about 2 hours, while the hike down will take about an hour and a half. It’s not an easy hike, so be prepared to put in some work! To get to Montagne St Victoire from Aix, take the L140 (north side) bus. After crossing the Barage De Bimont dam, follow the signs to the trail.
Book a tour in Aix-en-Provence
Merci for reading this guide to Aix-en-Provence!
xoxo Niki
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