Key Attractions of Aix-en-Provence

Le Cours Mirabeau

The city’s main thoroughfare (and the most famous one) is the Cours Mirabeau, a street lined with cafes, restaurants and elegant mansions, and shaded by several rows of century-old plane trees. Once a street for horse-drawn coaches, today the cours Mirabeau links the Mazarin district to the south with the old commercial town to the north. Sit down at one of the terraces and watch life go by while sipping a cappucino or a latte and listening to the sounds of water playing in the fountains nearby.

Le Musee Granet (Granet Museum)

François Marius Granet was a famous aixois painter (1775-1849) who bequeathed his personal collection to the city upon his death. Housed in a historic building, the museum, one of the best in the region, features major works by French painters from the 16th and 17th centuries, as well as paintings from Dutch, Flemish and Italian schools. Please note: the museum is currently closed for renovation and will reopen its doors in June 2006.

Atelier Cezanne (Cezanne Studio)

Many of the visitors to Aix-en-Provence will have an interest in the work of Cezanne, and here they will have an opportunity to discover several of the artist’s familiar objects (many featured in some of his paintings). The studio is equipped with an audio/video room where visitors can watch relevant films and CD-roms.

Musee du Viel Aix (Museum of Old Aix)

Hotel Estienne de Saint Jean is one of the finest hotels particuliers from the end of the 17th century. The finely carved door opens into a hall with a magnificent balustrade in wrought iron. The main living areas, which have preserved part of the original decor, house the Musee du Viel Aix. The museum contains memorials to Aix’s past, including furniture, costumes, paintings, china and local figurines.

Pavillon de Vendome (Vendome Pavilion)

Surrounded by an elaborate French garden, the Pavillon de Vendome gives visitors the opportunity to see a typical Aix mansion as it would have looked in the 18th century. Well preserved furniture, paintings and artefacts from the 17th and 18th centuries give a glimpse into the lives of the local aristocracy of the time.

Excursions of Aix-en-Provence

Ste Victoire: The mountain immortalised by Cezanne rises 1,011m (3,317ft) high and stretches 12km (7.5 miles) over the Aix countryside and is still a popular place with hikers and rock climbers (the south face of the mountain is a steep one), despite big forest fires in 1989. The view from the top is breathtaking.

Marseilles: On the coast, 30km (18.5 miles) south of Aix-en-Provence, lies Marseilles, France’s third largest city. Visit the famous Vieux Port (the old port), Notre Dame de la Garde (which watches over those at sea), or just spend an afternoon sunbathing on one of the many beaches. For more information on Marseilles, check out Columbus Marseilles city guide.

Culture of Aix-en-Provence

Music: The big event for classical-music fans is the Festival d’Art Lyrique: lavish productions featuring some of the best voices from around the world are held in the magical setting of the courtyard of the former Archbishop’s palace. Other productions can be seen year round at the Theatre du Jeu de Paume,17-21 rue de l’ Opera , and for more unusual stuff, La Fonderie, 14 cours St Louis.

Theatre: The theatre scene in Aix is an exciting one, with lots of small theatres showcasing experimental stuff and less ordinary productions. The pick of the best for new plays and creative exchanges includes the Theâtre Antoine Vitez, Universite de Provence, 29 avenue Robert Schumann ; the Theâtre des Ateliers, 29 place Miollis ; and La Fonderie, 14 cours St Louis .

Dance: The esteemed Ballet Prejlocaj has established its headquarters at the Cite du Livre, turning Aix into a centre for new talent in modern dance. Danse a Aix is a popular dance festival in summer.

Films: The main cinemas are Le Cezanne, 1 rue Marcel Guillaume; Renoir, 24 cours Mirabeau; and Mazarin, 6 rue Laroque . For arthouse movies try Salle Armand Lunel at the Institut de l’Image, Cite du Livre, 8/10 rue des allumettes .

Tickets for most shows can be purchased directly from the venues or from the FNAC ticket network at the tourist office . Le Guide des Sorties (website: www.leguidedessorties.fr) is a free monthly publication with listings for events in Aix and Marseilles. Available from the tourist office and from some venues.

Nightlife in Aix-en-Provence

Bars: For those feeling a bit nostalgic, there is (surprisingly maybe for this city in the south of France) no shortage of pubs: take your pick from the Red Clover, 30 rue de la Verrerie, O’Neil, rue d’Italie, Queen’s Head, 11 rue St-Jean, O’Sullivan’s, place des Augustins or The Old Bulldogge, 32 rue Emeric David. For something a bit more French, try Le Bistrot Aixois, 37 cours Sextius, or the IPN, 23 cours Sextius, both perennial favourites with students. Or for something a bit more classy, Les 2 Garçons on the cours Mirabeau is a good place to while away an evening.

Casino: The new Pasino, 21 avenue de l’Europe is a big complex with a casino (roulette, blackjack, poker, 280 slot machines), several restaurants, art exhibitions and meeting space.

Clubs: The high student population means that there is no shortage of clubs in Aix-en-Provence. From the trendy Le Mistral, 3 rue Frederic-Mistral (near the cours Mirabeau), a monument to loud music with a notoriously fickle entry policy, and the place to see and be seen; to venues like Les Templiers, route d’Avignon, quartier Lignane, a house music venue featuring top-notch DJs, or Le Divino, mas des Aubères, the choice is vast. There are special student nights in many venues, so check local guides for the latest information.

Live Music: The Hot Brass Jazz Club, chemin d’Eguilles, near Celony, is a good place for jazz, while those more into rock should head for Le Bistrot Aixois, 37 cours Sextius.

Economy of Aix-en-Provence

Industries formerly included flour-milling, the manufacture of confectionery, iron-ware, hats, matches and the extraction of olive oil.

Current industries include:
Tourism
Semiconductor and Electronic Industry in Rousset
Development services (computer science)
Provence Crafts
Universities
still, distillation of olive-oil
manufacture of the famous calissons, sweets made of almond paste flavoured with confit melon and orange.
wine-making. The local Appellation d’Origine Controlee is Coteaux d’Aix-en-Provence AOC.

Aix en Provence Tourist Attractions

Sightseeing Overview

Aix-en-Provence is a pleasant city to discover on foot, and visitors should take the time to explore its many squares, admire its well preserved architecture and discover its many fountains (over 20 of them). A good starting point is the cours Mirabeau, which divides the city in two, with the Old Town to the north and the Quartier Mazarin to the south. Most of Aix’s attractions lie within these boundaries, although a few, such as the Atelier Cezanne and the Fondation Vasarely, are further afield (but still within easy reach).

Passes
Visa pour Aix et Pays d’Aix is a card that is available from the tourist office and participating venues and gives discounted access to museums and public transport in Aix and the local area.

Key Attractions:

Le Cours Mirabeau

The city’s main thoroughfare (and the most famous one) is the Cours Mirabeau, a street lined with cafes, restaurants and elegant mansions, and shaded by several rows of century-old plane trees. Once a street for horse-drawn coaches, today the cours Mirabeau links the Mazarin district to the south with the old commercial town to the north. Sit down at one of the terraces and watch life go by while sipping a cappucino or a latte and listening to the sounds of water playing in the fountains nearby.

Le Musee Granet (Granet Museum)

François Marius Granet was a famous aixois painter (1775-1849) who bequeathed his personal collection to the city upon his death. Housed in a historic building, the museum, one of the best in the region, features major works by French painters from the 16th and 17th centuries, as well as paintings from Dutch, Flemish and Italian schools. Please note: the museum is currently closed for renovation and will reopen its doors in June 2006.

Atelier Cezanne (Cezanne Studio)

Many of the visitors to Aix-en-Provence will have an interest in the work of Cezanne, and here they will have an opportunity to discover several of the artist’s familiar objects (many featured in some of his paintings). The studio is equipped with an audio/video room where visitors can watch relevant films and CD-roms.

Musee du Viel Aix (Museum of Old Aix)

Hotel Estienne de Saint Jean is one of the finest hotels particuliers from the end of the 17th century. The finely carved door opens into a hall with a magnificent balustrade in wrought iron. The main living areas, which have preserved part of the original decor, house the Musee du Viel Aix. The museum contains memorials to Aix’s past, including furniture, costumes, paintings, china and local figurines.

Pavillon de Vendome (Vendome Pavilion)

Surrounded by an elaborate French garden, the Pavillon de Vendome gives visitors the opportunity to see a typical Aix mansion as it would have looked in the 18th century. Well preserved furniture, paintings and artifacts from the 17th and 18th centuries give a glimpse into the lives of the local aristocracy of the time.

Further Distractions:

Musee d’Histoire Naturelle (National History Museum)

Founded in 1838, this museum, housed in another beautiful historic building, boasts a unique collection of dinosaur fossils found on nearby Ste Victoire mountain. Additional fossils include fish, insects and plants.

Fondation Vasarely (Vasarely Foundation)

A striking structure located just outside Aix in the Jas de Bouffan, the Fondation Vasarely was founded by Victor Vasarely in 1976 to promote the integration of art in architecture.