France > France travel > Provence > Aix-en-Provence
Aix-en-Provence travel guide
Aix-en-Provence is a very beautiful city, 25km north of Marseille, and to the south of the villages of the Luberon. Ever sophisticated, you might feel out of place in your scrappy holiday clothes, while all around you look beautiful and cool! Not to be missed if you are in the region.
Geography and Climate
Aix-en-Provence is situated in a plain overlooking the Arc, about a mile from the right bank of the river. The city slopes gently from North to South and the Montagne Sainte Victoire can easily be seen to the east. Aix' position in the south of France gives it a warm climate. It has an average January temperature of 5°C and a July average of 22°C. It has an average of 300 days of sunshine and only 91 of rain. Whilst it is partially protected from the Mistral, Aix does occasionally suffer the cold gusty conditions it brings.
Highlights
The Cours Mirabeau, a wide thoroughfare, planted with double rows of plane-trees, bordered by fine houses and decorated by fountains, divides the town into two portions. It follows the line of the old city wall. The new town extends to the south and west, the old town with its wide but irregular streets and its old mansions dating from the 16th, 17th and 18th centuries lies to the north.
The cathedral of Saint-Sauveur (Cathédrale Saint Sauveur), which dates from the 11th, 12th and 13th centuries, is situated in this portion of Aix. It is preceded by a rich portal in the Gothic style with elaborately carved doors, and is flanked on the north by an uncompleted tower. The interior contains tapestry of the 16th century, other works of art and a baptism pool from the fourth century. The archbishop's palace (Palais de l'Archêveque) and a Romanesque cloister adjoin the cathedral on its south side. The church of Saint-Jean-de-Malte, just south of the Cours Mirabeau dating from the 13th century, contains some valuable pictures and the Musée Granet, which has recently undergone restoration.
The hôtel de ville, a building in the classical style of the middle of the 17th century, looks on to a picturesque square (Place de la Mairie). It contains some fine woodwork and a large library which includes many valuable manuscripts. At its side rises a handsome clock-tower erected in 1505.
Also on the Place de la Mairie is the former Corn Exchange (Halle de Grains). This 18th century building is ornately decorated and was designed by the Vallon architects.
Aix has thermal springs, remarkable for their heat as well as for containing lime and carbonic acid. The bathing establishment was built in 1705 near the site of the ancient baths of Sextius, of which vestiges still remain.
The town, which is the seat of an archbishop and court of appeal, and the centre of an académie (educational circumscription), numbers among its public institutions a Court of assizes, tribunals of first instance and of commerce, and a chamber of arts and manufactures.
Aix is often referred to as the city of a thousand fountains. Among the more notable are the Fontaine des Quatre Dauphins (Fountain of the Four Dolphins), built in 1667 by Jean-Claude Rambot; Le bon Roi René's Fountain, built in the 19th century, surmounted by a statue of Roi René holding a bunch of Muscat grapes, which he introduced into Provence in the 15th century; the hot-water fountain dating back to 1734, which is covered in moss due to the 35°C (93°F) water; and the great fountain, from 1860, at La Rotonde, the large roundabout at the centre of town.
Museums
Aix contains several museums and galleries:
- Le Musée du Vieil Aix (Museum of Old Aix), which tells of the history
and growth of the city.
- Le Museum d'Histoire Naturelle
- Le Musée de Tapisseries (Tapestry Museum), housed in the Archbishop's
Palace.
- Le Musée Paul Arbaud (Faïence/Pottery)
- Le Musée Granet, next to the Church of Saint John of Malta.
- Le Pavillon de Vendôme, a 17th century mansion housing permanent and touring
art exhibitions.
- La Fondation Vasarely, museum dedicated to the Hungarian-born French Abstract
Painter
(Copyright note: the text above from here is made available under the GNU Free Documentation License)
Aix-en-Provence:tourist information, map, travel plans and gites
|
|
Visit Aix-en-Provence, France
|
P&V holidays, Aix-en-Provence
[Aix-en-Provence] Adagio City Aparthotel Aix Centre: Ideal for visiting the French Riviera; Situated in the heart of Aix-en-Provence; Just 30km from Marseille ; Spacious apartments
|
Map of Aix-en-Provence, France |
Travel, hotels and holiday gites, Aix-en-Provence
See the Visit Aix-en-Provence section above for gites and hotels local to the area. For more general French travel options, see the Gites in France listings, or French holidays for other holidays, and Travel to France for ferries, Aix-en-Provence car-hire, eurotunnel, cheap flights etc.
Places to visit - Aix-en-Provence
- Aix-en-Provence Place
- Lourmarin Most beautiful village
- Marseille Riviera city
Any places listed above are within about 20-25 km (as the crow flies)
Information and photos of Aix-en-Provence, France
This Aix-en-Provence tourism guide, has information and holidays and photos when available. If you have any photos or relevant information please send them to us! Full credit will be given if they are used.
Comments
You can help? Post a relevant comment for visitors to this page!
