Aix-en-Provence

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Aix-en-Provence Travel Guide

Travel Author

Stig Albeck

City Map

City Introduction

Aix-en-Provence is a city in the south of France that exudes a Provencal atmosphere. In the small streets, one picturesque scene unfolds after another. Old mansions and churches, the shade under the many plane trees, cozy squares and all the city’s fountains are just some of the things that quickly impress you. Aix-en-Provence is also known as the hometown of the painter Paul Cezanne, and in many streets in the center you can see some metal plates in the pavement, all marked with a large “C”. They show the way through the city that Cézanne with his works could have walked.

The street Le Cours Mirabeau is Aix-en-Provence’s grand street. It was laid out in 1649, and you can walk along it in the shade of the plane trees. The buildings along Le Cours Mirabeau mainly date from the 1600s and 1700s, and you can notice the mansions Hôtel de Villars from 1710, Hôtel Isoard de Vauvenargues from 1710, Hôtel d’Arbaud-Jouques from 1730 and Hôtel Forbin from 1656. In the middle of the street there are three fountains. From the Place de la Rotunde, it is La Fontaine de Neuf Canons from 1691, La Fontaine d’Eau Chaude from 1734 and La Fontaine du Roi René from 1819. The large fountain at Place de la Rotunde was constructed in 1860 and its figures symbolize justice, agriculture and art.

In the city center you should also visit and enjoy the lovely town hall square, Place de l’Hôtel de Ville. Here is the city’s beautiful town hall, which was built 1655-1670. The facade is in Italian style, and the building contains a fine inner courtyard. In the square you can also see the clock tower with an astronomical clock from 1661, where figures emerge and symbolize the four seasons. To the south on the Place de l’Hôtel de Ville is Aix-en-Provence’s old granary, the Halle aux Grains, which was the city’s grain exchange. The beautiful building was built in the years 1717-1765, and on top of the stock exchange building you can see a statue symbolizing the rivers Rhône and Durance. Close to this is the city’s courthouse, one of the most striking buildings in the center. It was completed in 1832 on the site where the dukes’ palace in the city previously stood.

You can walk to the city’s cathedral as well. It is the Cathédrale St-Sauveur, which is a building that somehow depicts the history of Aix-en-Provence. The cathedral was founded by the Romans in the fourth century and built on the old site of the Roman Forum. Since then, it was expanded during the Merovingian era, extended with a monastery in the 12th century and finally completed in the 17th century with renovations until the 19th century. Aix-en-Provence is also home to Le Musée Granet, a museum housed in monastic buildings that formerly belonged to the Knights of Malta. The museum is named after the Provençal painter Granet, but it is best known as the place in Aix-en-Provence where you can see the works of city native Paul Cézanne.

Other Attractions

Day Trips

Marseille, France

Marseille

Marseille is a city with a great history and the sights of the southern metropolis in France are centered around the old port of the city, which was a natural place for Greek colonists. They built their first city in the area right here. It was around 600 BC, and since then several other Mediterranean cultures have influenced the city’s development.

The history of Marseille and influencing cultures can be seen at the MuCEM Museum, which was established close to some of the major fortifications at the port entrance. Fort Saint-Jean and Fort Saint-Nicolas are opposite each other as symbols of the French royal power which established the fortifications to control the rebel city which has since given its name to the French national anthem; La Marseillaise.

More about Marseille

 

Avignon, France

Avignon

Avignon is one of the most visited cities in Southern France. Its location is at a historically important strategic place in the Rhône valley, which was already inhabited by Celts. It was also important in the Roman Empire, and in the 12th century, Avignon declared itself an independent republic. This lasted until 1226, when the city became subject to France for a time. The development got an extra boost when the Pope moved his residence here in 1309, making Avignon the central city of the Christian world.

More about Avignon

 

Toulon, France

Toulon

Toulon is one of the larger cities along the French Mediterranean coast, and the area has been inhabited by Greek colonists since the 6th century BC. Over time, the city has developed strongly, and became part of France in 1486 together with the region of Provence. Eight years later, King Charles VIII initiated the construction of the naval port that is still home to Toulon. In 1524, Toulon’s harbor was strengthened with the construction of the Tour Royale fortress, and throughout the 16th century there were continuous battles in and around the city.

More about Toulon

Geolocation

In short

Aix-en-Provence, France Aix-en-Provence, France[/caption]

Overview of Aix-en-Provence

Aix-en-Provence is a city in the south of France that exudes a Provencal atmosphere. In the small streets, one picturesque scene unfolds after another. Old mansions and churches, the shade under the many plane trees, cozy squares and all the city’s fountains are just some of the things that quickly impress you. Aix-en-Provence is also known as the hometown of the painter Paul Cezanne, and in many streets in the center you can see some metal plates in the pavement, all marked with a large “C”. They show the way through the city that Cézanne with his works could have walked.

The street Le Cours Mirabeau is Aix-en-Provence’s grand street. It was laid out in 1649, and you can walk along it in the shade of the plane trees. The buildings along Le Cours Mirabeau mainly date from the 1600s and 1700s, and you can notice the mansions Hôtel de Villars from 1710, Hôtel Isoard de Vauvenargues from 1710, Hôtel d’Arbaud-Jouques from 1730 and Hôtel Forbin from 1656. In the middle of the street there are three fountains. From the Place de la Rotunde, it is La Fontaine de Neuf Canons from 1691, La Fontaine d’Eau Chaude from 1734 and La Fontaine du Roi René from 1819. The large fountain at Place de la Rotunde was constructed in 1860 and its figures symbolize justice, agriculture and art.

In the city center you should also visit and enjoy the lovely town hall square, Place de l’Hôtel de Ville. Here is the city’s beautiful town hall, which was built 1655-1670. The facade is in Italian style, and the building contains a fine inner courtyard. In the square you can also see the clock tower with an astronomical clock from 1661, where figures emerge and symbolize the four seasons.

About the Aix-en-Provence travel guide

Contents: Tours in the city + tours in the surrounding area
Published: Released soon
Author: Stig Albeck
Publisher: Vamados.com
Language: English

About the travel guide

The Aix-en-Provence travel guide gives you an overview of the sights and activities of the French city. Read about top sights and other sights, and get a tour guide with tour suggestions and detailed descriptions of all the city’s most important churches, monuments, mansions, museums, etc.

Aix-en-Provence is waiting for you, and at vamados.com you can also find cheap flights and great deals on hotels for your trip. You just select your travel dates and then you get flight and accommodation suggestions in and around the city.

Read more about Aix-en-Provence and France

France Travel Guide: https://vamados.com/france
City tourism: https://visitaixen-pro-vence.fr
Main Page: https://www.vamados.com/

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Click the “Add to Cart” button to purchase the travel guide. After that you will come to the payment, where you enter the purchase and payment information. Upon payment of the travel guide, you will immediately receive a receipt with a link to download your purchase. You can download the travel guide immediately or use the download link in the email later.

Use the travel guide

When you buy the travel guide to Aix-en-Provence you get the book online so you can have it on your phone, tablet or computer – and of course you can choose to print it. Use the maps and tour suggestions and you will have a good and content-rich journey.

Travel Expert

Stig Albeck

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