Beaches of the Cote d'Azur, ski resorts, many attractions, aromatic wine and excellent cuisine. This is just a small list of what awaits a tourist who gets off the plane landing at a French airport.

Introductory information about France

France is made up of many regions, each of which has its own unique history, set of attractions and unique local cuisine. You can relax here both in winter and summer. In the hot season, tourists are welcomed by the Cote d'Azur, and in frosty weather, the resorts of the French Alps invite them. Conventionally, France can be divided into two zones – excursion and resort:

  • The first includes almost the entire Ile-de-France region, the well-known Loire Valley, as well as many cities, among which Paris, Strasbourg, Le Havre, Orleans, Rouen and dozens of others stand out.
  • The leader among beach resorts is the Cote d'Azur, followed by the island of Corsica and the Atlantic coast. In winter they mainly go to the Three Valleys and Portes du Soleil.

Aix en Provence

If you look at the climate map of French cities, you will notice that the climate is mostly temperate-marine. In the eastern regions it gives way to continental, and on the Mediterranean coast - to subtropical. Therefore, the weather varies in the regions - it is better to go to Paris in May or October, and June or September is suitable for visiting the French Riviera.

You can vacation in Corsica from May to October, but in August it will be quite hot. People ski in Alpine resorts starting in November, but the most snow here is in February.

Note! The ideal time for a sightseeing tour of the cities of France is the high season, when all tourists travel to the Cote d'Azur. Yes, the coastal resorts are crowded, but provincial hotels are almost empty, so renting a room will be very easy

By the way, about prices in French cities - the algorithm for their formation defies any logic. And this applies to both real estate and products. Having bought a loaf of bread in one store and going to another one across the street, you can see a completely different price. There is no use in bargaining; this is only possible in the market. But this article will examine the nuances of recreation not throughout the country, but only in one city called Aix-en-Provence (France).

Region Ile-de-France

A few words about hotels in Provence

This city is also simply called Aix (France). Provence is a popular region among tourists, so there are quite a lot of hotels here, but only a few are particularly popular:

  • The true spirit of Provence can be felt at Villa Gallici. There is a real homely feeling here, the service is at the highest level, and the dishes prepared by the chef are beyond all praise. Despite the fact that the hotel is located in the city center, there is no noise or bustle of the city. The cheapest room as of September 2018 costs 300 euros* per night.
  • The best advertisement for Le Pigonnet is its guests. At various times, P. Picasso, L. Kravitz, K. Eastwood and Catherine Deneuve stayed here. There is everything for a luxurious holiday, and the highlight is the huge park. The minimum room price is 150 euros.
  • The art hotel Aparthotel Adagio Aix-en-Provence Center is not as luxurious as the five-star hotels presented above, but it fully deserves its 4 stars. The room here is a fully equipped apartment with a bathroom and a kitchen where you can prepare meals. In the morning, the guest will be offered breakfast. The cost of the apartment is 100 euros.

Note! Another popular art hotel in Aix-en-Provence is the Appart’hotel Odalys Atrium. The cost for one night is 80 euros.

Among other worthy hotels in Provence, the five-star Renaissance Aix-en-Provence and the four-star Les Lodges Sainte-Victoire and Hôtel de Gantès are mentioned.

Five-star Renaissance Aix-en-Provence

Tourist route around the city of Aix-en-Provence

Tourists visiting Aix-en-Provence (France) will be offered several route options for an introductory tour.

  • A number of historical routes.
  • A route related to the life and work of Paul Cézanne and his family.
  • Visit to the mansion, workshop and places where Cezanne painted.
  • Tour of the suburbs of Aix-en-Provence.

Note! The first three routes of the city of Aix-en-Provence can be either on foot or by transport. The latter is carried out only by car.

Aix-en-Provence attractions worth visiting

You should start your walk around Provence from the so-called Old Town, located north of the main square, and Mirabeau Boulevard. Here stands the Church of Sainte-Madeleine, which was painted by Van Lo and Rubens, as well as the preserved façade of the medieval town hall and the Cathedral of Saint Savior, which was painted by Nicolas Froment himself in the 15th century.

Continuing your journey, you should look into the archbishop's palace of Ancier-Archeves, where the Museum of Tapestries created in Beauviers and the Museum of the Old Town are located.

Note! Saint-Jean-de-Malte is the first church in Provence built in the Gothic style. Previously it belonged to the Order of the Hospitallers.

After seeing the sights of the Old Town, you can return to Mirabeau Boulevard, where there is also a lot of interesting things. For example, the creations of the sculptor Pierre-Jean David D’Angers, who lived in the 19th century. Its statue of King René the Good is a real decoration of the square. An equally interesting creation is the Rotunda fountain.

To the south of the boulevard is the Mazaran quarter, where four centuries ago there were elite houses of aristocrats. Going to Place Saint-Jean-de-Malte, you can get to the Granet Museum, where among the many exhibits you can find objects from the city of Entremont - the capital of the Ligurians and paintings by Marius Granet, after whom the museum is named.

Cultural center La Cité du livre

In Cézanne's former workshop there is an Atelier where you can see the tools the master used, as well as unfinished canvases. But the most impressive thing is the atmosphere in the room: it seems that the artist himself will come in now and continue working on his next masterpiece.

Upon completion of the inspection of the workshop, you should look at la Place d’Albertas, after which you can safely go to the unique architectural museum complex, the Vasarely Foundation. The exhibition, assembled by Victor Vasarely, included his own works, thanks to which a new architectural and graphic style was developed.

All lovers of contemporary art should visit the cultural center La Cité du livre of Provence - this is a media complex located in an abandoned but reconstructed match factory. Fans of modern cinema and literature from all over France flock here to discuss new works. In addition, various exhibitions, performances, film screenings, and lectures are held here. In mid-autumn, the traditional festival la Fête du livre is held. But this is not the end of a walk through the sights and interesting places of Aix-en-Provence, because the outskirts of the city remained unexplored, which will be discussed below.

Other places in Aix-en-Provence worth mentioning

There are no less attractions in the vicinity of Aix-en-Provence (France). Among the main ones, the following should be mentioned:

  • Mount Saint-Victoire, which Cézanne called his muse.
  • 14th century castle in Vauvenargues, where Pablo Picasso's grave is located.
  • The 12th century Torone Monastery is located near the city of Kars.
  • Entrecasteaux is a village that seems to have come out of the Middle Ages. The whole of it is a monument to the historical and architectural landscape of the 11th century.

Those wishing to try black truffles should visit the town of Ops, and the Var department welcomes fans of eco-tourism. In a word, Provence has entertainment for every taste, so traveling through its lands is guaranteed to bring a lot of pleasure and unforgettable impressions.


*Prices are current as of October 2018.

When my boyfriend and I discussed our future summer vacation, we didn’t even think about ending up in Aix. We dreamed of the south of France, but we also wanted to get to: walk around the Old Town, taste the well-known bouillabaisse (Marseille fish soup), understand why everyone is crazy about Provençal rose wine. There was no mention of the town of Aix-en-Provence. Moreover, we did not know about the existence of this city at all.

After spending several days in Marseille, we made many acquaintances with local residents. Each of them advised us to visit magical Aix, promising that this town would undoubtedly leave a mark on our hearts.

What first comes to mind when you mention the historical region in southeastern France? Personally, I imagine lavender fields, fragrant herbs and spices, majestic mountains, impressionism, and, of course, magnificent rose.

People from all over the world have always been eager to visit: artists and poets were looking for inspiration and new experiences, gourmets were eager to taste Provencal cuisine, tourists and ardent travelers wanted to take some unforgettable shots in the lavender fields and put a “tick” on the list of countries they had visited. .

The first time we went on vacation was in August, so we could no longer dream of lavender fields. Essentially, lavender blooms from mid-June to early August, but in reality the chances of seeing lavender in the most popular places in late July or early August are virtually non-existent. Every year the climate becomes hotter, and the lavender season becomes shorter.

So, one morning, when there was no longer any sense (and time) to delay, we got ready and went to the central station of Marseille Saint-Charles to take a bus from there and go to Aix-en-Provence. By that time, we already had some idea of ​​the city and dreamed of being on the ancient stone-paved streets, seeing the palaces of the Provençal nobility of the 17th-18th centuries in the Baroque style, walking near the city hall with a Gothic clock tower and, of course, dipping our hands in one of the many fountains that were once able to save the city from the plague!

How to get there?

Aix-en-Provence can be reached by plane, train, bus and car. You won’t be able to get there by water, because the nearest sea is in Marseille (27 km from Aix).

By plane

The nearest international airport is located in Marseille. From there, the bus station (Aix Bus Station), which is just a 5-minute walk from the city center, can be reached by so-called express buses. This trip will take about 30 minutes and will cost 7-9 EUR per person, depending on the age of the passenger (discounts are available for students and young people under the age of 26). Buses run every 15-30 minutes: if you miss one, don't worry - the next one will arrive soon! You can buy a ticket at the ticket office, which is located a couple of steps from the stop, or from the bus driver.

The city can also be reached from the airports of Nimes, Toulon, and Nice.

If I'm not mistaken, there are no regular flights from Moscow to Marseille, but in the summer there are definitely charter flights from Russian cities. You can also find many connecting flights through, or, or, well, or give preference to rail transport.

About purchasing tickets

As seasoned travelers, we take bookings seriously. We never delay and prefer early booking. However, many travelers who like to fly with low-cost airlines (Ryanair, Wizzair) advise buying tickets 2-3 months before the trip. In addition to low-cost airlines, you can look for good options on popular sites, for example. The main thing is to accurately determine the dates, do not delay the purchase, and then you can save a lot.

Marseille Provence Airport

Marseille-Provence International Airport is 27 km from Marseille and 29 km from Aix-en-Provence. There are currently two terminals at the airport. As we understand, one serves large airlines, the second specializes more in low-cost airlines.

The Vitrolles Marseille train station is nearby, but we were never lucky enough to use it. As our French friend, a resident of the town of Mereille (located near Aix-en-Provence), said, townspeople prefer to travel by bus to neighboring cities (both cheaper and, oddly enough, faster, because trains and electric trains make a lot of stops along the way ).

Thus, traveling from Marseille to Aix-en-Provence by train will take about 45 minutes, and by bus – only 28 minutes. Both the bus and the train arrive in the city center, both stations are located next to each other.

A trip by bus will cost only 6 EUR, and by train 8 EUR for passengers over 26 years old, 6 EUR for students and young people under 26 years old. Tickets can also be purchased at the station ticket office or in special terminals that accept cards and cash.

The airport has enough shops, a duty-free zone, several cafes, restaurants and bars. There is a tourist office, a bank, a wireless Internet zone, a first-aid post... However, I strongly advise against staying at the airport overnight - there will be nothing to do there, everything closes until 12 at night. Unfortunately, we had to spend such a night once, and it was an extremely negative experience.

By train

If long distances don't bother you, Aix can also be reached from Paris by train. With high-speed TGV trains, everything has become much easier - the trip will not take more than 3 hours, but it is easier to get to Marseille, and from there to Aix-en-Provence Central Station.

Paris-Marseille trains run frequently, about 5 times a day. Departure from Paris Gare Lyon train station. Websites write that you can find tickets starting from 25 EUR, but you really have to be lucky. It’s more realistic to find a ticket for about 40 EUR one way.

Be careful: regional trains arrive in the center of Aix-en-Provence, but the station serving international routes is located 15 km from the city center! From there, the city center can be reached in 15-20 minutes by shuttle buses, which also run frequently - every 20-30 minutes - and arrive at the Aix Bus Station (5 minutes walk from the city center).

Clue:

Aix-en-Provence - the time is now

Hour difference:

Moscow 2

Kazan 2

Samara 3

Ekaterinburg 4

Novosibirsk 6

Vladivostok 9

When is the season? When is the best time to go

The beauty of Provence is that you can go whenever your heart desires: every season is attractive in its own way. However, most tourists travel to Provence solely to see the lavender fields with their own eyes. What is there to hide, the sight is truly indescribable! At the tourist office you can ask for a special map of the “Lavender Roads” and choose a route to your liking. However, it is worth noting that the undisputed leader in the number of lavender plantations is the Valensole Valley, which, in fact, itself consists of one huge lavender field. But, unfortunately, it is here that lavender can be seen from mid-June and only until mid-July (it approximately blooms until July 15, but it can be harvested even earlier).

Yes, lavender is undoubtedly worth it, but this particular season is “hot” and, accordingly, the most expensive and crowded. Both tickets and housing prices are increasing significantly. In addition, this period is the hottest; daytime temperatures can reach +37 degrees Celsius.

Personally, I prefer to travel in August and September. Yes, you won’t see any lavender, but you will be able to enjoy a milder climate and relatively less crowds. Besides, fig season begins in September, so why not travel? In any case, before your trip you should definitely check the weather forecast so as not to bring extra warm clothes.

Aix-en-Provence in summer

Summer in Aix-en-Provence is hot, and it gets hotter every year. The average temperature during the day is +34 degrees Celsius, in the evening +18.

Aix-en-Provence in autumn

In autumn there is a real Indian summer, which can last until mid-November (daytime temperatures will vary from +15 to +17 degrees Celsius). Many people prefer to come here at this time of year, when there are no tourists and you can enjoy the solitude, feeling like a local resident.

However, in every barrel of honey there is a fly in the ointment. It is in the fall that the period of the mistral begins - a strong and very cold wind. It can last until spring. On days like these, you don’t want to leave the house – it’s scary. Mistral can be so strong that it can uproot trees.

Aix-en-Provence in spring

Many also prefer late spring to travel to Provence. There are not many tourists yet, but the sun is warming with might and main! So if your vacation falls in the spring, you can safely go. The average temperature in March is +15 degrees, and in April and May +20.

Aix-en-Provence in winter

January is the coldest month to visit Aix-en-Provence. However, you will not be overtaken by sub-zero temperatures, which cannot be said about rain. Provence has the highest rainfall in winter.

Clue:

Aix-en-Provence - weather by month

Districts. Where is the best place to live?

Aix-en-Provence is a commune city. When choosing accommodation, it is better to stay in the city center in the so-called Center Ville and its surroundings. If you look at the city on a map, it may not seem so small, but this is only an appearance.

Around the center there are several areas that are essentially “satellite villages” - some of them are actually villages in their own right. You can mention Banon, Maruege, Les Milles. However, it’s unlikely that you’ll be able to rent an apartment there – they simply aren’t there. If you are traveling by car with a large group, you can find many villas or cottages that are not located in the center of Aix, but on the outskirts or even in neighboring villages. But to tell the truth, getting to a supermarket or cafe without a car will be extremely difficult.

In the center it is difficult to make a mistake and rent an apartment in a disadvantaged location. Unlike neighboring Marseille, Aix-en-Provence is a safe city where you can walk around even at night. We rented apartments both in the very center and at a distance from it.

Since the philological and humanities faculties of the largest university in Provence, Aix-Marseille I, are located in the city, there are plenty of students here. Where do students like to spend their free time from studying? That's right, in bars and clubs, of which there is a real abundance in Aix. Be prepared for it to be quite noisy at night, especially if you decide to rent a hotel or apartment in the Old Town. The largest number of bars and restaurants are concentrated in Place Richelme and La place des Cardeurs. But in principle, the entire Old Town will not be quiet in the evenings. If you want peace and quiet, choose any other area of ​​the city.

Personally, we preferred living on the outskirts of the Old Town. And the center is just a stone's throw away, and at night the noise and hubbub from the bars won't wake you up.

The most famous street of Aix-en-Provence - Boulevard Mirabeau (Cours Mirabeau) - divides the city into two parts, and that, in fact, is all the districts. However, it is worth noting that these parts of the city are completely different from each other. On one side there are the streets of the Old Town with a huge number of cafes, restaurants, boutiques, and souvenir shops. It is here that farmers' markets open in the mornings, which in the evenings turn into favorite hangouts among students. On the other side is the pompous Mazarin district. The streets here are wide but not crowded. However, if you go a little deeper, you will notice several majestic mansions of the local nobility, hidden behind lush garden vegetation.

You shouldn’t get hung up on any particular place - anyway, Mirabeau Boulevard and the best restaurants are just a stone’s throw away; a walk in any direction won’t take more than 20 minutes. However, when looking for suitable accommodation, do not forget to pay attention to where the windows face and whether there is a noisy bar nearby.

Despite the fact that Aix-en-Provence is considered a bourgeois town, life in which is much more expensive than life in neighboring Marseille, renting an apartment or apartment here is easier. Probably the whole point is that despite all the charm of Aix, this city is not so popular among tourists.

We always use this service, and I can safely say that you can find many excellent options there for every taste and budget. As for hotels, they are expensive here (on average, a night costs 70-100 EUR), most of them are located in the Old Town.

What are the prices for holidays?

The church is also open from 8 am, and on Sunday you can attend mass. Morning mass begins at 10:30 am, evening mass at 18:00. Entry is also free.

Church of St. Mary Magdalene (Église de la Madeleine)

Address - Place des Prêcheurs, Aix-en-Provence.

It was in this Italian Baroque church that Paul Cézanne was baptized. But this is not the only reason why it’s worth visiting. All art lovers will enjoy the paintings of local artists. Here you can also admire the altar, the ancient organ, and in fact, the entire outer façade of the cathedral looks especially solemn.

The church is currently closed for reconstruction indefinitely.

Museums. Which ones are worth visiting?

Hotel de Caumont – Art Center

The exact address - 3 rue Joseph Cabassol, Aix-en-Provence.

Opening hours in summer (from May to September): from 10 am to 7 pm, in winter (from October to April) – from 10 am to 18 pm.

You can get to the museum's website by clicking on.

New arts center and museum in a private 18th century mansion! I definitely recommend visiting, because an unforgettable day awaits you. You can stroll through the garden, drink coffee and dessert in a cafe, but most importantly, visit a unique exhibition. For example, this summer we were lucky enough to attend a large exhibition of works by William Turner, which ran from May 4, 2016 to September 18, 2016. Ticket prices vary, for example, there is currently an exhibition dedicated to Marilyn Monroe. A full ticket will cost 19 EUR; there is a system of discounts for students and pensioners (ticket price – 16 EUR).

Garnet Museum

Address - Place Saint Jean de Malte, Aix-en-Provence.

The museum is open every day except Monday. Opening hours: from 12.00 to 17.30.
You can access the museum's website by following this link.

The museum is definitely worth a visit for those who are interested in impressionism. In addition to the permanent exhibition, temporary exhibitions are often held there, and they can be absolutely delightful. A single ticket costs 8 EUR and includes the opportunity to visit the neighboring branch, which is a 5-minute walk away - Chapelle Granet XXeme. And this opportunity cannot be missed! It is there that the most interesting works of such masters as Picasso, Monet, Van Gogh, Giacometti, Dubuffet and many others are collected.

Musee du Calisson, Confiserie du Roy Rene

Address - 5380 Route d'Avignon Quartier la Calade RD7N, Aix-en-Provence.


As I mentioned above, calissons are local sweets made from almond flour and dried fruits. It tastes like marzipan. As you can already guess, it is at this factory that real calissons are made. Here you can watch the factory at work, and of course, buy sweets in a specialized store.

What to see in 1 day

Aix-en-Provence is beautiful because almost all of the above attractions can be explored in just 1 day, and without falling off your feet from fatigue. But there is no guarantee that you won’t fall in love with this city and want to spend as much time there as possible!

Start your acquaintance with the square La Rotonde, which is famous for its magnificent fountain in all respects ( Fontaine de la Rotonde).

This fountain is the largest in Aix. This area smoothly transitions into the previously mentioned Boulevard Mirabeau (Cours Mirabeau), along which you can go deep into the Old Town.

It will be wonderful to arrive in Aix early in the morning to attend the morning farmers market(there are several of them in the city, but, on the advice of local residents, I highly recommend the one located on Place Richelme). It’s difficult to leave there without shopping: goat cheese (soft Banon cheese and young cheese made from goat or sheep’s milk Brousse are especially popular), olives marinated in Provençal herbs, fresh bread, salami, two or three bottles of rose wine. Not far from the food market there is often a flower market. You can imagine the aroma there!

Take a walk to City Hall, where the previously mentioned urban town hall with a Gothic clock tower. Pay attention to the figures that are located under the clock and represent the seasons, changing each other depending on the season. Address - Place de l'Hotel de ville, Aix-en-Provence.

Relax on the summer terrace of a cafe and treat yourself to a glass of wine or a refreshing Spritz cocktail, which has become very popular lately. And then, having gained strength, go to a museum or visit the workshop of Paul Cezanne. You will remember this day for a long time!

What to see in the area

Be sure to visit some wine chateau and take part in tastings! Our favorites are:

Food. What to try

Aix-en-Provence is simply famous for its huge number of all kinds of bars, cafes and restaurants. Almost every street in the Old Town is literally “stuffed” with establishments, which are always full of people. It's amazing how such a small town can accommodate so many different places.

Here you can find a place to suit every taste. Local residents prefer traditional French cuisine; visiting French people love to visit this region for the Provençal delicacies that can only be tasted here. There are many cafes in the city with Italian cuisine, and this is what young people love. If all of the above gets boring, you can also find establishments with Japanese, Iranian and even Russian cuisine.

The average cost of dinner in a regular restaurant is 25-40 EUR(depending on whether you take alcohol). Establishments serving Italian cuisine are a little cheaper: aromatic pasta will cost on average 10-15 EUR.

You can have a profitable lunch by giving preference to a set lunch (analogous to a business lunch), which will cost 15-20 EUR. This lunch consists of a first course, a main course and a dessert. Some drinks are often included in the price.

Budget

  1. Le Bouche a Oreille, 1 rue Aumone Vieille.
  2. Aux Petits Oignons, 2 rue Peyresc.
  3. Via Italia, 4 rue d Italie.
  4. Piacere Little Italy, 4 rue de la Couronne.
  5. Crepes cidre et compagnie, 23 Rue de Lacepede.

Mid-level

  1. Le 18, 18 Rue Boulegon.
  2. La Table des Delices de Sebastien, 57 avenue Maurice Plantier.
  3. Le Contrepoint, 15 rue Constantin.
  4. Le Patio, 16 rue victor leydet.
  5. Hue Cocotte, 9 Place Ramus.
  6. Marasino, 2 B avenue Victor Hugo.

Expensive

  1. Mitch, 26 rue des Tanneurs.
  2. La Chimere Cafe, 15 rue Brueys.
  3. Le Millefeuille, 8 rue Rifle Rafle.
  4. L'Opera, 18 rue Fermee.
  5. Le Formal – Caves Henri IV, 32 rue Espariat.
  6. L'epicurien Restaurant, 13 Forum des Cardeurs.

Holidays

You will be very lucky if your trip falls between June 30 and July 20. At this time, the annual Aix-en-Provencal Opera Festival takes place, which is one of the most famous in the world. All information about this event can be found.

In general, something happens in Provence almost every month. In December you can visit the olive oil festival, in January - the Saint-Clair festival, when roasted piglets will be sold in the markets. February is known for the mimosa festival and the festival of sea urchins and other sea creatures. In March, you can visit and attend the Babel Med music festival. Holidays of strawberries, cherries, asparagus - what did the Provencals come up with so as not to get bored! It is impossible to list everything.

If you decide to spend several days or weeks in Aix or its surroundings, you should definitely contact the local tourist office, which is located at 300 avenue Giuseppe Verdi, Les allées provençales. There they will definitely tell you about upcoming events. Office website.

Things to do

Shopping and shops

In terms of shopping, this city can be called a real find for fans of fashion brands and for lovers of vintage and antiques. Here you will find Louis Vuitton and Moschino, Agnès B and Loft boutiques. At L’Atelier you can try on new items from Chloé and choose some accessories from Vivienne Westwood. Be sure to check out the First boutique, where Dolce & Gabbana, Prada and Dior await you.

As for the mass market, in Aix you can also find the well-known and beloved Zara and H&M, however, compared to the large shopping centers of Marseille, the choice is quite limited.

Please note that you are unlikely to be able to wander around the shops on Sunday - almost all of them will be closed.

In Aix-en-Provence you can find some interesting things at flea markets and antique shops. Lovers of wonders and rarities come here not only from all over France, but from all corners of the planet.

Don't forget about the previously mentioned farmers' and flower markets, which take place simultaneously in several squares of the city.

Bars. Where to go

Aix has a vibrant nightlife and many bars. Particularly popular are wine bars, tapas bars and, oddly enough, Irish pubs, which somehow do not fit in with a bohemian bourgeois town.

The following places are worth noting:

  1. Happy Days Cafe, 1 Rue Mejanes.
    A very interesting place. Cocktail bar by day, gay bar by night. Yes, yes, a real gay bar in the center of Aix-en-Provence! The bartender of this establishment told us about this, who clarified that all the most interesting parties take place on Fridays and Saturdays, starting from 1 am until the morning! Although according to the official version the bar closes at 2 am. Prices are average and below average. During happy hour - from 15.00 to 18.00 - you can grab a glass of wine or a Spritz cocktail at attractive prices. A glass of wine will cost 3-4 EUR, a cocktail – 6 EUR.
  2. Le Brigand, 17 place Richelme.
    Students say this is the best beer bar in the whole city. The establishment is open from 10 am to 2 am. Prices are below average.
  3. Pub O'Sullivan's, Place des Augustins (Rue Espariat).
    A real Irish pub – Guinness and Kilkenny are flowing! You can also order some snacks, but you won't find anything substantial here.
    Opening hours: from 11 am to 2 am, on Sunday until 12 am. Prices are average and below average.
  4. Le Cintra, 14 Place Jeanne D Arc.
    Oysters, mussels and cool wine are what awaits you in this truly French place. Open 24 hours a day! Prices are above average.
  5. L'Amoroso, 8 rue Aimeric David.
    Operates like a regular Italian restaurant, but with a top-notch wine and cocktail list. This is the place to start your evening. Prices are above average.

How to get around the city

Getting around the city is very easy; we almost never used public transport (although everything is fine here). Ex is the kind of city where you want to endlessly walk, get lost, and turn into previously unknown cobbled streets. However, if you decide to rent a villa, which is located far enough from the city center (about 5 km), it will be difficult without a car. We rented a car several times for a couple of days to go to some chateau for a bottle of wine and go for a picnic to Mount Sainte-Victoire. But in fact, you don’t need a car to move around the city - you don’t have to waste time looking for parking spaces and save money on it. As a rule, parking in France is paid. You can find your way around car rental prices.

A great idea would be to rent a bike! And it’s possible to cover the distance to the chateau, and the physical activity won’t be unnecessary. You have to put the gained kilograms somewhere.
I recommend this company. You can also contact.

Buses

There is no metro or tram in Aix. Everyone gets around either on foot, by car, or by bus.

You can buy a ticket for one trip from the driver, or take care of it in advance and purchase a “pre-paid pass” - this is cheaper. You can buy such a pass at the ticket office of the bus station. Since we have never used buses, and the cost of the ticket varies depending on where you are going, I will not provide exact information on this matter. But all the details can be found on booking sites! Don't overpay. This !

Rent a Car- also an aggregation of prices from all rental companies, all in one place, let's go!

Anything to add?

French city of Aix-en-Provence (Provence region)

If it weren’t for the huge Marseille nearby, just 25 kilometers away, the French city of Aix-en-Provence would dominate the entire Central Provence.

Historically, culturally and socially, the two cities are very different from each other, and usually those who love one hate the other. The city of Aix-en-Provence is smugly conservative and stunningly beautiful.

The wealthy part of its population are landowners and people of liberal professions. The youth of Aix dress impeccably. Hundreds of students from other countries, in particular Americans, come to study in the city, and the city's residents are distinguished by snobbery of an almost Parisian level.

From the 12th century until the revolution, Aix-en-Provence was the capital of Provence. At a time when Provence was an independent county, its beloved ruler, the “good” King René of Anjou (1409-1480), maintained a brilliant court, famous for its popular festivals and patronage of the arts.

René was a typical Renaissance man, he spoke many languages ​​(including Greek and Hebrew), was a scientist, poet and economist. It was he who began to grow Muscat grapes in Provence. Today in the city there is a stone statue of him, made in the style of illustrations from medieval books. Holding a bunch of grapes in his left hand, he looks along the majestic Boulevard Mirabeau, created in the 17th century.

Arrival, city information and accommodation in Aix-en-Provence

The main point of arrival in the city is the Place General de Gaulle (place General-de-Gaulle), or La Rotonda, with several fountains, which ends in the west the main artery of Aix: the boulevard Mirabeau (cours Mirabeau), laid out on the site of the old fortifications on its southern side.

The train station is on Rue Gustavo-Desplace at the end of Avenue Vicyor-Hugo, leading south from Place General de Gaulle, and the bus station is on Avenue de l'Europe at the end of Avenue de l'Europe ). The new TGV station is located 10 kilometers southwest of Aix and is connected by regular shuttle bus services to the bus station (every 30 minutes: daily 4.45-22.30, €3.70).

Driving into Aix-en-Provence, it's easy to get lost. It is best to follow the gare signs to the station, and after passing the station, follow the avenue des Belges, which will lead to the tourist office in the city center (2 place General-de-Gaulle) between the avenues Belge and Victor Hugo, where there is a parking lot on the ring road surrounding the Old Town. From mid-June to the end of July (festival time) the chances of finding a free room in hotel very small if you don't booked him, at least two months before the actual arrival. At other times there are much more opportunities.

    Aix-en-Provence Hotels

1). Hotel Des Arts– A very friendly, although a little noisy, hotel with the cheapest rooms you can find in the center. There are no advance reservations, so arrive early. Hotel address: 69 bd Carnot;

2). Hotel Le Caravella– More expensive rooms face the courtyard gardens. Hotel address: 29 bd Roi-Rene;

3). Hotel Cardinal– Clean, calm and welcoming hotel, but expensive. Hotel address: 22-24 rue Cardinale;

4). Hotel De France– In the very center and with very comfortable rooms. Hotel address: 63 rue Espriat;

5). Hotel Le Manoir– A very elegant and comfortable old building with a covered gallery from the 14th century. Hotel address: 8 rue d'Entrecasteaux;

6). Number One Hotel– A small family hotel about a kilometer from the city center. One of the most inexpensive hotels in all of Aix-en-Provence. Hotel address: 10 cours des Minimes;

7). Hotel Paul– Inexpensive for Aix and with a garden. The rooms have a shower and telephone. There are three and four-bed rooms. Hotel address: 10 avenue Pasteur;

8). Hotel Des Quatre-Dauphins– Old world charm in the Mazarin quarter. Hotel address: 54 rue Roux-Alpheran;

9). Hotel St-Christophe– A hotel with a high level of services close to both train stations and Boulevard Mirabeau. Hotel address: 2 avenue Victor-Hugo.

    Hostels and campsites in Aix-en-Provence

1). Airotel Camping Chanteclere– Three kilometers from the center. Excellent amenities. Open: all year. Camping address: Rte de Nice, Val St-Andre, buses no. 3 or 10, same prices;

2). Camping Arc-en-Ciel– Also three kilometers from the city center to the southeast. Not a very cheap campsite, but has very good facilities. Closed: October-March. Camping address: Rte de Nice, Pont de Trois Sautets, bus number 3;

3). Crous– (Centre Regional des Oeuvres Universitaires et Scolaires / Regional Center for Students and Schoolchildren’s Creativity). This student organization can sometimes find cheap rooms on campus during July and August. Bus number 5 direction “Belle-Ormeaux”, stop “Pierre-Puget”. Address wtynhf: Cite Universitaire des Gazellez, 38 avenue Jules-Ferry;

4). Holiday Inn Hostel (Hi)– Located 2 kilometers west of the city center and has good bedrooms (nightly accommodation €17). There are no kitchens, but there is a TV lounge, bar, laundry room, storage room and several double rooms. Closed: Christmas-February. Hostel address: 3 avenue Marcel-Pagnol. Bus number 4 direction "Ozhas-de-Buffan", stop "Vasarely".

Sights of Aix-en-Provence

The whole of old Aix (old city Aix), clearly delineated by a ring of boulevards, including the majestic Boulevard Mirabeau, is one large monument, much more significant than any individual building or museum within it. There are so many lively streets, tempting restaurants, cafes and shops and the best markets in Provence, that you can wander around it for many days, without having either a specific route or a specific goal. As a preliminary acquaintance with the life of Aix, it is absolutely necessary to take a walk along the Boulevard Mirabeau with stops at cafes.

    Old Ex

To explore the tangle of small streets and narrow roads that make up the heart of Aix, head north from the tree-lined Boulevard Mirabeau anywhere within the ring of wide streets called avenue, cours or boulevard (although "boulevard" may not be a boulevard). . The layout of Old Aix makes it difficult to navigate, but this does not matter when every 50 meters there are squares with fountains where you can relax, and all around there is a continuous architectural feast of the 16th-17th centuries.

On Saturdays and, to a lesser extent, on Tuesdays and Thursdays, the center is filled with markets: fruits and vegetables on Place Richelme, fish on the street Marseille, flowers on the Place de la Hôtel de Ville, clothes on the streets of Peyrecs, Rifle-Rafle, Bouteilles, Chaudronniers and Monclar, flea market on Place de Verdun Verun) and provisions at Place des Precheurs and Place de la Madelein.

The Church of the Madeleine features paintings by Rubens and Vanloo (who was born in Aix in 1684) and a medieval triptych of the Annunciation. In Place Richelme, above the architrave of the former grain exchange, which today houses the post office, hangs the graceful, albeit rather massive, foot of the goddess Cybele, flirting with Rhone (Rhône is masculine in French). Just to the north rises the town hall of classical proportions with wrought iron lace above the entrance.

From Place de Hotel-de-Ville, rue Gaston-de-Saporta will lead you to the cathedral Cathedral of the Holy Savior(Cathedrale Saint-Sauveur), a conglomerate of buildings from the 15th and 16th centuries, full of treasures of medieval art. The best of them is the triptych “The Burning Bush,” which was commissioned by King Rene in 1475. The sacristan regularly opens its side panels, revealing to the viewer the Virgin Mary and Child in a burning bush.

Next to the cathedral on the Place de la Resistance stands the former episcopal palace (Ancien Archeveche), which today houses Tapestry Museum(Musee des Tapisseries) - an excellent collection, including a modern section in which the concept of "tapestry" is expanded to also include products made from rope, raffia or feathers. The Museum of Old Aix (Musee du Vieil Aix; 17 rue Gaston-de-Saporta) is also worth visiting, which displays sets of iconic puppets and a large collection of santons (santons - Provençal Christmas figurines).

    Mazarin Quarter

Aix's other important museums are located in the quartier Mazarin, south of the boulevard Mirabeau. The most interesting of them, Granet Museum(Musee Granet; place St-Jean-de-Malte), located on Place Saint-Jean-de-Malte (St. John of Malta). It displays works of art and archaeological finds, in particular from Oppidum d'Entremont, a Celtic-Ligurian settlement 3 kilometers north of Aix.

It flourished for about 100 years, until in 124 BC it was defeated by the Romans, who founded the city of Aquae Sextae, the future Aix-en-Provence. The collection of paintings in the museum is quite varied - works by Italians, Dutch, French, mainly from the 17th to 19th centuries, not very well hung and poorly lit.

A number of French paintings from the 18th and early 19th centuries, including Ingres' repulsive Jupiter and Thetis, are mostly terrible, although Ingres's portrait of Granet is worthy of attention. Finally, here you can see the works of Aix's most famous artist, Paul Cézanne, who studied on the ground floor of this building, which was then an art school. The museum has two of his student works and a number of small paintings, including Bathsheba and Portrait of a Lady.

    Outside the center

Cézanne worked in many studios in and around Aix, but finally in 1902 he acquired a house built specifically as a studio and overlooking Aix to the north. Today it is Atelier Cezanne (9 avenue Paul-Cesanne). It was here that he wrote some of his best work. Everything here remains the same as it was in 1906, when he died: a coat, a hat, a glass and an easel, objects that he loved to depict, his pipe and several letters and drawings... The atmosphere in which he worked has been preserved here.

The center of the city's public cultural life is the City of Books (Cite du livre; 8-10 rue des Allumettes), which occupies a former match factory (not far from the tourist office), the entrance to which is decorated in the form of rows of giant books, as if standing on a shelf. It houses libraries, a cinema hall, a theater hall, a video library of lyrical arts (where almost all French opera performances are presented) and various exhibitions. Away from the sometimes tiresome grandeur of Aix in the 17th century, you can get a completely different visual and abstract experience by visiting the Vasarely Foundation (Fondation asarely; avenue Marcel-Pagnol, Jas-de-Bouffan, 4 kilometers west of the city).

Here, in countless display cases, images relating to all the themes of the work of the architect and artist Vasarely are presented, including his designs for residential buildings. However, you will get the most direct impression of the work of this extraordinary man in the seven hexagonal rooms on the ground floor, each of which presents six large projects. Finally, 3 kilometers north of the city is the Oppidum d'Entremont - excavations of a Gallic settlement that preceded the founding of the city and arose more than 200 years before the Roman conquest. There are remains of the impressively located fortifications, as well as the residential and commercial areas of the city.

Where to eat and drink, things to do in Aix-en-Provence

Ex is literally “stuffed” restaurants of all price points and ethnicities. Place des Cardeurs, northwest of Place de Hotel de Ville, is lined with tables from restaurants, brasserie and cafe, and Rue Verrerie, south of Place Hôtel de Ville and Place Ramus, is home to many Indian, Chinese and North African restaurants. For people on a modest budget, Tanneurs Street is good. The café-brasserie on Boulevard Mirabeau is worth a visit, including inexpensive eateries. There you can also find sellers of very tasty fresh fruit juices.

    Cafes and restaurants in Aix-en-Provence

1). Restaurant L'Amphitryon– Eclectic cuisine based on fresh market ingredients. Meals are served on the flower-lined terrace in the Old Town. A wonderful and not very expensive restaurant. Set of dishes from 26 €. Closed: Sundays and Mondays, as well as in the second half of August. Restaurant address: 2-4 rue Paul Doumer;

2). Restaurant De l`Archeveche– During the day, good pasta dishes and salads are served for less than 10 €. Restaurant address: Place des Martyrs-de-la-Resistance;

3). Restaurant Le Basilic Gourmand– Classic Provençal food. A3 la carte from 14 €. Live music. Closed: Sundays and Mondays. Restaurant address: 6 rue du Griffon;

4). Restaurant Le Bistrot Latin– The best dishes are profiteroles with snails in olive and honey sauce and rabbit in garlic sauce. Lunch menu 15.00 €, evening set of dishes from 21 €. Closed: Saturdays, Sundays and Mondays, and for lunch out of season. Restaurant address: 18 rue Couronne;

5). Cay Tam Restaurant– Best East Asian cuisine in Aix. The menu is based on Vietnamese dishes. Set of dishes from 15.50 €. Closed: Mondays and Tuesdays, and for lunch on Wednesdays and Fridays. Restaurant address: 29 rue Verrerie;

6). Restaurant Le Chimere– A new twist on French standards and possibly the only place in town that serves kangaroo. Set of dishes about 26.50 €. Closed: Sundays. Restaurant address: 15 rue Brueys;

7). Restaurant Le Clos de la Violette– The most famous restaurant in Aix, the names of the dishes may sound a little scary, for example stuffed lamb hooves, but in fact these dishes are true gastronomic masterpieces. Desserts are more openly appealing: clafoutis (plum pie), pistachios with peach sauce and tartines with melted chocolate. Lunch menu 54 €, other sets of dishes from 107 €, a la carte from 75 €. Closed: Mondays and Wednesdays for lunch, and for two weeks in mid-August. Restaurant address: 10 avenue de la Violette;

8). Cafe Les Deux Garcons– Once a favorite place of Albert Camus, decorated in the style of decadence of the 1900s and still attracting a colorful society of intellectuals. Good brasserie type food, but not cheap (from 27.80 €). Open: daily until midnight. Cafe address: 53 cours Mirabeau;

9). Cafe L'Hacienda– Outdoor seating and inexpensive lunch menu (9 €), including wine. Closed: Sundays. Cafe address: Corner of rue Merindol and place Cardeur;

10). Cafe Le Jasmin– Delicious and distinctive Persian dishes for about 16.50 €. As for desserts, you should try the traditional Iranian choleh zard - a rice dish with saffron, spices and nuts. Closed: Sundays. Cafe address: 6 rue de la Fonderie;

11). Cafe Kheops– Egyptian cuisine including falafel, stuffed pigeons and rich dairy desserts. Set of dishes 10 €. Closed: Wednesdays for lunch. Cafe address: 28 rue de la Verrerie;

12). Pizza Chez Jo/Bar des Augustins– Thanks to pizza and traditional daily specials, it’s usually crowded. From 12 €. Closed: Sundays. Restaurant address: Place des Augustins;

13). Le Platanos establishment– A very cheap and popular Greek place with a lunch menu for 10 €. Closed: Sundays and Mondays. Address of the establishment: 13 rue Rifle-Rafle.

Nightlife and festivals in Aix-en-Provence

The best jazz clubs are Hot Brass (chemin de la Plaine-des-Verguetiers, rte d'eguilles-Celony) and Le Scat (11 rue de la Verrerie) with jazz, rock and funk music. Disco mainstream - in Le Richelme (24 rue de la Verrerie). Pubs with live music – Le Manoir (25 rue de la Verrerie), Pago (38 rue de la Verrerie), Pub Solferino (place d’Armenie) and Le Festival (67 bis rue Espariat).

During the annual Aix en Music (rock, jazz, experimental and classical music; June) and Festival International d'Art Lyrique (opera and classical music concerts; last two weeks of July) alternative stages - street theatres, rock concerts and impromptu gatherings - turn the whole of Old Ax into one continuous party.

Ticket prices for festival events range from 12 to 185 euros. You can purchase tickets and programs from the Official Festival Committee (Comite Officiel des Fetes; Espace Forbin, 3 place John-Rewald) near Boulevard Gambetta. There you can also find out details about the International Dance Festival (two weeks in mid-July).

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Aix-en-Provence is a charming aristocratic town in the south of France, in the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region, located between Marseille and the Luberon mountains, among healing thermal springs. For many centuries, it was and still remains the cultural center of Provence with a huge number of festivals held here. With one of France's oldest universities and the European Academy of Music, the city is bustling with students and has the feel of a vibrant creative laboratory. The special charm of Aix-en-Provence is added by medieval stone-paved streets, luxurious palaces of the Provençal nobility, made in the Italian Baroque style of the 17th-18th centuries, elegant facades of ancient estates with sophisticated openwork wrought-iron balconies and a huge variety of fountains. This southern French town is considered the center of antiques in Provence: at local flea markets and numerous antique shops, collectors and antique lovers from all over the world are constantly “rummaging” in search of relics.

The balneological resorts of Aix-en-Provence, located in the Arc River valley, at an altitude of 175 meters above sea level, are also popular. Warm healing springs were discovered in this region by the Romans, and until today, calcium bicarbonate waters with a temperature of about 36°C are used for both bathing and drinking, as an auxiliary treatment for diseases of the cardiovascular, excretory and musculoskeletal systems. Spa treatments with healing waters are offered not only in country health centers, but also in some hotels in the city itself.


  • Area: 186 km²;
  • Time zone: UTC+1, summer UTC+2;
  • Population: 141,200.

How to get to the city

You can get to Aix-en-Provence from Marseille - this is where the nearest international airport is located, from which express buses regularly run to the city. There is also a train connection with the capital of France - a trip on a high-speed train from Paris to Aix-en-Provence will take about 3 hours.

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