Aix en Provence is a city of approximately 140,000 people located twenty miles north of Marseille in southeast France. Aix en Provence enjoys a Mediterranean climate, which means that guests will get to experience at least several of the over 300 days of sunshine every year. It is an undeniable fact that many of the best Aix en Provence attractions come from its wonderful location overlooking the Arc River with the Montagne Sainte-Victoire mountain range to the east, and the Mediterranean breezes continually blowing inland from the sea. Aix en Provence is known for its enviable climate, thermal springs, multitude of fountains, and incredible architecture, and a whole host of other cultural and historic attractions.

Many of the best things to do in Aix en Provence revolve around vibrant art scene in the city. To a certain extent, Aix en Provence is a student city, with a number of universities and institutions that serve as the nerve center of the artistic and cultural environment. You will not only have the pleasure of witnessing the quaint cobblestone roads, ornate fountains, and classic architecture in the city, but also the various art galleries, museums, and cool cafes. You will find things to do in Aix en Provence for everyone in your group. The breathtaking scenery has served as the inspiration for a number of high-profile artists throughout the years, perhaps most notably, Paul Cezanne. To this day tourists can sense the vibrancy of the art culture in the city’s many cultural and artistic attractions.

The Cours Mirabeau is one of the top Aix en Provence attractions. It is a wide, tree-lined street that features gorgeous mansions, ornate fountains, and charming cafes and boutiques. The Cours Mirabeau separates Aix en Provence into two distinct sections, with the new part of town to the southwest, and the old part of town to the north. It is in the latter section that you will find the greatest concentration of mansions, many of which date back to the sixteenth, seventeenth, and eighteenth centuries. The most famous café in the city, the Deux Garcons, is located along the Cours Mirabeau, and is notorious for having been visited by the likes of Paul Cezanne and Ernest Hemingway.

Marseille Map

Paying a visit to the lovely Cathedral of the Holy Saviour (or Cathedrale Saint Sauveur) is another of the most interesting things to do in Aix de Provence. It dominates the area just north of the medieval part of the city and features a wide variety of architectural conventions ranging from the fifth through the seventeenth centuries. The baptistery, archbishop’s palace, and Romanesque cloister are some of the main features of the magnificent interior.

The fountains that line the cobblestone streets are Aix en Provence attractions in and of themselves. You may consider taking time to do a walking tour of the main attractions. This allows you to see many of the best-known fountains, as well as some less known ones along the way. The Quartier Mazarin, the Hotel de Ville, and the Palais de Justice are just a couple more of the attractions that are well worth seeing on your next trip to Aix en Provence.