Aix en Provence

 Aix - historic capital of Provence 

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Aix-en-Provence: A Timeless Blend of History, Art, and Natural Beauty Nestled in the heart of Provence, Aix-en-Provence is a picturesque university town renowned for its rich history, warm Mediterranean architecture, and vibrant cultural scene. Known as the "City of a Thousand Fountains," Aix-en-Provence was the first town in France to be officially recognised as an Art and History town (Ville d'Art et d'Histoire) back in 1985. With less outstanding monuments or museums than many other French cities, Aix is a place to be enjoyed all year round in its own right – for its atmosphere, its old streets, old houses,  fountains, markets and charming squares.

A short History of Aix en Provence

 

  Aix-en-Provence’s roots stretch back to Roman times, when it was founded as a thermal spa town under the name Aquae Sextiae in 122 BC. Over time, the Latin name evolved into Aquas, and later into Aix.... meaning just "waters".  In the year 1189, the counts of Provence moved their capital to Aix, giving it a status which it retained until the French Revolution. Since then, the regional capital has been the much larger city of Marseilles, on the coast 30 km to the south.

However Aix can claim to have remained Provence's cultural capital. Its university, founded by Pope Benedict XIII in 1409, is one of the oldest in France, though merged in 1969 with other institutes in Marseilles to create the modern university of Aix-Marseille. To this day, Aix remains the judicial capital of Provence, seat of the Provence regional court of appeal. Throughout the centuries, Aix has been a centre of learning, home at times to philosopher René Descartes, and to writers including Emile Zola, Frédéric Mistral, and Alphonse Daudet.

The Heart of Aix

Aix-en-Provence is best explored on foot, especially in its  Old Town, with its narrow streets, beautiful courtyards, and historic squares. The Cours Mirabeau, lined with grand buildings, shaded by plane trees, and adorned with fountains, is the town's main thoroughfare, and one of France' emblematic streets. In a street nearby stands the Fountain of the Four Dolphins, symbolising the fundamental importance of water in this historic spa town. Fountains are everywhere, in the small squares and on the corners of buildings, providing a welcoming freshness in the warmth of the Provençal summer.

Aix and art

Aix-en-Provence is closely associated with the painter Paul Cézanne, who was born here and found much inspiration in its landscapes. The Paul Cézanne Studio and the Mont-Saint-Victoire, the mountain that features prominently in many of his works, are pilgrimage points for artists and art lovers.

Sites and monuments in Aix en Provence

Musée Granet: This has one of the finest collections of classical and modern art in France outside Paris, including works by Rembrandt, Ingres, Cézanne, Van Gogh,  Picasso, Dufy, Dubuffet, and many others

The Cours Mirabeau: shaded by ancient plane trees, Aix's main thoroughfare, le Cours Mirabeau, is one of the emblematic city streets of southern France.

The old city: Old Aix is a historic architectural ensemble built in the local honey-coloured sandstone. Explore the narrow streets, and discover one of Europe's finest collection of Baroque town houses from past centuries. The Place des Cardeurs is a very attractive square, with its lively cafés and galleries.

Cathédrale Saint Sauveur: Cathedrals in the south of France are generally much smaller than the great cathedrals of the north, and St. Saviour's Cathedral in Aix is no exception. A first church was built here in the fifth century, but today's cathedral is the result of much rebuilding in different styles, from Romanesque to Baroque. Of greatest interest is the octagonal baptistry, in late Roman style, with marble columns dating back to the fifth century.

Cloisters of Saint Sauveur: Next to the cathedral, the cloisters, built in 1190, are a fine example of Provençal Romanesque architecture

While in Aix-en-Provence, take the opportunity to explore the surrounding region:

• Mont Saint Victoire - just outside Aix, the emblematic mountain indissociable with the paintings of Cézanne. Hiking, biking.
• Marseilles (35 km):France's greatest Mediterranean seaport, with many museums and sites of interest.

• Luberon (45 km): A scenic area known for its hilltop villages, lavender fields, and vineyards. It's a perfect day trip for those looking to experience the essence of rural Provence.
• Avignon (80 km): A UNESCO World Heritage city famous for the Palais des Papes, city walls, and the Pont Saint-Bénézet, as well as its vibrant arts scene.
• Cassis (55 km): A picturesque coastal town with stunning cliffs and calanques (narrow inlets) , ideal for a day beside the Mediterranean.

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