Things to see in Aix en Provence
Attractions
Aix-en-Provence Markets
Every day you can find a market in central Aix. The largest food market is held in Place des Prêcheurs on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday mornings. Local producers pitch up in Place Richelme near Place d'Hotel de Ville, which is where you'll find flower stalls on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays, as well as bric-a-brac in Place Verdun.
Address: , , Aix-en-Provence,Telephone:
Opening times:
Generally 0800-1300, days vary.
Website:Admission Fees:
No
Disabled Access: NoUNESCO: No
Fondation Vasarely (Vasarely Foundation)
A striking structure located just outside Aix in the Jas de Bouffan, the Vasarely Foundation was founded by Victor Vasarely in 1976 to promote the integration of art in architecture. It covers the evolution of the work of the artist, who initially used only black and white before becoming more colourful in the 1960s.
Address: Jas de Bouffan, 1 avenue Marcel Pagnol, Aix-en-Provence,Telephone: +33 4 42 20 01 09.
Opening times:
Tues-Sun 1000-1800.
Website: http://www.fondationvasarely.frAdmission Fees:
Yes
Disabled Access: NoUNESCO: No
Hotel de Ville
The Hotel de Ville is a striking 17th-century building with classical and Italian-style decorations. It has a beautiful wrought-iron entrance and is richly decorated with woodwork and tapestries. It also has a 16th-century clock tower. The hotel overlooks a pretty square, which is home to an 18th-century corn exchange (Halle des Grains).
Address: , Place de l'Hotel de Ville, Aix-en-Provence,Telephone: +33 4 42 91 90 00.
Opening times:
Mon-Fri 0800-1900 and 0800-1200 Sat.
Website: http://www.aixenprovence.fr/Hotel-de-VilleAdmission Fees:
No
Disabled Access: NoUNESCO: No
Le Musée Granet (Granet Museum)
One of the region's best museums features works by French painters from the 16th and 17th centuries, as well as Dutch, Flemish and Italian artists. The museum was expanded with the restoration of the Chapelle des Pénitents Blancs, 200 metre/yards away. It holds some 300 artworks from artists including Renoir, Monet, Van Gogh, Degas and Picasso.
Address: , Place Saint-Jean de Malte, Aix-en-Provence,Telephone: +33 4 42 52 88 32.
Opening times:
Tues-Sun 1000-1900 (Jun-Sep); Tues-Sun 1200-1800 (Oct-May).
Website: http://www.museegranet-aixenprovence.frAdmission Fees:
Yes
Disabled Access: NoUNESCO: No
Cathédrale St-Sauveur (Holy Saviour Cathedral)
The Cathédrale St-Sauveur was built between the 5th century and the 15th centuries and is renowned for its interesting combination of architectural styles including Romanesque, baroque and Gothic. Highlights of the building include a double nave, a portal with elaborately carved doors and a baptistery surrounded by a circle of marble columns.
Address: , Place des Martyrs de la Résistance, Aix-en-Provence,Telephone: +33 4 42 23 45 65.
Opening times:
Daily.
Website: http://www.cathedrale-aix.netAdmission Fees:
No.
Disabled Access: NoUNESCO: Yes
Atelier de Cézanne (Cezanne Studio)
Many visitors to Aix-en-Provence will have an interest in the work of Cézanne, and here they will have an opportunity to discover several of the artist's familiar objects (many featured in his paintings). The studio is equipped with an audio/video room where visitors can watch relevant films. Tours in English daily.
Address: , 9 avenue Paul Cézanne, Aix-en-Provence,Telephone: +33 4 42 21 06 53.
Opening times:
Daily 1000-1230 and 1400-1700 (Oct-Mar); daily 1000-1230 and 1400-1800 (Apr-Jun and Sep); daily 1000-1800 (Jul-Aug).
Website: http://www.cezanne-en-provence.comAdmission Fees:
Yes
Disabled Access: NoUNESCO: No
Pavillon de Vendôme (Vendome Pavilion)
Surrounded by an elaborate French garden, the Pavillon de Vendôme gives visitors the opportunity to see a typical Aix mansion as it would have looked in the 18th century. Well-preserved furniture, paintings and artefacts from the 17th and 18th centuries give a glimpse into the lives of the local aristocracy of the time.
Address: , 32 rue Célony, Aix-en-Provence,Telephone: +33 4 42 91 88 75.
Opening times:
Wed-Mon 1000-1230 and 1330-1800 (Apr-Oct); till 1000-1230 and 1330-1700 (Oct-Apr).
Website: http://www.aixenprovence.fr/Pavillon-de-VendomeAdmission Fees:
Yes
Disabled Access: NoUNESCO: No
Hôtel de Caumont Centre d’Art
The 18th-century Hôtel de Caumont, in the heart of the Mazarin quarter, is one of the city's most beautiful mansions. Take a tour to admire the landscaped gardens and ornate salons. It also hosts exhibitions dedicated to the great masters of art from the 14th to the 19th centuries, as well as concerts.
Address: , 3 Rue Joseph Cabassol, Aix-en-Provence,Telephone: +33 4 42 20 70 01.
Opening times:
Wed-Sun 1000-1900 (May-Sep) and 1000-1800 (Oct-Apr). Evening times vary according to the event.
Website: http://www.caumont-centredart.comAdmission Fees:
Yes
Disabled Access: NoUNESCO: No
Bastide du Jas de Bouffan
Complement a visit to Cézanne's studio with a tour of the Cézanne family home, the Bastide du Jas de Bouffan. The Cézannes lived in this grand 18th-century mansion for 40 years, and certain rooms and the surrounding grounds are open to the public. Guided tours are offered in English as well as French.
Address: , 17 route de Galice, Aix-en-Provence,Telephone: +33 4 42 16 11 61.
Opening times:
Guided tours in English daily 1400 June-Sep; other times vary.
Website: http://www.cezanne-en-provence.comAdmission Fees:
Yes
Disabled Access: NoUNESCO: No
Musée Estienne de Saint-Jean
Hôtel Estienne de Saint-Jean, formerly the Musée du Viel Aix, is one of the city's finest 17th-century private mansions. The finely carved door opens into a hall with a magnificent wrought-iron balustrade. The main living areas, which include parts of the original décor, contain memorials to Aix's past.
Address: , 17 rue Gaston de Saporta, Aix-en-Provence,Telephone: +33 4 42 91 89 78.
Opening times:
Wed-Mon 1000-1230 and 1330-1700.
Website: http://www.aixenprovencetourism.comAdmission Fees:
No
Disabled Access: NoUNESCO: No
Tourist Offices
Office de Tourisme
Address: , Les Allées Provençales 300, Avenue Giuseppe Verdi, Aix-en-Provence,Telephone: +33 4 4216 1161.
Opening times:
Mon-Sat 0830-1900 Oct-May (till 2000 Jun-Sep); Sun 1000-1300 and 1400-1800 Jan-Sep.
Website: http://www.aixenprovencetourism.comWith helpful staff, stacks of brochures and the chance to book hotels, restaurants, shows and trips, Aix en Provence Tourist Office should be your first stop in the city.
Tourist passes
The #provenceaixperience City Pass runs for 24, 48 or 72 hours and offers 14 free activities and sites, special offers and exclusive deals from Aix en Provence Tourist Office (www.aixenprovencetourism.com). Prices start at €25 and include free transport on the Aix-en-Provence regional bus network.
