Aix en Provence City Breaks

A guide to Aix-en-Provence

A sun kissed city of arts and lights, Aix-en-Provence offers an overdose of compelling history and culture, all at a refreshingly laid-back pace of life. Holidays here focus on the winding cobblestone lanes of the old town and Mazarin Quarter, where bustling shops and cafes rub shoulders with historic gems such as the imposing Saint Sauveur Cathedral, the Archbishop's Palace and the Corn Exchange. Aix-en-Provence is best experienced on foot, and at every turn you will encounter tranquil hidden courtyards surrounded by elaborate mansion houses and crumbling churches.

A Powerhouse of Art and Music

The city revels in its cultured past, and history-lovers can spends several days admiring priceless art from the likes of local artist Paul Cezanne, aristocratic mansions houses and, of course, its emblematic fountains. You can visit museums and explore a millennia of Provencal history encompassing Roman art treasures, elegant tapestry and prehistoric fossils, finishing with a well-earned soak in one of the town’s famous thermal spas. Aix-en-Provence is a magnet for cultured music lovers all year round and the celebrated festival season includes the famous International Festival of Lyric Art each summer, the Festival of French Song and the lively Musique dans la Rue street concerts.

Sightseeing, exploring and more

This delightful city offers so much more than just a sedate city of sightseeing and culture. Adventure is within easy reach with a day of challenging horse riding or trekking up nearby Mount Sainte Victoire, and there are plenty of activities for the whole family, such as go-karting and ice skating. Shopping is a major pastime and is sure to tempt eager bargain hunters, thanks to the charming thrice weekly Marche du Palais de Justice, noted for its fabrics and antique curiosities, as well as the regular handicraft fairs which take place at the weekends, and the famous Old Book Market at the Town hall held each Sunday. No visit to the city would be complete without sampling the delicious Provencal cuisine, featuring plenty of fresh local produce such as tomatoes, peppers and olives on menus throughout the area.