The Ultimate Aix-en-Provence France Travel Guide
Aix-en-Provence is known for its fountains, but there's so much more here!
In the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region of southern France, you'll find something truly different. Aix-en-Provence is a university city with historic architecture and beautiful fountains at its heart. The streets are full of the energy of youth as well as the hustle and bustle of seemingly endless street market stalls. Enjoy the sounds of live music and happy laughter as you make your way through narrow winding streets to find your next delicious meal. There's even a cat cafe! I really wasn't expecting so much energy when I visited Aix-en-Provence. It blew me away!
Still not convinced? Check out my ultimate guide to Marseille, starting with a list of the top things to see in Aix-en-Provence that offer great reasons why you should visit France and embark on your own adventures in this vibrant place.
Top 10 sights in Aix-en-Provence, France
Paroisse Cathédrale Saint Sauveur Aix-en-Provence
- Paroisse Cathédrale Saint Sauveur
Prize winning Museum.
This is an impressive, ornate building. It's design includes Romanesque, Gothic and Neo-Gothic elements plus Roman columns!
Pavillon Vendôme
It feels like a secret garden!
This incredible place is hidden behind a wall. You'll walk along the street and see a little gate in the wall. Walk through it and you'll find a historic pavilion surrounded by a French formal garden. The building features stone architectural elements including incredible faces.
Musée du Vieil-Aix
3. Musée du Vieil-Aix
Art meets architecture.
You'll find vintage folk art in this historic mansion. Built in the 17th-century, it's home to period furnishings, paintings, even antique puppets.
Musée Granet
4. Musée Granet
Art & sculpture museum.
You'll find works by Rembrandt, Ingres & Cezanne in this former Knights of Malta center. It has a focus on painting, sculpture and archeology.
Mausolée Joseph Sec
Sculpture garden from end of the 18th century .
Joseph Sec, a wood merchant from Aix, commissioned the building of a curious Jacobin and masonic monument. Full of religious symbolism and incredible beauty, it's incredible that this mausoleum is freely open to the public!
Cochon Sauvage ou Sanglier
Super creepy, but in a good way!
This fountain has incredible detail. You'll find all kinds of wildlife cast into its form, with a boar as the highlight. Look for the snake eating a frog. This design is famous in Europe. It was originally created in marble but then was recreated in bronze and has been a cherished design ever since.
Fontaine De L'Hôtel De Ville
Fountain in the heart of the action.
Find this fountain not only to marvel at its beautiful design, but also for the picturesque square it sits within. There's a backdrop of flower stalls, incredible buildings, and shady cafe seating all around you.
Fontaine Moussue
8. Fontaine Moussue
Mossy fountain that draws its water from a hot spring.
The fountains in Aix-en-Provence serve as attractions but also key landmarks for activity centres. The Fontaine Mousse (Moss Fountain) is no different! Find it, and you'll find a long street market with live music. It's also very beautiful and unusual in its own right.
Hôtel de Châteaurenard
Historical monument established in 1650.
This was the residence of Louis XIV during his inspection tour of Provence in 1660. The art and design features of this building are famous. The walls and magnificent staircase are as impressive as the furnishings. At the time of writing, it's currently being renovated to be improved even further!
Meow Cat Cafe
Adorable cat cuddle cafe!
If you love cats, you'll have a great time in this cafe! The resident cats welcome you for lunch. They have a decent food and drinks menu too. You can expect to see university students doing projects together, enjoying the vibe and laughing at the cats' antics.
Music in Aix-en-Provence
For regular live music, check out the pubs on the weekends and the buskers in the streets near the moss fountain. In summer, you'll catch the Festival d'Aix-en-Provence. It's an annual international music festival of 'Lyric Art' usually held in July. This is a very musical city and you'll also find classical concerts, opera and dance events on throughout the year. Whatever the genre, expect swanky and creative performances and vibes!
Top 4 Instagrammable Locations in Aix-en-Provence, France
You'll find a lot of iconic photo locations around Aix! The top instagrammable location in Aix-en-Provence are:
Pavillon Vendôme
Meow Cat Cafe
Mausolée Joseph Sec
Street side cafe with flower markets in the background. The square around the Fontaine De L'Hôtel De Ville is a great option, but there are many good locations. Pick your location based on the light because these little streets can be in full sun or full shade through the day!
Popular hashtags for Aix-en-Provence travel posts on instagram, facebook twitter and other social media include: #AixenProvence #aixenprovence #aix #aixenprovencetourism #aixenprovencetourisme #aixenprovencecity #aixenprovencefood #aixenprovencefrance #travel #francetrip #france #holidayinfrance #fun #traveldestination #beautifuldestinations #southoffrance . Consider adding related hashtags such as #cafeachat #caféàchat #caféàchats #cafeachats #fountain #art #sculpture etc for example.
Penelope pointing while filming in Aix
Fun in Aix: 10 Reasons you must visit Aix-en-Provence
Ok, I've told you about the key attractions. What else? In a nutshell, you should visit Aix because there's so much more than what's on this list! During me travel to Aix, I discovered:
Incredible fountians, monuments, museums and galleries.
A young vibe full of positive energy.
Seemingly endless beautiful street markets and fragrant flower stalls.
Swanky street music scene and busy event schedule, even post covid!
Top quality coffee and meals.
Super adorable cat cafe and vegetarian restaurants with eclectic interiors.
Instagram worthy food, streets, people... everything!
When you combine these reasons with the fact that it is a truly beautiful French destination, Aix should be on your bucket list!
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Aix mean in Aix-en-Provence?
A Roman consul called Sextius Calvinus named natural springs here after himself (Aquae Sextiae), and then founded the city in 123 BC. Aix is short for Aquae Sextiae, named after the springs.
How is Aix pronounced in French?
Aix is pronounced “ex”.
What is Aix known for?
It's known for its incredible number and variety of fountains!
Is Aix-en-Provence expensive?
No! It's fairly average for France, and cheaper than other tourist destinations in Europe.
Is Aix-en-Provence worth visiting?
Yes, definitely. Even if you only have a day to spare, it's worth a day trip here. I took the fast train from Marseille.
How many days do you need in Aix-en-Provence?
Two to three days in Aix is perfect. The heart of the city is compact and walkable, so you can enjoy many of the inner city attractions in one day if you're in a hurry!
Currency in Aix-en-Provence
The main currency is the Euro. You can exchange your currency in local currency exchange shopfronts, but you can also withdraw money through an ATM. The local bank ATMs provide currency at reasonable excange rates, but you may want to avoid the fees and exchange rate traps of the ATMs that target tourists. You can identify them from their 'currency exchange' type branding (e.g. Euronet).
Mobile Phone Service / Roaming in Aix-en-Provence
The main service providers include Orange, SFR, Bouygues Télécom, and Free Mobile. Prepaid SIM cards are easy to buy, but it's easiest to buy them in a company branded shopfront.
The calling code for France is +33.
Share your Aix-en-Profence Holiday Tips!
I know there are even more things to do and see in Aix and I want to hear ideas from you! Comment below or head over to our Travel Fun Music Community Facebook Page , Travel Inspiration Instagram account or join the Our Travel Addict Conversations on Twitter. You can also leave tips in the comments on the Travel Fun Music YouTube Channel . Use the #travelfunmusic hashtag and it’ll show up on our website.
P.S. I've also received these questions. Don't worry - I haven't forgotten you folks! I just haven't had the chance to update this article to answer them yet! Sorry!
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