Aix en Provence
| Cézanne 2006 |
Aix en Provence enjoys an exceptional setting: at the crossroads of numerous routes, it is in the midst of a beautiful touristic environment. Determinedly cultural and artistic, this town, famed for its numerous fountains, has succeeded in hamoniously marrying tradition with modernity by creating areas of high technology.
Visitors will discover the ancient parts of the city, rich with ancient monuments and the presence of numerous museums. It is interesting to note that Aix en Provence is the town which saw Cézanne paint a large part of his work and where foundations, such as those of Vasarely and Saint John Perse, attract each year throngs of visitors.
Tourist venues
The town of 17 fountains
Majestic or modest, ancient or modern, each one of them offers the passer-by historical testimonies of great variety.
To visit: the Fountain of Pascal, the Fountain of the Three Ormeaux, the Fountain of Espéluque, the Fountain of Albertas...
The Town Hall square
(Place de l'Hôtel de Ville)
In the centre of the Square, a fountain designed by George Vallon recycles a roman column. On flower market days, aromas, scents and local colours, as well as the freshness of the fountain give this place a much appreciated charm under the sun of Provence.
The Cours Mirabeau
For four Centuries now, the shade of its plane-trees - the characteristic platanes, the sumptuous frontages of its ancient town houses, its fountains and café terrasses, all have contributed to making the Cours Mirabeau a renowned and charming place to stroll and meet up with friends, old and new.
The Sainte Victoire
The Mountain of Sainte Victoire is a high calcareous cliff which dominates the Aix countryside with its extraordinary whiteness. Its marked-out pathways will provide charming strolls .
Churches
The Church of Sainte Marie-Madeleine
This church must be visited, especially for the artistic riches it plays host to.
The Cathedral Saint Sauveur
This sumptuous building is characterised by the juxtaposition of all different architectural styles.
The cloister
Rebuilt on the site of a previous, more ancient one, forms a square of 12m by 12m, and is adorned bya framed timber ceiling.
The museums
The Museum of ancient Aix
17, rue Gaston de Saporta
In a typically Provencal and refined setting, different popular artefacts ofevery day life are exhibited, along with a talking, mechanic, crib.
Museum Granet
Place Saint Jean de Malte - Arts, archeology, and Celto-Ligure statuary.
The Museum of Tapestries (Musée des Tapisseries) - In the ancient Archbishopric
Museum Arbaud
2, rue du 4 Septembre - Fine china and paintings.
Pavillon Vendôme
32, rue Celony - Furniture, sculptures and 17th century paintings.
Museum of Natural History
6, rue d'Espariat
Foundation Vasarely
Avenue Marcel Pagnol
The Foundation, in addition to the exhibition of the artist's works, strives to develop the intervention of art in the town.
Map
1-La Fontaine de la Rotonde
2-Cours Mirabeau
3- Fontaine des Quatre Dauphins
4- Tour Communale
5- Place de l'Hôtel de Ville
6- Cathédrale de Saint Sauveur
7- Le Cloître roman
8- Place Albertas
9- Sainte Marie-Madeleine