Tourist information on Aix-en-Provence, France

Aix, also known as Aix-en-Provence, is a city in southern France, situated 30 km north of Marseille. It is in the department of Bouches-du-Rhône, in the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region of France. Whilst it is a relatively small city, Aix is a major tourist destination and an important centre for education, with three world-class universities. It is wealthy compared with nearby Marseille, with property prices comparable with those of Paris. The city's historic centre is so small that you can cross it in under twenty minutes on foot, but there is so much to see that you need to spend at least two full days in Aix to appreciate all that it has to offer. After that, you need to allow another week to explore the sumptuous countryside that surrounds the town, which is some of the most breathtaking in France.

Aix was founded in 123 BC by the Roman consul Sextius Calvinus, after whom the town was named Aquae Sextiae. For most of the next 500 years, Aix was an important Roman spa town, reputed for the healing properties of its natural thermal water. From the 5th century, the town was fought over by the Franks and Lombards, and occupied by the Saracens in 731. During the Middle Ages, Aix was the capital of Provence and in the 12th century, ruled by Aragon and Anjou, it was a leading centre of education and art. In 1497, Aix and the rest of Provence became part of France. The parliament of Provence was established in Aix by Louis XII in 1501 but was subsequently abolished in 1789 as part of the reforms of the French Revolution. Today, Aix is considered the unofficial capital of Provence and is one of the most popular tourist destinations in southern France.

Aix is famous for three things - its architecture, its fountains and the fact that it was the home of the post-impressionist painter Paul Cézanne. The Old Town (Vieille Ville) is typical of Provençal towns, with quaint paved squares and narrow Medieval streets lined with grand old houses that date back to the 17th century. It is here that you will find one of Aix's main attractions, Cathédrale Saint Sauveur (St Sauveur Cathedral). This amazing edifice (which has three naves) took 1200 years to complete and is an extraordinary mishmash of architectural styles, including Romanesque, Gothic and Baroque. Next to this is the 17th century archbishop's palace, which houses the Tapestry Musuem (Musée des Tapisseries).

The Cours Mirabeau, the oldest and broadest street in Aix, neatly bisects the town, the New Town lying to the south and west, the Old Town to the north. Lined by plane trees and imposing mansions, this is the grandest and busiest area of the city centre, a popular spot with its restaurants and pavement cafés. It is here that you will find the Deux Garçons, Aix's most famous brasserie, whose illustrious past patrons include Cézanne, Zola and Hemingway. South of the Cours Mirabeau is the Mazarin Quarter, an upmarket residential area built in the 17th century primarily for members of the Provence parliament. Located here is the Arbaud Museum, which exhibits locally made pottery. At the heart of the Old Town, the picturesque Place de l'Hôtel de Ville is the site of two of Aix's most impressive public buildings, the 17th century Hôtel de Ville (town hall), adjacent to a grand clock-tower, and the ornately decorated Halle de Grains (Corn Exchange).

Aix is especially famous for its plethora of decorative fountains, the grandest of which is the 17th century Fontaine des Quatre Dauphins (Fountain of the Four Dolphins) in the Quartier Mazarin. Of the three fountains on the Cours Mirabeau, the most eye-catching is the one situated on the Rotonde, beneath the three huge statues depicting Art, Justice and Agriculture. Several impressive fountains can also be found in the Old Town, most notably on the Place d'Albertas and the Place des Trois-Ormeaux.

Aix's open-air markets (held on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays) are another feature of the town, offering everything from fresh produce and flowers to clothes, books and antiques. For those who prefer to shop indoors, there is also a wide range of shops, including fashion boutiques, bookshops and souvenir shops. Aix is not only a great place to shop and go sightseeing, it is also a major cultural hub. It is the home of two of France's most prestigious musical events: the Festival d'Aix-en-Provence, an important opera festival held in July that rivals those of Salzburg and Glyndebourne; and Musique dans la Rue, which coincides with the national Fête de la Musique in June.

One of the attractions of Aix is its wide range of museums. The foremost of these is the Musée Granet, which offers a large collection of paintings and sculptures (including work by Ingrès, Van Dyck and Cézanne), as well as an archaeological exhibition that displays Roman artefacts. Other important museums include: the Musée du Vieil Aix (Museum of Old Aix), documenting the history of Aix; the Muséum d'Histoire Naturelle (Natural History Museum); the Musée de Tapisseries (Tapestry Museum); and L'Atelier Cézanne, a museum in the north of Aix that provides a reconstruction of the studio of the painter Paul Cézanne.

The countryside around Aix is well worth exploring. The view to the east is dominated by the towering Mont Sainte-Victoire, which can be ascended on foot via a network of paths which lead to a priory and the Croix de Provence on its summit. To the north, the mountain descends through an attractive area of woodland to the picturesque village of Vauvenargues. To the south of Aix lies the town of Les Milles, which is the site of a monument (Mémorial des Milles) built on a Nazi concentration camp.

The nearest commercial airport to Aix is at Marseille, although it may be cheaper to fly with a low cost carrier to Nice. There is a high speed rail service (TGV) from Paris to Aix, the journey time being just three hours. A standard train service connects Aix to nearby French cities, including Marseille and Nice. Aix is also well-served by its buses, which provide easy access to the towns and villages in its vicinity. Parking in Aix can be a nightmare, especially in the peak summer months, so it is not advisable to drive into the centre of town. The best time to visit Aix is in the late spring, early autumn, when the climate is milder and the town centre less crowded.