The Ultimate Travel Guide to Aix-en-Provence: History, Food, and Hidden Gems
Planning a trip to Aix-en-Provence? Discover the best things to do, see, eat, and explore in this beautiful Provencal city, from Cours Mirabeau to local markets and beyond.
Aix-en-Provence is one of the most beautiful cities in the south of France. Tucked in the heart of Provence, it draws travelers from around the world with its elegant fountains, sun-drenched boulevards, world-class food markets, and rich artistic heritage. Whether you are visiting for a weekend or planning a longer stay, this guide will help you make the most of your time in one of France’s most beloved destinations.
Why Aix-en-Provence Should Be on Your France Bucket List
Known locally as simply “Aix” (pronounced “ex”), this city has been drawing visitors for over two thousand years. Founded by the Romans in 123 BC, it served as a thriving spa town and later became the cultural and intellectual capital of Provence. Today, it is home to a prestigious university, a thriving arts scene, and a way of life that perfectly blends old-world charm with modern sophistication.
Unlike the crowded streets of Paris or the relentless tourist circuits of the French Riviera, Aix-en-Provence moves at its own pace. Locals linger at cafe terraces, shop at neighborhood markets, and take pride in their city’s traditions. If you want to truly experience the French lifestyle, Aix is the place to do it.
Top Things to Do in Aix-en-Provence
Walk the Famous Cours Mirabeau
No visit to Aix-en-Provence is complete without a stroll along the Cours Mirabeau, the grand tree-lined avenue at the heart of the city. Flanked by centuries-old plane trees, elegant 17th-century mansions, and a string of cafe terraces, the Cours Mirabeau is where locals and visitors alike come to see and be seen. The natural canopy of trees keeps it cool even on the hottest summer days, making it the perfect spot for a morning coffee or an afternoon glass of wine.
Explore the Mazarin Quarter
South of the Cours Mirabeau lies the Mazarin Quarter, one of the most elegant and least-visited neighborhoods in Aix. Built in the 17th century under the orders of Archbishop Michel Mazarin, this grid-patterned district is filled with aristocratic townhouses, beautiful private courtyards, and quiet fountains.
It is a neighborhood best explored slowly, on foot, with someone who knows its stories. The guided walking tours offered by AixTours are an excellent way to uncover the hidden layers of this remarkable area.
Discover the Fountains of Aix
Aix-en-Provence is often called the “City of a Thousand Fountains,” and for good reason. Fountains appear on nearly every corner, in every square, and along most major streets. Some are fed by natural thermal springs that have flowed since Roman times.
The moss-covered Fontaine des Quatre-Dauphins in the Mazarin Quarter and the steaming thermal fountain on the Cours Mirabeau are two of the most iconic. Hunting for fountains as you wander through the old town is one of the great quiet pleasures of visiting Aix.
Visit the Morning Farmers Market
The markets of Aix-en-Provence are legendary. Three times a week, Place Richelme transforms into a vibrant open-air market where local farmers and producers sell fresh fruit, vegetables, cheese, olives, honey, herbs, and charcuterie.
On Saturdays, the larger market spills across the Place des Prêcheurs and the surrounding streets. The colors, smells, and sounds of the Aix market are an experience in themselves.
Follow in the Footsteps of Paul Cezanne
Aix-en-Provence was the birthplace and lifelong home of Paul Cezanne, one of the founding fathers of modern art. The light and landscape of Provence shaped his vision, and the city has preserved much of the world he inhabited.
You can visit his reconstructed studio on the northern edge of the old town, trace the route he walked each morning to paint Montagne Sainte-Victoire, and see the sites that appear repeatedly in his work.
The mountain itself looms beautifully over the eastern horizon and is one of the most recognizable silhouettes in all of French art.
AixTours’ Sainte-Victoire Sacred Sites day tour takes you into the landscape that inspired Cezanne and so many other artists.
Day Trips from Aix-en-Provence
One of the greatest advantages of basing yourself in Aix is the sheer range of experiences within easy reach. Provence is a region of extraordinary variety, and a single day on the road from Aix can take you from dramatic limestone gorges to medieval hilltop villages.
The Luberon Villages
To the north of Aix, the Luberon is a protected natural park dotted with some of the most photogenic villages in France.
Gordes, perched dramatically on a rocky promontory, is one of the most visited villages in the country. Roussillon, with its extraordinary ochre cliffs and rust-colored buildings, is unlike anywhere else in Europe.
The market town of L’Isle-sur-la-Sorgue, nicknamed the “Venice of Provence” for its network of canals, is famous throughout France for its antique dealers and riverside cafes.
AixTours’ Luberon Villages day tour covers all three in a single carefully paced day.
Cassis and the Calanques
To the south of Aix, the coast offers some of the most dramatic scenery in all of Europe.
The Calanques are a series of narrow, fjord-like inlets carved into the white limestone cliffs between Marseille and Cassis. The water here is an impossibly vivid turquoise, and the cliffs rising straight from the sea create a landscape that feels like the end of the world.
The village of Cassis itself, with its colorful harbor and excellent seafood restaurants, is one of the most charming on the entire Mediterranean coast.
You can explore this region on AixTours’ Cassis and the Calanques day tour.
Arles, Les Baux, and Roman Provence
To the west of Aix, history takes center stage. Arles is one of the great Roman cities of France, home to a stunning amphitheater that still hosts events today, as well as the neighborhood where Vincent van Gogh created some of his most famous paintings.
Just a short drive away, the hilltop fortress village of Les Baux-de-Provence rises from the edge of the Alpilles massif like something from a medieval fairy tale.
AixTours’ Roman Ruins and St Remy day tour brings this whole western corridor of Provence to life with expert local storytelling.
Eating and Drinking in Aix-en-Provence
What to Eat
Provencal cuisine is Mediterranean at heart, built on olive oil, fresh herbs, ripe vegetables, and slow-cooked flavors.
In Aix, you will find the full range of local specialties. Look out for tapenade, a thick spread made from black or green olives, as well as socca, and the famous calissons d’Aix, a chewy almond and candied fruit sweet that has been made in the city for over five hundred years.
Every boulangerie in Aix makes a version of fougasse, a flat olive-oil bread sometimes studded with olives, anchovies, or lardons.
The farmers market is the best place to taste your way through the local food scene, especially with a guide who can steer you toward the best stalls.
Where to Drink
Provence is synonymous with rose wine, and for good reason. The dry, pale roses produced in the Cotes de Provence appellation are among the most distinctive wines in France.
You will find them everywhere in Aix, from supermarkets to Michelin-starred restaurants.
Pastis, the anise-flavored aperitif, is the other great drink of Provence and is traditionally enjoyed diluted with cold water before a long lunch.
For a truly authentic evening experience, AixTours’ Evening Apero Wine and Cheese tour offers a guided tasting of local wines and regional cheeses in the company of other travelers and a knowledgeable local guide.
When to Visit Aix-en-Provence
Spring (April to June)
Widely considered the best time to visit. The weather is warm but not yet scorching, the countryside is green, and the markets are overflowing with strawberries, asparagus, and fresh herbs.
Summer (July and August)
Brings heat, lavender in full bloom, and the peak of festival season. The International Music Festival of Aix is one of the most prestigious opera festivals in Europe.
Autumn (September and October)
A second golden season. The harvest is in, truffle season begins, and the soft amber light of September makes the stone buildings glow.
Winter (November to March)
Calm and cool. Markets continue, Christmas is celebrated warmly, and the city takes on a more local, unhurried character.
How to Get to Aix-en-Provence
By Plane
Marseille Provence Airport (MRS) is approximately 25 kilometers from Aix. A direct shuttle bus runs between the airport and Aix bus station in about 30 minutes
By Train
The Aix-en-Provence TGV station connects to Paris in approximately three hours. From the TGV station, a shuttle bus runs to the city center.
By Car
From Marseille, it is a 30-minute drive. From Nice, approximately two hours. From Lyon, around two and a half hours.
Tips for First-Time Visitors to Aix-en-Provence
Wear Comfortable Shoes
The old town is paved with smooth cobblestones and best explored entirely on foot.
Book a Guided Tour
Aix looks beautiful on the surface, but its real stories are hidden behind doorways, tucked inside private courtyards, and woven into the names of streets and squares.
The team at AixTours are widely regarded as the best English-speaking guides in the city.
Arrive Early at the Market
The farmers market gets busy by mid-morning. Arriving at 8 or 9 AM means better produce, fewer crowds, and more time to explore.
Learn a Few Words of French
Locals appreciate the effort enormously, even if your French is limited to simple greetings.
Do Not Rush
Aix is a city designed to be savored slowly. Build time into your itinerary to sit at a cafe and enjoy the rhythm of Provencal life.
Experience Aix-en-Provence with a Local Guide
The difference between a good trip and an unforgettable one often comes down to the people you meet and the stories you hear.
AixTours offers private and small-group guided tours of the city and the surrounding region, led by Benjamin Reilly, a deeply knowledgeable guide with family roots in Aix.
Whether you choose a city walking tour, a full-day trip into the Provencal countryside, or an immersive multi-day retreat, you will come away with a richer understanding of one of the most remarkable places in the world.
With over 500 five-star reviews and a reputation built on genuine hospitality and insider knowledge, AixTours is the trusted choice for English-speaking travelers who want to experience Provence properly.