Visiting Aix-en-Provence

Aix-en-Provence

Fontaine de la Rotonde - October 2015

Fontaine de la Rotonde - Feburary 2016

We have visited Aix-en-Provence three times since we've been living in France.  The forty minute drive to get to this bustling town is worth every minute because it is a beautiful city with so much to see and do.  Our first visit was in October and we enjoyed walking around the narrow streets, visiting two museums and a church.  We visited again in December and we were thrilled to see the city in full Christmas regalia. There were decorated trees, roasting chestnuts, santons and a Christmas market.  The most recent visit was just as fun, we re-visited some of the same sites at a more relaxed pace.  

Via Aurelia
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Aix-en-Provence dates from 122-123 BC, when it was founded by Roman, Sextius Calvinius, who gave his name to the local spring. Aix was declared a Roman colony by Ceasar in 45 BC.  The Roman road, Via Aurelia, passed through Aix on its way to Italy. The Roman colony was abandoned in 574 AD and during the middle ages Aix was invaded by many groups including the Barbarians and Saracens.  Eventually, the counts of Provence made Aix their home bringing with them arts and education.  The city faced many changes during the religious wars and the revolution and so many different historical events have left their mark on the beautiful city.


One of the first monuments that you can see when driving into the city is the beautiful Fontaine de la Rotonde. It is decorated with sculptures of lions, swans, angels and dolphins. Built in 1860, this fountain dominates the traffic circle and it is located at the end of the famous Cours Mirabeau.  The tourist office is located in this area as well as an Apple store and a fantastic sculpture of Paul Cezanne, a local son.

Cours Mirabeau - Armistice Day 2015

Cour Mirabeau - December 2015

Marché de Noël
December 1015
Cours Mirabeau

The Cours Mirabeau is short, tree-lined avenue of only 440 meters that starts at the Fontaine de La Rotonde.  The Cours Mirabeau is famous for the cafés that line the street as well as for the the celebrities who frequented the restaurants and bistros.  Wealthy citizens of Aix built their homes on this street and the childhood home of Paul Cezanne was here as well. The Cours Mirabeau is punctuated with three smaller fountains, la Fontaine des Neuf Cannons, la Fontaine Moussue (a warm water fountain perpetually covered in moss) and la Fontaine du Roi René.

Fontaine de Neuf Cannons

Fontaine Moussue
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Fontaine du Roi René

The Musée Granet is located two blocks away from the Cours Mirabeau in the quartier Mazarin.  
We strolled through the sculpture gallery where we saw a bust of Abbé de l'Épée, the man who helped to develop a system of sign language for deaf people in France in the 18th century. Sophia enjoyed seeing the statues of Greek and Roman mythology and telling me the story that went with the characters. 

Located only a few steps away from the Musée Granet, is La Fontaine de quatre Dauphins.  The Fountain of the Four Dolphins dating from 1667, is an example of Baroque art that was prized by Aix's nobility.  What is it with this kid?  No matter where we go she has to put her hands in the water.  She loves playing in fountains, touching the water, splashing and getting wet. Ask her to take a shower and that is another story!

















Our next stop was the Pavillon Vendôme.  This beautiful house, surrounded by magnificent gardens is a hidden gem in the center of the city.  There is a children's play ground, benches and flowers.  You can visit the house and the modern art exhibits. I learned that the house, commisioned by the Duke of Vendôme, was used as a  "lover's hideaway".  





La Cathedrale Saint Sauveur, Saint Savior Cathedral is a beautiful church.  Each time I go there I see works of art, hear fantastic music and wonder about the fantastic feats of architecture. The cathedral has been built and rebuilt over several centuries, there are elements of Romanesque, Gothic and Neo-Gothic architecture.  You can sneak a peek at the cloisters through a wooden gate.  They offer tours of but I have missed them every time.

The first time I saw this plaque was on Armistice day.  

During our visits to Aix-en-Provence we only scratched the surface of all the sights that one can see in this beautiful city.  I could spend days visiting  the fountains, the squares, the fancy stores or the specialty candies made in Aix.  Although I know that I will never get to see and do everything that the city has to offer, more friends are coming to visit and we will continue our explorations of Aix-en-Provence.