- The city was originally founded by the Roman consul Sextius Calvinus in 122 BC, who named it Aquae Sextiae after the thermal springs he discovered there.
- During the 15th century, the city served as the capital of the County of Provence under the reign of 'Good King René', who fostered a local renaissance of arts and culture.
- Aix-en-Provence maintains a unique distinction as a 'Ville d'Art et d'Histoire' (City of Art and History) due to its exceptionally preserved historical urban landscape.
- The city is home to one of the oldest universities in the world, the University of Aix-Marseille, which traces its institutional roots back to 1409.
About Aix-en-Provence
Aix-en-Provence is a historic university city in southern France renowned for its abundance of thermal springs and elegant 17th and 18th-century architecture. Visitors arrive to experience the Provencal lifestyle, anchored by the grand Fontaine de la Rotonde at the city's gateway. The city offers deep artistic insights through the preserved Cézanne's studio and the extensive fine arts collection at the Musée Granet. Its cultural identity is further defined by historic religious sites like the Paroisse Cathédrale Saint Sauveur Aix-en-Provence and the serene grounds of the Pavillon Vendôme.
Highlights of Aix-en-Provence
The places our editors single out — and why they're worth your time.
Places of interest
This massive 1860 fountain serves as the central landmark and primary meeting point for those entering the city.
Temples
The cathedral features a complex architectural blend, including a baptistery dating back to the 6th century.
Museums
This museum houses a significant collection of European paintings, ranging from the medieval period to the works of local icon Paul Cézanne.
Museums
Visitors can tour the preserved workspace where Paul Cézanne painted his final still-life masterpieces.
Natural attractions
This viewpoint offers the exact perspective of the Montagne Sainte-Victoire that inspired many of Cézanne's landscape paintings.
Places of interest
The square is widely considered one of the finest examples of French Baroque urban design in the city.
Museums
Built in 1665, this former private mansion now serves as a museum featuring an extensive collection of period fine arts and gardens.
Historical places
This site provides a sobering look at regional history as a former internment and deportation camp during the mid-20th century.
Top things to do in Aix-en-Provence
The 238 highest-rated places in Aix-en-Provence, ranked by travellers.
1
Places of interest
The Fontaine de la Rotonde is the largest fountain in Aix-en-Provence, situated at the junction of the city's main thoro...
2
Temples
The Cathédrale Saint-Sauveur is a unique architectural palimpsest constructed over the ruins of a Roman forum and a 1st-...
3
Museums
Musée Granet is a fine arts museum located in the historic Mazarin district of Aix-en-Provence. The permanent collection...
4
Beaches and ponds
Lac de Peyrolles is a 14-hectare artificial lake located in the Durance Valley, designed specifically for recreational w...
5
Temples
The Basilique Sainte Marie Madeleine is the largest Gothic structure in Provence, constructed starting in 1295 to house...
6
Places of interest
The Barrage de Bimont is a 87.5-meter high arch dam completed in 1952, designed to supply drinking water to Aix-en-Prove...
7
Historical places
The Camp des Milles is the only large French internment and deportation camp that remains intact and accessible to the p...
8
Places of interest
Vélorail Sainte Baume operates on a repurposed section of the former Carnoules-Gardanne railway line in the Var departme...
9
Parks
Parc Jourdan is a 3.7-hectare English-style landscape garden located on a hillside in central Aix-en-Provence. The park...
10
Places of interest
Place d'Albertas is a Baroque-style square in the center of Aix-en-Provence, commissioned by the d'Albertas family in 17...
11
Museums
Atelier des Lauves is the final studio used by Paul Cézanne, where he worked daily from 1902 until his death in 1906. Th...
12
Historical places
Castle Sauvan is an 18th-century neoclassical chateau located in the Luberon region of France, recognized as a Monument...
13
Venues
The Théâtre du Jeu de Paume is an Italian-style theater located in the historic center of Aix-en-Provence. Originally bu...
14
Places of interest
Les Jardins d'Albertas is a protected 18th-century formal French garden located in Bouc-Bel-Air. The site features a ser...
15
Beaches and ponds
Étang de la Bonde is a 30-hectare artificial reservoir situated at the southern base of the Luberon mountain range. Cons...
16
Amusement parks
Corbi Park is a hybrid amusement and animal park located in the Alpes-de-Haute-Provence region of France. The facility c...
17
Museums
The Pavillon Vendôme is a 17th-century Baroque hôtel particulier in Aix-en-Provence, originally constructed as a pleasur...
18
Places of interest
The Fontaine du Roi René, located at the western end of the Cours Mirabeau in Aix-en-Provence, was designed by architect...
19
Parks
Montagne Sainte-Victoire is a limestone mountain ridge in Provence, France, extending 18 kilometers between the departme...
20
Natural attractions
The Field of the Painters is a public park located on the site where Paul Cézanne frequently set up his easel to paint t...
21
Zoos
Anim'o parc is a family-oriented petting zoo and educational farm located in the commune of Fuveau, Provence-Alpes-Côte...
22
Parks
Parc Rambot is a historic municipal park located in Aix-en-Provence, spanning approximately 1.5 hectares of wooded space...
23
Parks
The Promenade de l'Arc is a linear park located along the banks of the Arc River in the southern section of Aix-en-Prove...
24
Natural attractions
25
Natural attractions
26
Amusement parks
27
Parks
28
Parks
29
Parks
30
Temples
Explore by category
Jump straight to what you're into.
Aix-en-Provence on the map
Top attractions plotted across the city.
Plan your visit to Aix-en-Provence
May to June or September to October, when the Mediterranean climate is mild and the intense summer heat has not yet peaked or has already receded.
2-3 days to explore the historic center, museums, and nearby natural sites like the Barrage de Bimont.
The city center is highly walkable, though local buses serve the outskirts and regional rail connections link to nearby Marseille and the airport.
Staying in the historic Mazarin quarter or near the Cours Mirabeau places you within walking distance of the city's primary historical landmarks and commercial districts.
Mid-to-high range; as a popular regional hub, accommodation and dining prices reflect its status as a premium Provencal destination.
Frequently asked
Aventuro lists 238 curated attractions in and around Aix-en-Provence, ranked by traveller ratings.
Fontaine de la Rotonde is the highest-rated place to visit in Aix-en-Provence right now.
The largest category is temples, with 67 places to explore.
Travellers also explore Paris, Lyon, Lormont.
Explore more of France
Other cities ranked by number of curated places.
