A Guide to Aix-en-Provence: Things to Do + Tips for Your Visit

I’m so glad that I decided to spend a few leisurely days in beautiful Aix-en-Provence during my South of France trip. The vibrant city is home to lively outdoor markets, as well as top-tier restaurants and shops. At every corner, you see the stunning baroque and neoclassical architecture, as well as the many, many fountains. There’s also an amazing art scene (after all, it is the birthplace of artist Paul Cézanne!).

In this Aix-en-Provence guide, I’m covering all you need to know for your visit. You’ll find helpful tips based on my time in this charming city, as well as restaurant and hotel recommendations. Of course, I’m also including all of the best things to do in Aix-en-Provence so that you can put together the perfect itinerary!

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Where to Stay in Aix-en-Provence

It’s smart to stay in or just outside of the city if you want to be able to walk into town. Some top conveniently located options include: 

• Villa Saint-Ange – a beautiful hotel that is just a 10-minute walk from the center of Aix. There’s an excellent pool, lush gardens, and comfortable, beautifully decorated and opulent rooms and suites. I chose this hotel for my Aix trip and had a lovely stay!
• Villa Gallici – another stunning hotel that is a 15-minute walk from the heart of town. The elegant property features a pool and gorgeous rooms and suites. 
• Hôtel Le Pigonnet – this well-loved hotel is a bit further than the other two, but is still just about a 20-minute walk from town. The property (which dates back to the 18th-century but has a contemporary design) has a pool and spa on-site, as well as lovely rooms, suites, and villas.  

Another hotel worth highlighting is Château de la Gaude. This stunning hotel is a bit outside of the city (it’s about a 10-minute drive), but is an excellent option if you’re looking for an upscale stay at a peaceful, elegant property!

Shop the Famous Aix-en-Provence Markets 

You can’t visit Aix without shopping at the Provencal markets! Thankfully, there are markets open every day of the week, so you can stop by no matter when you’re visiting.

Here are a few of the highlights worth noting for your visit: 

• Place Richelme Food Market (Daily) – when I imagine an open-air Provencal market, this is exactly what I have in mind! Set in the picturesque Place Richelme, you’ll find seasonal fruits and veggies, as well as other local food goods. This was my favorite, so I highly recommend a visit while you’re in the city. 
• Place de Verdun/des Prêcheurs Food Markets (Tuesday, Thursday, & Saturday) – you’ll also find plenty of excellent stands selling packaged and freshly made food set up at these squares! 
• Cours Mirabeau and Rue Thiers Markets (Tuesday, Thursday, & Saturday) – there are tons of stands set up along the entire length of Cours Mirabeau, which is one of the main arteries of Aix. You’ll see vendors selling clothes, antiques, linens, and more. You’ll find even more stands along Rue Thiers, which is just east of Cours Mirabeau. I picked up an Aix-en-Provence print from a local artist (Abi-Gaëlle Marcelle Morin) that I love! 

Rue Thiers & Place Richelme Markets

Stroll Through Town & See the Iconic Fountains

You’ll definitely want to spend some time wandering through the storied, picturesque streets and squares of the city. 

Aix has earned the nickname of “city of a thousand fountains”. There are around 250 fountains in Aix-en-Provence, so that’s a bit of an exaggeration…but the presence of these fountains is definitely felt as you explore the city! 

There are plenty of beautiful spots in Aix, but here are a few of my favorite spots worth saving for your visit.  

As mentioned, Cours Mirabeau is a main, bustling street in the center of the city. As you stroll down the street, you’ll pass by Fontaine Moussue – a cool moss-covered fountain. 

On the west end of the street is the Fontaine de la Rotonde, one of the most famous Aix-en-Provence fountains. 

Another pretty spot in town is Place de l’Hôtel de Ville, the town hall square. Here, you’ll see the Fontaine de la Mairie. 

In the markets section above, I highlighted Place Richelme. Even when the markets aren’t happening, this vibrant square is definitely worth visiting. I highly recommend grabbing a drink or a meal at one of the eateries that line the square. It’s the perfect spot for people watching!

A spot that I’m very happy I stumbled upon was Place d’Albertas, a stunning cobblestone square. As you may have guessed, there is yet another fountain in the center of this square.  

Explore the Local Museums

Aix has some incredible museums, so it’s definitely worth stopping by at least one during your visit.

One of the most popular museums is Musée Granet. This museum houses more than 12,000 works, with pieces from artists like Cézanne, Rembrandt, Granet, Rubens, Ingrens, Giacometti, and many more. 

Another museum worth highlighting is Hôtel de Caumont (also referred to as the Caumont Centre d’Art). This museum is located in a beautiful 18th century mansion, and hosts temporary exhibitions. I think it’s worth visiting to see the building itself (although I very much enjoyed the Niki de Saint Phalle exhibit that was on display during my visit). 

A final museum worth mentioning is Pavillon Vendôme, which I do not particularly recommend. The smaller space was sparsely decorated, and I found the exhibit to be lackluster, with no actual art or artifacts on display. 

The exhibit does rotate, so it’s possible I just visited when there was a dud! That said, if you have limited time, I recommend prioritizing the other two museums. You can also visit the grounds of Pavillon Vendôme (which are beautiful!) without actually having to pay to go inside the museum

The exterior and interior of Hotel de Caumont and the exterior of Pavillon Vendome

See Cézanne’s Former Studio (Atelier des Lauves) & His Former Home (Bastide du Jas de Bouffan)

One of the most famous Aix-en-Provence attractions is Cézanne’s studio, known as Atelier des Lauves. He designed the space himself, and it was his final studio (he worked there from 1902 until his death in 1906). Visitors have a chance to get up close to his workspace, seeing his equipment and some of the models for his last still life paintings. 

Tickets can be purchased online. They do sometimes sell out during peak travel season, so it’s smart to buy tickets in advance!

Another Cézanne landmark worth checking out is the Bastide du Jas de Bouffan. The family home was purchased by Cézanne’s father in 1859, and remained in the family until 1899. Cézanne created 36 oil paintings and 17 watercolor paintings on the property. 

Today, visitors can tour the mansion and property and learn more about Cézanne, his family, and the connection to Aix-en-Provence. Tickets can be purchased online. 

Indulge in Madeleines & Calissons (French Candies!)

While exploring Aix-en-Provence, be sure to indulge in the local treats! 

I stopped at the famous Madeleines De Christophe depuis 2006, and highly recommend adding it to your itinerary. Their freshly baked madeleines were absolutely delicious, and I loved the many flavors they offered! Note that they have a minimum order amount of six madeleines (an easy minimum to hit!). In addition to this iconic spot, another well-loved madeleine shop in Aix-en-Provence is L’atelier des Madeleines.

You’ll also want to stop by a local shop to pick up some calissons. This specialty French candy originates from Aix-en-Provence, and is made from almond paste and candied melon and orange, and is topped with icing. There are also variations that come in different flavors, such as lavender, coffee, pistachio, and lemon.

You’ll see calissons available at a variety of candy stores, bakeries, and other shops around town. The city is known for these candies, so they’re sold everywhere! I bought some from Le Roy René (they were great!), but some other popular shops include Calissons d’Aix Léonard Parli (there are multiple locations around the city) and Le Comptoir de Mathilde.

Visit the Saint-Sauveur Cathedral

The magnificent, towering Saint-Sauveur Cathedral is 100% worth a visit. It was built on the ruins of a 1st century Roman forum, and the property features elements that were built and rebuilt from the 12th century all the way to the 19th century. The cathedral combines Romanesque, Gothic and Neo-Gothic architectural styles. It is free to visit and open daily

Shop in Town

The shopping doesn’t stop at the markets! Aix-en-Provence is an amazing destination for buying some souvenirs to take home.

A favorite of mine is the very popular Sézane store (it was very crowded during my visit!), which has women’s clothing and accessories, as well as select menswear from Octobre Éditions. Throughout the city, you’ll also find stores for well-known name brands and French staples, such as Diptyque, L’Occitane, Fragonard, and so much more. 

Take a Day Trip to the Luberon Region

If you have time while you’re in Aix-en-Provence, I highly recommend exploring the beautiful Luberon region. It’s known for its picturesque hilltop villages, as well as the beautiful natural Provencal scenery. 

You can easily see multiple villages in one day. During my trip, I spent a day exploring Gordes, Roussillon, and Lourmarin – all of which are worth a visit! 

Read my guides on Gordes and Roussillon for the best things to do in these towns, as well as must-know information about visiting these stunning Luberon villages! 

If you’re visiting in the early summer, you may also see lavender fields in bloom as you are driving around the region! My visit was in June, so I saw plenty of purple fields during my day trip. 

You will need a car to explore this region on your own. Alternatively, consider booking one of these highly-rated tours so that you don’t have to worry about transportation:

• Luberon Villages Half-Day Tour from Aix-en-Provence (includes Gordes, Lourmarin, and Roussillon)
• Provence Wineries and Luberon Villages Day Trip from Aix-en-Provence (includes two wineries, as well as Gordes, Lourmarin, and Roussillon)

Go on a Provence Wine Tour

If you want to explore the French wine scene, consider booking a wine tour! No need to worry about transportation – a guide will pick you up from your hotel, and you’ll spend half a day visiting two Provence wineries. 

Aix-en-Provence Restaurants, Bars, & Cafes Worth Adding to Your Itinerary

Aix has a really incredible dining scene, so you have plenty of eateries to choose from. Here are a few of my favorites, as well as some other highlights in the city: 

• Tita – a very popular Mediterranean spot with a bright and colorful dining space. Their falafel is top-notch, and I especially loved their babaghanoush! 
• Le Ramus – a popular French restaurant with a stunning indoor dining space, as well as outdoor seating in a lively square. 
• La Cabane en Ville – a really excellent, intimate vegan restaurant with a rotating menu. If you visit and the creme brulee is on the menu, I highly recommend ordering it. 
• La Plume Végétale – another fully vegan spot that was a highlight of the trip. The pad thai and the jackfruit BBQ burger were standouts, and they also have refreshing lemonade!
• L’incontournable – another excellent French restaurant with picture-perfect outdoor seating around a fountain. 
• Café du Temps – a breakfast and lunch spot with great indoor and outdoor dining spaces. I visited for breakfast – the pancakes and acai bowl are both excellent! 
• Le Vieux Tonneau – a lovely wine bar and restaurant in the heart of town. 
• Maison Weibel – a great pastry shop with outdoor seating overlooking Place Richelme (a perfect place for a morning croissant and espresso!). 
• Farinoman Fou Aix – a popular bakery offering delicious bread loafs and other baked goods. 
• Vanim – if you need a caffeine fix or a refreshing drink, I highly recommend this cafe!

Cafe du Temps, La Cabane en Ville, and Tita