Aix-en-Provence

Destination Aix-en-Provence

Located in the south of France, only 25km (17miles) from Marseille, lies Aix-en-Provence, the most charming city of the Provence Region and home town of Cézanne, the famous impressionist painter. Cézanne was born and raised in Aix-en-Provence and lived all his live in this pleasant southern city. His work can be found throughout the city and while wandering around the lovely old-town and the surroundings you will recognize what inspired the famous French painter. There is even a special Cezanne tour which you can follow through the streets of Aix stopping at points marked with a C.

The center of Aix is the Old Town which is surrounded by boulevards and squares. The name Aix comes from the source discovered when the city was founded by the Romans in 123 BC. In the old days Aix was surrounded by a wall with 39 towers. Today only one tower remains, the Tourreluquo, at the North West corner of the Town. The beautiful tree lined avenue, Cours Mirabeau, follows the borders of the old walls and divides Aix in two parts, the old and the new town. The nicest typical French sidewalk cafes, bookshops and fountains can be found in this street, the heart of Aix. Paul Cézanne was a frequent visitor of these sidewalk cafes and one cafe in particular; Le Deux Garcons. Large trees give day long shadow on hot summer days and it is a delight to sit on the terrace of Le Deux Garcons and simply enjoy a cup of coffee watching people walking by.