Aix-en-Provenece, France
The city of Aix-en-Provence is located in southern France, some 30 km north of Marseille. It is located in France’s Provence region. Aix’s population is approximately 137,000, and the local dialect (spoken by a rapidly declining number and rarely used) is part of the Provencal language.
The name of the city in that language is ‘Ais de Prouvènço’. Most streets in the old city are named in both French and Provencal. Founded in 122 BC by the Roman consul Sextius Calvinus (who gave his name to its springs), Aix has thermal springs, remarkable for their heat as well as for containing lime and carbonic acid.
Aix is often referred to as the city of a thousand fountains. Among the more notable are the Fontaine des Quatre Dauphins (Fountain of the Four Dolphins), built in 1667 by Jean-Claude Rambot; Le bon Roi René’s Fountain, built in the 19th century, and the hot-water fountain dating back to 1734, which is now covered in moss.
Aix-en-Provence is situated on a plain overlooking the Arc, about a mile from the right bank of the river. The city slopes gently from north to south and the Montagne Sainte-Victoire (a limestone mountain ridge in the south of France which extends over 10 miles) can easily be seen to the east.
Aix’s position in the south of France gives it a warm climate. It has an average January temperature of 5°C (41° F) and a July average of 22°C (70°F). It has an average of 300 days of sunshine, and only 91 of rain.
While it is partially protected from the Mistral (an atmospheric phenomenon that occurs mostly in the winter and spring in the Gulf of Lion), Aix does occasionally suffer the cold gusty conditions it brings, so pack for both warm and cool weather.
The Cours Mirabeau, a wide thoroughfare, planted with double rows of plane-trees, bordered by fine houses and decorated by fountains, divides the town into two portions. It follows the line of the old city wall. Be sure to rent a car so you are able to navigate this beautiful, historical area easily. It’s well worth a look!
The new town extends to the south and west, and the old town, with its wide but irregular streets and its old mansions dating from the 16th, 17th and 18th centuries, lies to the north.
Along this avenue you will find Les Deux Garcons, the most famous café in all of Aix. Built in 1792, it has been frequented by famous people such as Cézanne and Ernest Hemingway.
Aix is an important educational centre, hosting various faculties such as three Universities, an Institute of Political Studies, a military academy, a language school for foreign students of all levels of French proficiency, and a small program for American students studying abroad. Aix also has training-colleges, and a school of art .
There are several places in the city, which provide cheap accommodation for students. Aix-en-Provence’s churches and museums are a must-see. The church of Saint-Jean-de-Malte, dating back to the 13th century, contains some valuable pictures, and the Musée Granet, which has recently undergone restoration and was host in 2006 to an important exhibition of the works of Cézanne to commemorate the 100th anniversary of his death.
The Cathedral of the Holy Saviour (Cathédrale Saint Sauveur), which is built on the emplacement of a Roman temple, is fronted by elaborately carved doors, and is flanked on the north by an uncompleted tower.
The interior contains tapestries from the 16th century, other works of art, and, amazingly, a baptismal pool dating from the fourth century.