| Aix en Provence and Aixois |
| Aix en Provence - City of Art, City of Water, City of Life. |
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| One must take the time to promenade in the small streets to discover the hidden charms of this classified 17th and 18th century city. |
Terreprovence |
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Aix en Provence and Aixois - Place Albertas
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Aix en Provence and Aixois - Aix vue Ste Victoire
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| The celebrated painter Cezanne was born here in 1839 and a few souvenirs of this painter are exhibited in his atelier. |
 Aix en Provence and Aixois - Aix ruelle ocre |
 Aix en Provence and Aixois - Montagne Ste Victoire
TO VISIT:
The Mazarin quarter is situated to the south of the Cours Mirabeau. It was built between 1646 and 1651 by the Archbishop Michel Mazarin, brother of the Cardinal. Hotel de Marignane (end 17th c.), and the St. Jean de Malte church, the first aixois gothic edifice erected at the end of the 13th century. The Fountain of Four Dolphins constructed in 1667 by J-C Ribaut, is one of the prettiest in Aix.
Cloitre St. Sauveur: The Cathedral St. Sauver is a marvel of Roman art. The first rough sketches date from the 4th century. From the 5th century up until its completion in the 17th century, numerous other architectural influences were introduced. The 16th century clock tower, ancient belfry of the city, Place de l’Hotel de Ville: Particularly lively Saturday morning with the flower markets. In the south, in the ancient grain hall, the fruit and vegetable markets are open every morning. The sculptured pediment represents the Rhone and the Durance. The Hotel de Ville with its beautiful ironwork was built in 1655 by a Parisien architect, Pierre Pavillon and the Boyer d’Eguilles hotel in 1675 by Pierre Puget.
The Museum of Natural History includes collections of paleontology, both general and Provencal, plus the dinosaurs’ eggs discovered on the peaks of St. Victoire. The massif surrounds of Saint Victoire were a source of inspiration and predilection for Cezanne and for the Aixois, an inestimable natural wild space.
Cours Mirabeau is the heart of Aix. It is dotted with fountains, beautiful houses, boutiques, lively outdoor cafes and is THE place where students, artists and passer-byes meet. The large fountain of the rotunda dates from 1860 and the fountain with nine canons in the center of the Cours is dated 1691. The mossy fountain, or fountain of thermal waters, plays at 34 degrees. Dated 1734, it is situated at the level of rue Clemenceau. The fountain of King René, shown with a Muscat grape in his hand - a variety which he introduced into France - was constructed in the 19th century.
Musee Granet: The museum is situated 2.5 km west of the town on the Jas de Bouffan hill and features a superb collection of paintings. Don’t overlook eight paintings from the Cezanne Museum and tapestries from the Vasarely Foundation including 42 ‘monumental integrations’ by Vasarely.
Between Aix and Salon, to the west of Durance, the aixoise countryside features numerous small picturesque, truly authentic, market villages.
Le Puy Sainte Reparade is an agricultural village; La Roque d’Antheron, reputed by music lovers worldwide for its Piano Festival; L’Abbaye de Sylvacane is an admirably restored 7th century Cistercian abbey; Lambesc features beautiful houses and Rognes Provencal country houses.
L’Aqueduc de Roquefavour spans the Arc valley for 375 meters and is the largest stone aqueduct in the world. |
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