Aix-en-Provence, France: Things to Do, Weather and Where to Stay (2026)
Aix-en-Provence is the elegant heart of Provence: a university city of plane trees, honey-coloured mansions and more than a hundred fountains, where Cézanne was born and painted the mountain that rises over the town. It is compact, walkable and full of life, with some of the best markets in the south of France. This guide covers the best things to do in Aix-en-Provence, from the Cours Mirabeau and the old town to Cézanne's studio, Montagne Sainte-Victoire and easy day trips. For the rest of the region, see our Provence travel guide.
Short on time? The top 5 things to do in Aix-en-Provence
1. Stroll the Cours Mirabeau and stop at a café terrace
2. Shop the morning market (daily on Place Richelme, biggest on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday)
3. Get lost in the old town and the Mazarin quarter, fountain to fountain
4. Follow Cézanne to his studio and the Terrain des Peintres viewpoint
5. Hike or drive out to Montagne Sainte-Victoire
Aix-en-Provence, France: the essentials
- Where: in the south of France, about 30 km north of Marseille and 80 km south-east of Avignon, in the Bouches-du-Rhône department of Provence.
- Size: a city of about 150,000 people, with a compact, walkable historic centre.
- History: the capital of Provence in the Middle Ages, home to a university since 1409 and seat of the Parliament of Provence from 1501 to 1789, which explains its grand mansions.
- Known for: fountains, markets, Paul Cézanne, calissons and the Festival d'Aix opera festival in July.
- Getting there: about 30 to 40 minutes from Marseille by bus, and about 3 hours from Paris by TGV to Aix-en-Provence TGV station.
Things to do in Aix-en-Provence: the old town and its fountains
1. Stroll the Cours Mirabeau
Aix's grand avenue is lined with double rows of plane trees, 17th and 18th-century mansions on one side and café terraces on the other. Walk it from the Fontaine de la Rotonde to the statue of King René at the far end, then take a seat on a terrace and watch the city go by: it is the most Aixois thing you can do.
2. Go fountain hunting
Aix is called the city of a thousand fountains. Start with the monumental Fontaine de la Rotonde at the top of the Cours Mirabeau, then look for the Fontaine Moussue halfway down, covered in moss because it is fed by a warm spring, and the elegant Fontaine des Quatre-Dauphins in the Mazarin quarter.
3. Get lost in the old town
North of the Cours Mirabeau, the old town is a maze of pedestrian lanes, small squares and boutiques. Don't miss the town hall square with its clock tower, whose figures change with the seasons, and the Place des Cardeurs, lined with restaurant terraces.
4. Explore the Mazarin quarter
South of the Cours Mirabeau, this 17th-century district was laid out on a grid for the city's aristocracy. Its quiet streets are lined with grand private mansions (hôtels particuliers), and it feels a world away from the bustle of the old town.
5. Visit Saint-Sauveur Cathedral
Built over more than a thousand years, the cathedral mixes Romanesque, Gothic and Baroque styles and keeps a baptistery that goes back to the early Christian period. Its carved wooden doors and peaceful cloister are highlights.
Markets and food in Aix-en-Provence
6. Shop a Provençal market
Markets are one of the best things to do in Aix-en-Provence. The food market on Place Richelme runs every morning, and the big markets fill Place des Prêcheurs and Place de Verdun on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday mornings, with produce, cheese, olives, lavender, linen and antiques. Saturday is the liveliest. There is also a year-round flower market. Go before noon: most stalls pack up in the early afternoon.
7. Taste calissons
Aix's signature sweet is the calisson, a diamond-shaped treat of almond paste and candied melon under a layer of royal icing. Buy them from one of the traditional confectioners in the old town, where you can often watch them being made.
8. Eat on a terrace in the old town
Aix is a student city with a big food scene. Book a table on Place des Cardeurs or in the lanes around it for Provençal classics such as daube, tapenade and fresh goat's cheese, with a glass of local Coteaux d'Aix-en-Provence rosé.
Cézanne and art in Aix-en-Provence
9. Visit Cézanne's studio
Paul Cézanne was born in Aix in 1839 and worked in this hillside studio, the Atelier des Lauves, until his death in 1906. Inside you'll see the objects from his still lifes, from vases and apples to skulls. A visit takes 30 to 45 minutes. In 2026 the studio is open from 4 July to 15 November, so check the dates before you go.
10. Walk to the Terrain des Peintres
Uphill from the studio, this small park looks straight out at Montagne Sainte-Victoire, the mountain Cézanne painted over and over again. Reproductions of his paintings are placed around it so you can compare them with the real view. Go at the end of the day, when the mountain glows.
11. See the collections at the Musée Granet
The city's fine art museum covers works from the 14th century to the modern era, including paintings by Cézanne. It is closed on Mondays and opens at noon outside the summer season.
12. Visit the Caumont Centre d'Art
An 18th-century private mansion turned art centre, with major temporary exhibitions, period rooms and a lovely garden café that is perfect for a break.
Staying in Aix? Hotels in the old town fill up fast in summer and during the July festival. Compare hotels and flights for your dates.
Nature and day trips from Aix-en-Provence
13. Hike Montagne Sainte-Victoire
Cézanne's mountain rises just east of the city. The most popular trail climbs from Les Cabassols to the Croix de Provence (about 3 hours return) with huge views over Provence. From June to September access can be restricted because of fire risk, so check the daily map from the Bouches-du-Rhône prefecture before you go.
14. Join a guided visit of the Bibémus quarries
These ochre quarries are where Cézanne painted some of his most famous works. Visits are guided only and seasonal, so book through the Aix tourist office a few days ahead.
15. Take a day trip from Aix
Aix is one of the best bases in Provence. Marseille is about 30 minutes away by bus or car, Cassis and the Calanques about 45 minutes, the Luberon villages such as Lourmarin about 40 minutes, and the Valensole lavender fields about an hour (late June to mid-July). Avignon, the city of the popes, is about an hour away (see our things to do in Avignon). To combine them, follow our South of France itinerary.
Where to stay in Aix-en-Provence
Stay inside the old town or the Mazarin quarter so you can walk everywhere and enjoy the evenings on the terraces. Book early for July, when the festival fills the city. Compare options on our France hotels page.
The old town
The liveliest area, with the markets, the cathedral and most restaurants on your doorstep. Rooms can be small and some streets are noisy at night, especially at weekends, so ask for a room away from the busiest squares.
The Mazarin quarter
Quiet, elegant streets of 17th-century mansions just south of the Cours Mirabeau, a few minutes' walk from everything. Ideal for couples and a calmer stay.
La Rotonde and the station area
Practical modern hotels near the bus station and the train station, best if you arrive by shuttle or car or plan several day trips. The old town is a 5 to 10-minute walk away.
A bastide or mas in the countryside
For a pool, gardens and views of Montagne Sainte-Victoire, stay in a country house hotel or guesthouse outside the city. You will need a car, but it is a classic Provence experience, especially in summer.
Getting to and around Aix-en-Provence
- From Marseille Provence Airport: the A2 shuttle bus (formerly line 40) runs every day to Aix-en-Provence bus station in about 30 to 40 minutes, stopping at Aix TGV station on the way.
- From Paris by train: TGVs from Paris Gare de Lyon reach Aix-en-Provence TGV station, about 15 km from the centre, in around 3 hours. The A2 shuttle then takes about 20 minutes to the city centre bus station (€6 one way).
- From Marseille: bus line 50 runs frequently from Marseille Saint-Charles station to Aix bus station in 30 to 40 minutes, depending on traffic. Regional TER trains from Saint-Charles to Aix-en-Provence centre station take about 45 minutes.
- From Avignon: about an hour by car, or around 20 minutes by TGV from Avignon TGV to Aix TGV.
- By car: park in one of the underground car parks on the edge of the old town, which is largely pedestrian.
When to visit Aix-en-Provence
May, June and September are the best months: warm, sunny and less crowded. July brings the Festival d'Aix opera festival and real heat, so plan museums for the afternoon. August is busy and hot. From late November, the Christmas market and santons fair on the Cours Mirabeau make a lovely winter visit.
Aix-en-Provence weather by month
Aix has a sunny Mediterranean climate with hot, dry summers and mild winters, and nearly 2,900 hours of sunshine a year. Average daily highs and lows, and monthly rainfall (Météo-France, 1991 to 2020):
- January: 12°C / 2°C, 53 mm
- February: 13°C / 2°C, 36 mm
- March: 16°C / 4°C, 33 mm
- April: 19°C / 7°C, 58 mm
- May: 23°C / 11°C, 48 mm
- June: 28°C / 15°C, 36 mm
- July: 31°C / 17°C, 16 mm
- August: 31°C / 17°C, 34 mm
- September: 26°C / 13°C, 88 mm
- October: 21°C / 10°C, 77 mm
- November: 15°C / 6°C, 79 mm
- December: 12°C / 2°C, 51 mm
July and August often pass 35°C on the hottest days, so plan walks for the morning and evening. Autumn brings the most rain, usually in short, heavy storms rather than long grey spells. Winter days are often bright and pleasant at around 12°C, but nights are cold, and the mistral, a strong, cold north wind, can blow for several days at a time, especially in winter and spring. Pack a warm layer outside summer, even when the forecast is sunny.
Things to do in Aix-en-Provence: FAQ
How many days do you need in Aix-en-Provence?
One full day covers the old town, the markets and Cézanne's studio. Two or three days let you add Sainte-Victoire and a day trip to Cassis or the Luberon.
What is the best area to stay in Aix-en-Provence?
The old town and the Mazarin quarter, both walkable to the Cours Mirabeau, the markets and the restaurants.
Can you visit Aix-en-Provence as a day trip from Marseille?
Yes. Buses run frequently and the trip takes about 30 minutes, so a day trip from Marseille is easy.
When is the best time to visit Aix-en-Provence?
May, June and September offer warm weather with fewer crowds. Come in July for the opera festival, or in December for the Christmas market.
What is the weather like in Aix-en-Provence?
Sunny and Mediterranean. Summers are hot and dry, with average highs around 31°C in July and August, while winters are mild, around 12°C by day, but cold at night. Autumn is the rainiest season, and the mistral wind can make winter and spring days feel much colder.
How far is Aix-en-Provence from Marseille?
About 30 km. Bus line 50 takes 30 to 40 minutes from Marseille Saint-Charles station, the train about 45 minutes, and the drive about 30 minutes outside rush hour.
Is Aix-en-Provence worth visiting?
Yes. Its fountains, markets, mansions and café life make it one of the most attractive cities in Provence, and it is a great base for Marseille, Cassis, the Luberon and the lavender fields.
Plan your trip to Aix-en-Provence
Aix is easy to reach from Marseille airport and the TGV station. Compare flights and hotels for your dates and book early for summer.
More for your trip: our Provence travel guide and our South of France itinerary.
Photo credits (Wikimedia Commons): Cours Mirabeau by Pimlico27 (CC BY-SA 4.0); Fontaine du Cours Mirabeau by Georges Seguin (CC BY-SA 3.0); Provençal market by Rolf Kranz (CC BY-SA 4.0); Atelier de Cézanne by Bjs (CC BY-SA 4.0); Montagne Sainte-Victoire by Tmv (CC BY-SA 4.0).
