What to do in Aix-en-Provence ?
At Villa Amara, your charming hotel, experience your stay in Aix-en-Provence like a local. Situated in the heart of the city, the villa offers you plenty of opportunities to discover and enjoy its riches. Just a few minutes’ walk away, you’ll find the markets, the finest cafés, the best restaurants, museums (Hôtel Caumont, Musée Granet, etc.), theatres (the Grand Théâtre, the Théâtre de l’Archevêché, the Pavillon Noir, etc.), as well as the Palais de Justice and the Palais des Congrès.
Walking in Aix-en-Provence
Strolling through the city
Once you’ve put down your bags at Villa Amara, the city opens up to you. Enjoy the atmosphere, the ambience and the beauty of the architecture. Aix-en-Provence is a town full of charm, and every street has its own history.
Discover the city's boutiques
Aix-en-Provence is also adored by the locals for its chic ready-to-wear boutiques. You’ll find some of France’s top fashion brands, as well as plenty to satisfy your cultural tastes thanks to the city’s many bookshops, and your sweet tooth with concept stores that combine the art of living with Provençal gastronomy. Find out more about Aix’s boutiques on the city’s website.
Coffee in Aix-en-Provence
There are plenty of cafés in Aix-en-Provence to enjoy a drink and take advantage of the city’s energy, whether it’s early morning or mid-afternoon. Place Richelme, Place des Cadreurs, Cours Mirabeau and Cours Sextius are just some of them. When you’re out and about, don’t hesitate to take a seat in one of the cafés on Place de l’Hôtel de Ville, rue Espariat or rue Chabrier.
Which cafés in Aix?
The fine 1988 book Aix-en-Provence: A Stroll Through Time humorously evokes “the superiority of the seated man”: historically, the people of Aix strolled along the Cours Mirabeau to see and be seen, the spectators being those comfortably seated on the café terraces that line the course. Looking for your favourite café? Find it and enjoy the Aix-en-Provence show.
Some cafés on Cours Mirabeau
Our favourite café is Le Grillon, with its beautiful wrought-iron veranda. Its croissants come directly from the Béchard patisserie, one of the best in Aix.
In a few months’ time, you’ll also be able to find Aix-en-Provence’s legendary café, Les Deux Garçons, which is currently being renovated.
Café l’Unic, Place Richelme
If you want to be at the centre of life in Aix, there’s nothing better than sitting at a table in the café l’Unic during market hours. With the stalls of market gardeners and the comings and goings of passers-by, you’ll be in tune with the rhythm of Aix’s morning life.
For years, if you wanted to feel at the centre of life in Aix, you’d sit for hours at a table at Unic. We’d watch the market gardeners and the people doing their shopping. And it was like coming into harmony with the rhythm of the city.
Aix-en-Provence markets
Cézanne’s hometown is famous for its many markets. Here are the times and addresses of the various markets in Aix-en-Provence.
- FLOWER MARKET
Place de l’Hôtel de Ville Tuesday – Thursday – Saturday: 8am to 1pm
- FLOWER MARKET
Place des Prêcheurs Sunday: 8am to 1pm
- FORAIN MARKET
Cours Mirabeau and Place Verdun Monday – Tuesday – Thursday – Saturday: 8am to 1pm
- FRUIT & VEGETABLE MARKET
Place Richelme Monday to Sunday: 8am to 1pm
- FRUIT & VEGETABLE MARKET
The three squares that make up Aix-en-Provence’s Quartier Comtal – Place de Verdun, Place des Prêcheurs and Place Madeleine: Tuesday – Thursday – Saturday: 8am to 1pm
We invite you to visit the town’s website for more information www.aixenprovence.fr
Villa Amara, your charming hotel, provides a wicker basket in each flat for your shopping.
The architecture of the city
The city of Aix-en-Provence, which has been a spa town since ancient times, boasts a rich cultural heritage and is a major tourist attraction. A city of water above all, it was nicknamed the “City of a Hundred Fountains” by Marcel Pagnol.
The Wikipedia article provides an exhaustive list of all the places to discover and visit: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aix-en-Provence
Here you will find religious buildings such as Saint-Sauveur cathedral and its cloister, as well as numerous town houses, including the Hôtel d’Estienne-de-Saint-Jean (rue Gaston-de-Saporta) and the Hôtel de Castillon (dating from the 18th century, located at 21 cours Mirabeau).
The city's museums
Aix-en-Provence has a number of museums that contribute to the city’s cultural reputation. The most famous is the Musée Granet. It has been joined in recent years by the beautiful Hôtel de Caumont.
Located opposite the church of Saint-Jean-de-Malte, the building dates back to the 17th century.
The Musée des Tapisseries houses a vast collection from the former archbishop’s palace.
Rue Gaston-de-Saporta has been home to the Musée du Vieil-Aix, housed in the Hôtel d’Estienne-de-Saint-Jean, since 1933.
3, rue Joseph-Cabassol, a must-see for both the venue and the exhibitions on offer.
In the centre of the town, a former mansion houses the Pavillon de Vendôme-Dobler museum.
The Paul-Arbaud museum has a collection of earthenware.
On the outskirts of Aix-en-Provence lies the Vasarely Foundation, built in 1973 in Jas-de-Bouffan.
Music and theatre in Aix-en-Provence
Festivals in Aix
Aix offers a vast cultural programme throughout the year. There are plays, operas and festivals.
In summer, the town plays host to the International Festival of Lyric Art. Find out more about the programme on their website:
If you stay at Villa Amara, your charming hotel, during the spring, you can discover the literary festival “Le Printemps des Lettres Méditerranéennes” or “Les Rencontres du neuvième art”.
Nô Theatre, a world exception
Another must-see is the Nô Theatre in Parc Saint Mitre. It is unique in the world as it is the only Japanese Noh theatre made of cypress wood, original, built and used in the Land of the Rising Sun, outside the archipelago. The adjacent Japanese garden is also well worth a visit. For full details, visit the town’s website:
As you will have realised, staying at your charming Villa Amara hotel means being at the heart of the dynamic city of Aix-en-Provence, to your great delight.
Enjoy your stay at Villa Amara, your charming private hotel in Aix-en-Provence.
