Aix en Provence (Bouches-du-Rhône)

Aix en Provence - Hotel de Ville

Aix en Provence (Bouches-du-Rhône) mini guide

Aix en Provence is often referred to as the city of a thousand fountains. Among the most notable are the seventeenth century Fontaine des Quatre Dauphins (Fountain of the Four Dolphins) in the Quartier Mazarin, designed by Jean-Claude Rambot, and three of the fountains down the central Cours Mirabeau which is a wide avenue following the line of the old city wall and divides the new and old towns.

Along this avenue, which is lined on one side with banks and on the other with cafés, is the Deux Garçons, the most famous brasserie in Aix. Built in 1792, it has been frequented by the likes of Cézanne, Zola and Hemingway.

The old town of Aix en Provence which dates from the 16th, 17th and 18th centuries lies to the north of the Cours Mirabeau.

The Cathedral of the Holy Saviour (Cathédrale Saint Sauveur) is situated to the north in the medieval part of Aix. Built on the site of a former Roman forum and an adjacent basilica, it contains a mixture of all styles from the 5th to the 17th century and is well worth a visit.