Aix-en-Provence facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Aix-en-Provence Ais de Provença  (Occitan)
Subprefecture and commune
Top down, from left to right: Aix Cathedral, Place d'Albertas, Pavillon Vendôme, Town Hall Clock Tower and Fontaine de la Rotonde
Flag Coat of arms
Aix-en-Provence Location in France Show map of France Aix-en-Provence Location in Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur Show map of Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur
Country	France
Region	Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur
Department	Bouches-du-Rhône
Arrondissement	Aix-en-Provence
Canton	Aix-en-Provence 1 Aix-en-Provence 2
Intercommunality	Aix-Marseille-Provence
Area 1	186.083 km2 (71.847 sq mi)
Population  (2021)	147,478
• Density	792.539/km2 (2,052.666/sq mi)
Demonym(s)	Aixois, Aquisextain, Aquisestain (masculine) Aixoise, Aquisextaine, Aquisestaine (feminine)
Time zone	UTC+01:00 (CET)
• Summer (DST)	UTC+02:00 (CEST)
INSEE/Postal code	13001 /13100, 13090
1 French Land Register data, which excludes lakes, ponds, glaciers > 1 km2 (0.386 sq mi or 247 acres) and river estuaries.

Aix-en-Provence (pronounced "Aks-on-Pro-vons"), often called simply Aix, is a lively city in southern France. It's about 30 kilometers (19 miles) north of Marseille. Once the capital of a region called Provence, it is now an important city in the Bouches-du-Rhône area. About 145,000 people live in Aix-en-Provence. People from Aix are called Aixois.

History of Aix-en-Provence

Rue Espariat in November 2013

Aix was founded in 123 BC by a Roman leader named Sextius Calvinus. He named it Aquae Sextiae because of its natural springs. This happened after the Romans destroyed a nearby Gallic (ancient French) town called Entremont. In 102 BC, a big battle took place near Aix where the Romans, led by Gaius Marius, defeated two powerful tribes, the Ambrones and Teutones.

In the 4th century AD, Aix became a major city in the Roman province of Narbonensis Secunda. Over the next few centuries, different groups like the Visigoths, Franks, Lombards, and Saracens took control of the town.

During the Middle Ages, Aix became the capital of Provence. It grew into an important center for art and learning, especially from the 12th century onwards. In 1487, Aix became part of France. In 1501, King Louis XII set up a special court called the Parliament of Provence in Aix, which lasted until 1789.

Today, archaeologists are still finding old Roman structures in Aix, like parts of a Roman amphitheater.

Geography and Climate of Aix-en-Provence

Aix-en-Provence is located in the south of France, in a valley near the Arc river. The city gently slopes downwards from north to south. To the east, you can easily see the beautiful Montagne Sainte-Victoire mountain.

Aix has a warm climate, typical of the Mediterranean climate found in southern France. This means it has hot, dry summers and mild, wet winters. The average temperature in January is about 6°C (43°F), and in July, it's around 24°C (75°F). The city enjoys about 300 sunny days a year and only about 58 days of rain. While Aix is somewhat protected from the strong, cold Mistral wind, it can still feel its cool, gusty effects sometimes.

What to See in Aix-en-Provence

The narrow streets of Aix

Les Deux Garçons

The Cathedral Cloisters

The Cours Mirabeau is a famous, wide street lined with beautiful plane trees, grand houses, and fountains. It used to be where the old city wall stood and now divides the city into two parts: the newer area to the south and west, and the older town with its narrow, winding streets and historic buildings from the 16th to 18th centuries to the north. Along this street, you'll find banks and cafes, including the famous Les Deux Garçons brasserie (a type of French restaurant). Built in 1792, it was a favorite spot for famous artists and writers like Paul Cézanne and Émile Zola.

The Cathedral of the Holy Saviour (Aix Cathedral) is in the northern, older part of Aix. It was built on the site of an ancient Roman meeting place and temple. The cathedral shows many different building styles from the 5th to the 17th centuries. It has a beautiful Gothic-style entrance with detailed wooden doors. Inside, you can see 16th-century tapestries and a 15th-century painting with King René and his wife. There's also an old baptistery (a place for baptisms) with a Renaissance-style dome supported by original Roman columns. Next to the cathedral are the archbishop's palace and a Romanesque-style cloister (a covered walkway).

Place de l'Hôtel de Ville

Saint-Jean-de-Malte

Aix also has an important Appeal Court (Palais de Justice), which is the second most important in France outside of Paris. The Aix-en-Provence Town Hall (Hôtel de Ville) is a classical-style building from the 17th century. It faces a charming square called Place de l'Hôtel de Ville and has a handsome clock-tower from 1510. Nearby is the old Corn Exchange building, built in the 1700s.

The city is also known for its natural thermal springs, which contain minerals. These springs were what first attracted the Romans to Aix, giving it the name Aquae Sextiae (Waters of Sextius). A spa was built here in 1705 near the remains of the ancient Roman baths.

South of the Cours Mirabeau is the Quartier Mazarin. This area was built in the 17th century for the wealthy people of Aix and has many beautiful old mansions. The 13th-century church of Saint-Jean-de-Malte has valuable paintings and a recently fixed organ. Next to it is the Musée Granet, a museum dedicated to European painting, sculpture, and archaeology. It has famous works by artists like Jean-Dominique Ingres and a self-portrait by Rembrandt.

Aix is often called the "city of a thousand fountains." Some of the most famous include:

• The 17th-century Fontaine des Quatre Dauphins (Fountain of the Four Dolphins) in the Quartier Mazarin.
• On the Cours Mirabeau, there's a 19th-century fountain showing King René holding Muscat grapes, which he brought to Provence.
• Also on the Cours Mirabeau, there's a natural hot water fountain (34°C or 93°F) covered in moss, which dates back to Roman times.
• At the end of the Cours Mirabeau, at a busy spot called la Rotonde, stands a large fountain from 1860 with three giant statues representing art, justice, and farming.
• Other notable fountains are in the Place d'Albertas and the Place des Trois-Ormeaux.

Aix is the hometown of the famous Post-Impressionist painter Paul Cézanne. You can follow a walking trail to see places like his childhood home, Jas de Bouffan, and his old art studio, Atelier Cézanne. The white limestone mountain Sainte-Victoire, which overlooks the city, was a frequent subject in Cézanne's paintings.

Education in Aix-en-Provence

The Institute of Political Studies (Sciences Po)

Aix has been a university town for a long time. In 1409, a royal charter (a special document from a king) allowed a university to be built here. Today, Aix-en-Provence is still an important center for learning and research. It has many schools and institutes, including:

• Arts et Métiers ParisTech, an engineering school that opened a campus in Aix in 1843.
• Aix-Marseille University, which is made up of several faculties (departments) specializing in different subjects like humanities (history, literature), economics, law, and political science.
• The Institut d'études politiques d'Aix-en-Provence (IEP), which is part of France's "Sciences Po" network of political studies universities.
• The American College of the Mediterranean (ACM), which offers American-style college programs in subjects like art, business, and French language.

Aix also has several training colleges, high schools (lycées), and a college for art and design. Many international students come to Aix for study programs.

Culture and Arts in Aix-en-Provence

Sir Simon Rattle conducting Das Rheingold in 2006

Aix-en-Provence is known for its vibrant cultural scene, especially music and dance.

Music Events

Aix hosts two major music events each year:

• Festival d'Aix-en-Provence: This is a very important opera festival, started in 1948. It is now considered one of the best opera festivals in the world. It takes place every year in late June and July. Operas are performed in beautiful venues like the outdoor Théâtre de l'Archévêché and the modern Grand Théâtre de Provence. The festival also includes a summer school for young musicians.
• Musique dans la Rue: This event happens every June, at the same time as France's national 'Fête de la Musique' (Music Festival). For a week, there are free concerts of classical, jazz, and popular music held in different streets and courtyards around the city.

Dance

The famous dance company Ballet Preljocaj has been based in Aix since 1996. In 2007, they moved into the Pavillon Noir, a special building designed for dance performances. It's one of only nineteen such centers in France.

Museums and Galleries

Vendôme Pavilion

Granet's "Pumpkin Harvest" at the Musée Granet

Paul Cézanne's studio from 1902 until his 1906 death

Aix has several interesting museums and galleries:

• Le Musée du Vieil Aix (Museum of Old Aix): This museum is in two historic mansions and tells the story of Aix and its Provençal heritage.
• Le Muséum d’Histoire Naturelle (Natural History Museum): A museum about nature and science.
• Le Musée de Tapisseries (Tapestry Museum): Located in the Archbishop's Palace, it has a collection of tapestries and furniture from the 17th and 18th centuries.
• Le Musée Granet: This museum focuses on painting, sculpture, and archaeology. It has important paintings by Jean-Dominique Ingres and a self-portrait by Rembrandt. It also features works by Paul Cézanne and many other famous artists.
• Le Pavillon de Vendôme: A 17th-century mansion that hosts art exhibitions.
• The Fondation Vasarely: A gallery dedicated to the works of Victor Vasarely, a Hungarian-born French artist known for his abstract art.
• L'atelier Cézanne (Cézanne's studio): This was Paul Cézanne's art studio. It has been kept just as it was when he died, with many of his personal items and objects he used in his paintings.
• Jas de Bouffan: This was Cézanne's father's house and grounds, now partly open to the public.

Aix also has a large library called the Méjanes, located in an old match factory. Next to it is the "Cité du Livre" (City of the Book), which has spaces for dance, cinema, and music.

Montagne Sainte-Victoire

Mont Sainte-Victoire and the Viaduct of the Arc River Valley, Paul Cézanne, 1882–1885

Mont Sainte-Victoire, Paul Cézanne, 1904–1906

To the east of Aix, you'll see the impressive Montagne Sainte-Victoire mountain, which is 1,011 meters (3,317 feet) high. It's a famous landmark of the Aix region. You can reach it from Aix by road or by walking on trails. This mountain was a favorite subject for the painter Paul Cézanne throughout his life.

In the village of Le Tholonet, on the southern side of Mont Sainte-Victoire, there's a windmill that Cézanne used. Beyond that, there's a mountain hut called the refuge Cézanne, where he liked to paint.

To the north, the mountain slopes gently down to the village of Vauvenargues. The Château of Vauvenargues (a castle) in this village was bought by the famous Spanish artist Pablo Picasso in 1958. He lived there from 1959 to 1962. Picasso and his wife are buried in the castle grounds, which are sometimes open to the public.

Mont Sainte-Victoire has many paths that lead to its summit, to a large reservoir called Bimont, and to a Roman viaduct (an old bridge-like structure) above Le Tholonet.

Sports in Aix-en-Provence

Aix-en-Provence is home to several sports teams:

• Football (Soccer): The city's team is Pays d'Aix FC. They once played in France's top league in 1967–68.
• Rugby Union: The Provence Rugby club plays in the second-tier French league.
• Handball: The Pays d'Aix Université Club Handball team competes in France's top handball league.
• American Football: The Aix-en-Provence Argonautes are one of the most successful American football teams in France, having won the top league eight times.
• Tennis: The city hosts a professional tennis tournament every May.
• Squash: Former world number one squash player Grégory Gaultier lives in Aix-en-Provence.
• Fencing: Aix hosts a junior fencing World Cup event each January. A local fencer, Erwann Le Péchoux, won a gold medal at the 2020 Summer Olympics.

Economy and Local Products

Calissons, a specialty of Aix-en-Provence

Aix-en-Provence has a diverse economy. Key activities include:

• Tourism: Many people visit Aix for its beauty and culture.
• Entertainment: Especially opera and dance, thanks to its famous festivals.
• Technology: The area around Aix, particularly in Rousset, has a growing semiconductor and electronics industry, focusing on microchip technology for things like credit cards.
• Education and Research: With its universities and institutes, Aix is a hub for learning.
• Computer Software: The software industry is also present here.
• Traditional Crafts: The making of santons, which are traditional hand-crafted figurines often used in Provençal Christmas nativity scenes.
• Olive Oil: Production of olive oil is a long-standing tradition.
• Calissons: These are famous lozenge-shaped sweets made from almonds, candied fruit, and sugar. Every September, there's a special ceremony to bless the calissons, which has been held since the 17th century to celebrate the city being saved from the plague.
• Wine Making: The region is known for its wines, especially the Coteaux d'Aix-en-Provence AOC. There's a fair for local wine producers every year on the last Sunday in July.
• Chocolate: The well-known Chocolaterie de Puyricard is located just north of Aix.
• Saffron: There's an organic saffron farm near Aix-en-Provence.

The airline Twin Jet also has its main office in Aix-en-Provence.

Population of Aix-en-Provence

Getting Around Aix-en-Provence

Aix-en-Provence TGV railway station.

Aix-en-Provence is well-connected by roads and highways to nearby towns like Avignon, Marseille, and Nice. The Marseille Provence Airport (MRS) is also close by, offering flights to many places.

For train travel, there's a high-speed train (TGV) station about 10 kilometers (6 miles) from Aix, which connects to Paris in about 3 hours. Aix also has a train station closer to the city center, with connections to Marseille and other towns. There are frequent bus services between Aix and Marseille for commuters.

Within the city, there's an affordable public bus service. The old town center of Aix is mostly for pedestrians (people walking). There are large parking garages around the edge of the old town.

Fun Facts About Aix-en-Provence

Cours Mirabeau

• The local dialect of Aix, which is rarely spoken now, is part of the Provençal dialect of the Occitan language. Many older streets in Aix have names in both Provençal and French.
• Aix was the home town of the Provence Rugby team and hosted the All Blacks rugby team during the 2007 Rugby World Cup.
• The city was part of the Marseille-Provence 2013 cultural festival, when the region was named the European Capital of Culture.
• Aix is also the site of an alleged UFO sighting and landing in 1981, which was investigated by the French Space Agency.

Sister Cities

Aix-en-Provence has "sister city" relationships with several cities around the world. This means they share cultural and educational ties.

Bath, England, United Kingdom (1977)

• Carthage, Tunisia (1993)
• Coimbra, Portugal (1982)
• Granada, Spain (1979)
• Perugia, Italy (1970)
• Tübingen, Germany (1960)

Friendship and cooperation

Aix-en-Provence also cooperates with:

Notable People from Aix-en-Provence

Notable Residents

Images for kids

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  Medieval town wall near Roman baths

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  Place des Tanneurs

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  Statue of le Roi René

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  Detail of le Roi René

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  Place des Quatre Dauphins, towards the Boulevard extérieur

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  The archbishop's palace, opera house and tapestry museum

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  Clock tower, Hotel de Ville

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  Detail of mechanical clock

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  Bureau de Poste

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  Aix Cathedral, Dome

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  Aix Cathedral

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  St Jean de Malte, rue Cardinale

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  Église de la Madeleine, place des Precheurs

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  Jas de Bouffan, Paul Cézanne

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  Jas de Bouffan, Paul Cézanne

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  The Pavillon Vendôme

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  Mural advertisement

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  Atlas on a doorway in Aix

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  The place d'Albertas

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  Fountain in the place d'Albertas

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  Door carving in Aix

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  Mechanical clock, place des Precheurs

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  Daily vegetable market, place Richelme

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  Provençal confectionery

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  Baroque fountain in Aix

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  Provençal House

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  Provençal market

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  The modern spa in Aix

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  The Vasarely Foundation

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  Rue des Cordeliers

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  Flower market on Place de l'Hôtel de Ville and the Clock Tower in Aix-en-Provence.

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  House where painter Paul Cézanne died in 1906 in Aix-en-Provence

See also

In Spanish: Aix-en-Provence para niños