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    • A WEEKEND IN PROVENCE

    What to do on a weekend in Aix-en-Provence: our 2- or 3-day itinerary

    Once the historic capital of Provence, Aix-en-Provence is a little gem nestled between Montpellier and Marseille. Its convenient location and manageable size make it an ideal destination for a weekend filled with historic and artistic discoveries, cultural outings, delicious food and escapes into nature.
    Spend a weekend exploring the city, its old lanes and its thousand fountains with our itinerary of the must-sees in Aix-en-Provence—any time of year.
    With good connections to several major cities, Aix-en-Provence is an easy destination for a short break. Spring and autumn are perfect for walks, while in summer it’s best to plan visits for early morning or late afternoon. With a third day, you can explore the surrounding area too, from Montagne Sainte-Victoire to Provençal vineyards and the villages of the Luberon.

    Day 1: Discover Old Aix and Provençal flavours

    For your first day, we suggest exploring the historic centre on foot. Plan a few breaks along the way to enjoy Aix’s atmosphere without rushing.

    Stop 1: Start at the market on Place Richelme

    First, head to Place Richelme to explore the stalls piled high with sun-ripened fruit and vegetables, local produce and regional specialities. Olive oil, goat’s cheese, honey, aromatic herbs… Your senses will come alive among the colourful, fragrant stalls surrounding the Fontaine du Sanglier at the centre of the square.
    The market is usually held every morning. On Saturdays, continue your stroll to the other shopping squares and discover more of the city-centre markets.

    Place Richelme market
    Address: Place Richelme, 13100 Aix-en-Provence
    Opening hours: 08:00–13:30, Monday to Sunday (except 1 January)
    Time to allow: 1 to 2 hours

    Stop 2: Wander through the historic centre

    Next, make your way to Place de l’Hôtel-de-Ville to admire the Clock Tower and its astronomical clock. Then wander through the lanes of Old Aix. Take time to admire the historic façades and the many fountains for which the city is known.
    Look out for the Fontaine de la Rotonde and the Fontaine Moussue along the way.
    To learn more about the monuments and uncover some lesser-known details, you can also join a guided tour offered by the Aix-en-Provence Tourist Office.

    Clock Tower
    Address: Tour de l’horloge, Rue Gaston de Saporta, 13100 Aix-en-Provence

    Fontaine de la Rotonde
    Address: Place du Général de Gaulle, 13100 Aix-en-Provence

    Fontaine Moussue
    Address: Cours Mirabeau, 13100 Aix-en-Provence

    Aix-en-Provence Tourist Office
    Address: 300 Av. Giuseppe Verdi, 13100 Aix-en-Provence
    Opening hours: 08:30–18:00, Monday to Saturday

    Stop 3: Visit Saint-Sauveur Cathedral

    Continue to Saint-Sauveur Cathedral. Its façade and architecture bring together several styles, reflecting the changes it has undergone over the centuries.
    Inside, take a closer look at the baptistery and the works of art, as well as the cloister when it’s open to visitors.
    This visit offers a deeper insight into the religious and architectural history of Aix-en-Provence. We also recommend leaving a little extra time to enjoy the surrounding neighbourhood.

    Saint-Sauveur Cathedral
    Address: 4 Pl. des Martyrs de la Resistance, 13100 Aix-en-Provence
    Opening hours: 08:00–18:30, Monday to Sunday

    Stop 4: Sample Aix’s specialities

    No visit to Aix is complete without trying a calisson! This sweet, made with almonds and candied melon and topped with a thin icing, is one of Provence’s iconic treats. Stop by a renowned shop such as Weibel or Béchard to try one and pick up a few boxes to give as gifts.
    For more local treats, look for Provençal specialities at the confectioners’ shops and delicatessens in the centre, including Le Roy René, Léonard Parli and Brémond.

    Pâtisserie Béchard
    Address: 12 Cr Mirabeau, 13100 Aix-en-Provence
    Opening hours: 08:00–19:00, Tuesday to Saturday

    Roy René
    Address: 11 Rue Gaston de Saporta, 13100 Aix-en-Provence
    Opening hours: 09:30–13:00 and 14:00–19:00 on Monday,
    09:30–19:00 Tuesday to Saturday,
    10:00–13:00 and 14:00–18:00 on Sunday

    Léonard Parli
    Address: 35 Av. Victor Hugo, 13100 Aix-en-Provence
    Opening hours: 09:30–19:00, Monday to Saturday

    Confiserie Brémond
    Address: 16ter Rue d’Italie, 13100 Aix-en-Provence
    Opening hours: 10:00–19:00 Monday to Saturday,
    10:30–14:00 and 14:30–18:00 on Sunday

    Maison Weibel
    Address: 2 Rue Chabrier, 13100 Aix-en-Provence
    Opening hours: 07:30–19:00, Monday to Saturday

    Stop 5: Have lunch in the city centre

    At lunchtime, settle in at a terrace to enjoy the mild southern weather, or choose a local restaurant serving Provençal-inspired cuisine. Depending on the season, look out for sun-ripened vegetables, aromatic herbs and regional produce.
    To try some local favourites, check the menu for daube provençale, petits farcis, vegetable tian or pistou soup. Start with a tasty tapenade or aïoli as an aperitif.
    To avoid disappointment, remember to book your table in advance and make the most of your lunch break.

    Stop 6: Explore the Mazarin district

    After lunch, head to the Mazarin district, south of Cours Mirabeau. Its streets, lined with town mansions inspired by Italian Renaissance architecture, have an elegant atmosphere that differs from the older lanes in the centre. Rue d’Italie, the city’s oldest thoroughfare, runs through the district.
    Pause at the Fontaine des Quatre-Dauphins, one of the district’s landmarks, then visit Saint-Jean de Malte Church, the oldest Gothic church in Provence, before continuing your stroll.

    Place des Quatre-Dauphins
    Address: Place des 4 Dauphins, 13100 Aix-en-Provence

    Saint-Jean de Malte Church
    Address: 24 Rue d’Italie, 13100 Aix-en-Provence
    Opening hours: 09:00–12:00 and 15:00–18:00 daily except Thursday

    Stop 7: Visit Hôtel de Caumont – Centre d’Art

    Among the town mansions in the Mazarin district, you’ll find Hôtel de Caumont, an 18th-century listed historic monument that hosts temporary art exhibitions. Wander through its elegant salons and admire the beautiful paintings on display.
    To plan your visit, we recommend checking the exhibition programme and booking tickets before you go.

    Hôtel de Caumont – Centre d’Art
    Address: 3 Rue Joseph Cabassol, 13100 Aix-en-Provence
    Opening hours: 10:00–18:00, Monday to Sunday
    Time to allow: 2 hours

    Day 2: Follow in Cézanne’s footsteps and discover modern art

    Aix-en-Provence is inseparable from Paul Cézanne, whose work is closely connected to the landscapes of the region. This second day invites you to explore his world, then discover other forms of art.

    Stop 1: Step inside Cézanne’s studio

    On the hill of Les Lauves, Cézanne’s studio, also known as his “last studio”, offers a glimpse into the place where the painter worked every day. The house has been preserved as it was, revealing his creative surroundings and attachment to Aix-en-Provence through his tools, models and familiar objects.

    Atelier des Lauves
    Address: 13 avenue Paul Cézanne, 13100 Aix-en-Provence
    Opening hours: 10:00–17:00 daily
    Time to allow: 1 hour
    Online booking required

    Stop 2: Discover the Vasarely Foundation

    Step into a different world at the Vasarely Foundation, dedicated to Victor Vasarely, a leading figure in Op art. His monumental works play with geometric shapes, colours and optical illusions. The museum is housed in an architectural work that pays tribute to Vasarely’s art and is listed as a historic monument.
    The contrast with Cézanne’s world makes these two visits a perfect complement to one another.

    Vasarely Foundation
    Address: 1 Avenue Marcel Pagnol, 13090 Aix-en-Provence
    Opening hours: 10:30–17:30, Wednesday to Sunday
    Time to allow: 1½ to 2 hours

    Stop 3: Have lunch and take a break at Parc Jourdan

    Head back towards the centre for lunch, then relax among the trees at Parc Jourdan. If the weather is fine, enjoy a short stroll along its paths—a lovely way to take a break between visits.

    Parc Jourdan
    Address: Avenue Jules Ferry, 13100 Aix-en-Provence
    Opening hours: 08:30–19:00, Monday to Sunday

    Stop 4: Explore the art collections at Musée Granet

    The Musée Granet brings together paintings and sculptures ranging from ancient to modern art. Here, you can deepen your understanding of Cézanne and see his work in a wider artistic context.

    Musée Granet
    Address: Place Saint-Jean de Malte, 13100 Aix-en-Provence
    Opening hours: 10:00–18:00, Tuesday to Sunday
    Time to allow: 1½ to 2 hours

    Stop 5: Enjoy one last stroll through the historic centre

    Round off your weekend, packed with history, art and culture, with one last short stroll through the city-centre shopping streets. Browse a craft shop, pick up a few calissons or enjoy a drink on a terrace before dinner.

    Day 3: What to do around Aix-en-Provence

    If you’re staying longer, use this third day to explore the surrounding area. Choose a theme to suit you: history, art, local food or nature.

    Option 1: Visit the Camp des Milles Memorial Site

    Once a tile factory, this site became a place of internment during the Second World War. Today, it tells the story of persecution, internment and deportation.
    After your visit, have lunch nearby or return to Aix for a relaxing stroll.

    Option 2: Discover the landscapes that inspired Cézanne

    Start at Jas de Bouffan, the painter’s former family home. In the afternoon, take a guided tour of the Bibémus Quarries or head out to a viewpoint overlooking Montagne Sainte-Victoire.
    These landscapes help you better understand the connection between Cézanne’s work and the Provençal countryside.

    Option 3: Discover the flavours of Provence

    The Musée du Calisson du Roy René explores the history, ingredients and production of this iconic sweet. Take time to visit the gardens and shop too.
    Back in the city centre, continue your food trail through bakeries, confectioners’ shops and delicatessens.

    Option 4: Get outdoors around Montagne Sainte-Victoire

    Montagne Sainte-Victoire is one of the great landscapes of the Aix region. Choose a walk or hike suited to your fitness level and the conditions on the day.
    You can also add a visit to the area around Bimont Dam.

    How to get to Aix-en-Provence and get around during your weekend

    Getting here by train or car

    Aix-en-Provence is easy to reach by train, with a station in the city centre and a TGV station outside the city. If you arrive by TGV, allow time for a connection to the centre and check the shuttle timetable.

    A car gives you more freedom to explore the surrounding area, particularly Montagne Sainte-Victoire and places on the outskirts. For a visit to the historic centre, however, it’s best to park in a suitable car park and continue on foot.

    Getting around

    The historic centre is easy to explore on foot, letting you enjoy the lanes, squares and fountains without making extra journeys. To reach places outside the centre, find out about public transport and other ways to get around.
    If you’re planning a hike or several trips around Aix, a car can make things easier. Either way, leave some time between visits for unexpected discoveries.

    Where to stay for a weekend in Aix-en-Provence

    To make the most of your weekend in Aix-en-Provence, choose accommodation that makes it easy to explore the city while giving you a peaceful place to unwind.

    If you’re looking for a comfortable, convenient base for exploring Provence, Aix-en-Provence Campsite – CityKamp is a great choice.

    Set in a leafy location on the edge of the city, this 4-star campsite offers a range of accommodation, from Toile & Bois tents to chalets and wooden trailers, as well as pitches for tents, vans and motorhomes.

    You’ll have all the comfort you need for a short stay, along with practical facilities and services, including a heated swimming pool, free secure parking and breakfast.
    Ready to plan your stay? Explore the accommodation and services at Aix-en-Provence Campsite – CityKamp and choose the option that suits you for your next Provençal weekend.

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