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Aix-en-Provence

geography Maturity 11-13 Next article →

Aix-en-Provence is a beautiful city in southern France.

Aix en Provence station from the air
Aix en Provence station from the air

It sits on a plain near the Arc river. You can see the Montagne Sainte-Victoire mountain to the east.

Montagne Sainte-Victoire, par Paul Cézanne 109
Montagne Sainte-Victoire, par Paul Cézanne 109

The city has a warm Mediterranean climate. It enjoys about 300 days of sunshine every year.

2016 Aix-en-Provence - Le cours Mirabeau
2016 Aix-en-Provence - Le cours Mirabeau

Sometimes the Mistral wind brings cool and gusty weather. The city is home to about 148,000 people. These people are often called Aixois.

Walking through the city feels like stepping into history. The Cours Mirabeau is a very famous wide street.

2016 Aix-en-Provence - Le cours Mirabeau
2016 Aix-en-Provence - Le cours Mirabeau

It is lined with double rows of plane trees. You will see fine houses and many beautiful fountains. The street divides the town into two main parts. The old town has narrow and irregular streets.

Narrow streets of Aix en Provence 2
Narrow streets of Aix en Provence 2

The newer part of town extends to the south and west. Many old mansions from the 16th to 18th centuries stand here.

This city has a very long and busy history. A Roman named Sextius Calvinus founded it in 123 BC.

Traditional Aix cobbled square with shutters closed and a fountain
Traditional Aix cobbled square with shutters closed and a fountain

He named the city after its natural springs. In 102 BC, a large battle happened nearby. During the Middle Ages, Aix was the capital of Provence. It became a great center for art and learning after the 12th century. In 1501, Louis XII set up a parliament there. This important group stayed in the city until 1789.

Aix is often called the city of a thousand fountains.

Traditional Aix cobbled square with shutters closed and a fountain
Traditional Aix cobbled square with shutters closed and a fountain

Some fountains are very old and use natural hot water. This water is about 34 °C. One famous fountain was built in 1667. It is called the Fontaine des Quatre Dauphins.

Traditional Aix cobbled square with shutters closed and a fountain
Traditional Aix cobbled square with shutters closed and a fountain

Another large fountain stands at La Rotonde. It was built in 1860 with three giant statues. These statues represent art, justice, and agriculture.

Many people visit Aix to learn and enjoy art. It has been a university town for a very long time.

Aix-en-Provence Institut etudes politiques 20061227
Aix-en-Provence Institut etudes politiques 20061227

A royal charter for a university was granted in 1409. Today, many different schools and research centers are here. The famous painter Paul Cézanne was born in this city.

He loved to paint the nearby mountain. You can still visit his old studio today. The city also hosts a famous opera festival every summer.

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🖼️ Images & Media (18)
File:Aix (52402216).jpeg
Aix (52402216).jpeg
File:Aix en Provence station from the air.jpg
Aix en Provence station from the air.jpg
File:Narrow streets of Aix en Provence 2.jpg
Narrow streets of Aix en Provence 2.jpg
File:Aix- café des deux garçons.jpg
Aix- café des deux garçons.jpg
File:Aix - cloître St Sauveur.JPG
Aix - cloître St Sauveur.JPG
File:Traditional Aix cobbled square with shutters closed and a fountain.jpg
Traditional Aix cobbled square with...
File:Hoteldeville-aix.JPG
Hoteldeville-aix.JPG
File:L'Eglise St-Jean de Malte - Place St Jean de Malte - Aix-en-Provence.jpg
L'Eglise St-Jean de Malte - Place St Jean...
File:Aix-en-Provence Institut etudes politiques 20061227.jpg
Aix-en-Provence Institut etudes...
File:Rattle BPH-Rittershaus1-Wikipedia.jpg
Rattle BPH-Rittershaus1-Wikipedia.jpg
File:Aix-Pavillon Vendôme-bjs180804-06.jpg
Aix-Pavillon Vendôme-bjs180804-06.jpg
File:François Marius Granet - La récolte des citrouilles à la Bastide de Malvalat.jpg
François Marius Granet - La récolte des...

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