You program a small road trip in the Luberon and Provence or a relaxing stay and wish visit Aix en Provence in 1 day ? So why not do it by following a walking tour to discover Aix en Provence in 1 day !
With my walking route and its interactive map you can, while walking, visit the most beautiful tourist sites in Aix en Provence.
Why visit Aix en Provence?
Only 25 km north of Marseille and very well connected, Aix en Provence is practical as a weekend or sunny holiday destination. You just have to imagine the place to understand that you want to go there!
Close your eyes and visualize the lavender fields, the sun reflecting on the golden facades of the pretty alleys, the café terraces where you can relax while tasting calissons, the Provencal market with the scent of flowers, olives or of cheeses… You see, just imagine and we want to go! In my opinion, Provence is worth most beautiful destinations in the world because it brings that little extra: the Provençal art of living.
Urban artist Aix en Provence is a city with a very rich architectural and artistic heritage. It is notably the city of Paul Cézanne. The Tourist Office offers a marked route that allows you to admire the sites of the city that inspired it (see below). Note that the majority of these sites are integrated in my circuit.
How to visit Aix en Provence in 1 day?
Aix en Provence is an ideal tourist destination for a short weekend but also for a day trip. Indeed, Aix en Provence is a small town (less than 200 inhabitants) which is not very large.
To visit Aix en Provence in 1 day, you can, according to your wishes:
- Book a private tour of Aix en Provence with a guide
- ou take a walking tour on your own by following my circuit. Indeed, my itinerary is done in 1 day and allows you to see the essentials of Aix en Provence at your own pace.
How to visit Aix en Provence on foot?
Not all of the city's must-see sites are far from each other. As a result, it is easy to visit Aix en Provence on foot in 1 day. You just have to follow a tourist circuit to be done on foot to visit, soak up the atmosphere of the streets and to enjoy gourmet breaks!
Yes, but what to see in Aix en Provence in 1 day, which route to visit the city on foot?
What to see in Aix en Provence in 1 day
To work out my little one walking route, I listed and organized the essential sites of Aix en Provence to make one loop circuit :
- Aix en Provence market
- Town Hall Square
- Cours Mirabeau
- Hotel de Caumont
- Mazarin district
- Granet Museum
- Madeleine Church
- Chapel of the Ursulines of Aix-en-Provence
- Saint-Sauveur Cathedral
- Joseph Sec monument
- Cezanne workshop
- Pavillon Vendôme
- Bastide of Jas de Bouffan
- Sextius thermal baths
Visit Aix en Provence on foot - Route map
The route below represents 6,4 km of walking during the day that I shared as follows: 2,8 km in the morning + 3,6 km in the afternoon.
Click on "More options" in the map below to switch to GPS mode
Aix en Provence in 1 day - My tour
To make the most of your day of sightseeing, I advise you to start my tour very early in the morning before the arrival of the tourist buses ... Especially since if it's a Saturday, you can start with a magnificent Provencal market.
Aix en Provence in 1 day - Morning stages
Aix-en-Provence market
To discover the animation, the smells, the local products of the markets of Provence, you have to go to the open air market Place Jeanne d'Arc. Then head to the town hall, just a 3-minute walk away.
Town Hall Square
First stop on my tourist circuit, the Place de l'Hotel de Ville is located in the old town of Aix en Provence in the heart of a very pleasant pedestrian area! This is where a colorful flower market is held!
Cours Mirabeau
The Cours Mirabeau which dates from the 17th century represents the heart of Aix en Provence. On this beautiful, busy and lively avenue, you will discover fountains, cafes, shops and beautiful mansions. At the end of the Cours Mirabeau, you will see in particular the large Fontaine de la Rotonde which attracts many tourists.
And just opposite, on the Place de la Rotonde, you will meet Cézanne. And yes, a pretty statue of the painter reminds us that the artist lived here.
My tour now takes us 100 meters further on the opposite street to the Hôtel de Caumont.
Hotel de Caumont
The Caumont hotel (now an art center) is a superb 18th century mansion located in the heart of the Mazarin district.
This district was the place of residence of the upper middle class in the 17th and 18th century. It has preserved museums, historical monuments and many very elegant and colorful mansions.
To start discovering Paul Cézanne, do not miss the space dedicated to him at theCaumont hotel and where some of his works are exhibited.
Granet Museum
A 5-minute walk away, you will arrive at the Granet Museum adjoining the Chapel of the White Penitents. Personally, I did not visit it because the museum was closed. But I know that this museum of fine arts houses superb collections (over 12 works).
Madeleine Church
Just a short stop in front of this magnificent facade which dates from the 19th century before reaching the Saint-Sauveur Cathedral, a 10-minute walk away.
Chapel of the Ursulines of Aix-en-Provence
This adorable Chapel can be discovered from rue Mignet where it appears as a wonderful surprise ...
Saint-Sauveur Cathedral
Here is a must visit in Aix en Provence: Saint Sauveur Cathedral and its cloister. The Cathedral which has been remodeled over the centuries is a mixture of architectural styles from different eras.
Joseph Sec monument
We stumbled upon it by chance while curious and entering the interior courtyard of a beautiful mansion at n ° 8 Avenue Pasteur. What a surprise when we discovered this 18th century gem!
We learned that it is the Joseph Sec mausoleum dedicated to the municipality of Aix en Provence as an observer of the law… See on Wikipedia: Who was Joseph Sec?
Which restaurant for noon?
For a quick but nice lunch break (right next to the Cathedral), I recommend a “canteen-bistro”: theFrench aperitif. You will taste good products (cold meats, toast, pies, cheeses, etc.).
Aix en Provence in 1 day - Afternoon stages
The Cézanne Atelier
After walking for a quarter of an hour, you will reach the Atelier Cézanne.
Painter from Aix-en-Provence, Paul Cézanne lived his youth and the end of his life in Aix. The Atelier Cézanne is where he produced many works from 1902 until his death. This workshop has been kept as it was at the time of the painter's death. You will discover many objects that belonged to the painter, brushes, frock coats but also temporary art exhibitions.
The land of painters
Very close to Cézanne's studio, there are 9 reproductions on lava of representations of the Sainte Victoire mountain painted by Paul Cézanne.
This is where Cézanne came to paint because he had the best view of the Montagne Sainte Victoire.
To get there, take the Chemin de la Marguerite (15 minutes walk from the Atelier).
The Vendôme Pavilion
Surrounded by a superb park (French garden and rose gardens), the Pavillon de Vendôme is one of the most beautiful monuments in Aix en Provence. Its facade is particular with ornaments of baroque Atlanteans, garlands of fruit and a mascaron.
A former private mansion, it now houses the Pavillon de Vendôme museum.
The Bastide of Jas de Bouffan
To come back in the footsteps of Paul Cézanne, head for the Bastide du Jas de Bouffan after a 15-minute walk. Purchased in 1859 by Cézanne's father, this building was the painter's family property until 1899.
Weekend in Aix en Provence - Holiday home
If you are looking for a house to enjoy the outdoors while being very close to the center of Aix en Provence, I know a good address.
It is a small house with terrace and garden completely renovated, with 2 bedrooms and fully equipped for a good stay with the family or as a couple.
See this house in Aix en Provence
Weekend in Aix en Provence - Hotel
If you prefer to stay in a good hotel right in the center of Aix en Provence, then maybe theAquabella Hotel & Spa will please you. Small important detail if you come by car: there is a parking lot!
Another cool city to visit in France in a weekend?
Why not a weekend in Bordeaux
or the Avignon visits and Arles
another getaway to Marseille
Excelente a tua forma de expor, a tua praticidade nos relatos. Ajuda muito para quem quer fazer um Programa de Viagem. Parabens!
This comment was ordered by you and was encouraging.