Aix-en-Provence (Provence-Alps-Cote D'Azur, France)

Aix-en-Provence, the former capital of Provence, is famous for its splendid mansions from the 17th and 18th centuries. Discover the old quarters and Cours Mirabeau, the main street in the city.

One of your tour highlights will be a visit to the "workroom of Cezanne", famous painter born in Aix-en-Provence, and a sightseeing tour to the foot of the Stainte Victoire Mountain to admire the sites painted in by this famous artist.

Marseille may well be the dominant metropolis of Provence but Aix-en-Provence, just 15 miles (24km) inland, is arguably the cultural and tourism capital of the province. Historically and socially the two cities are, however, at odds. Aix (pronounced "Ex") is a stunningly beautiful university town whose riches are based on agriculture and academia rather than on heavy industry. The residents of Aix are sophisticated, regarded by their counterparts in Marseille as being snobbish on a par with Parisians.

Aix possesses a wealth of superb architecture that has been carefully preserved and restored. Walking through the Cours Mirabeau and the Rue Gaston de Saporta visitors can admire the private mansions with their sculptured doors and windows and the intricate ironwork on the balconies. On the Place des Martyrs de la Résistance is the ancient Cathedral and in the neighbouring archbishop's palace is the Musée des Tapisseries.

Locality:

Located in the département of Bouches-du-Rhône, southeast France, 29 km/18 mi north of Marseille; population (1990) 126,800.