Aix-en-Provence: The Brainiest City in France
Aix-en-Provence, France is a small town with lots to offer. It is a city of intellectuals and high culture being King René’s Provençal capital, thus artists, lawyers and nobles flocked to Aix. EmileZola and PaulCézanne spent their youth in Aix. It is a beautiful city that beckons visitors from all over.
Best Time to Visit
Aix is exceptionally exquisite in spring and summer so there is an influx of travelers. Hotel and airfare bookings are scant and prices rise. Cost-wise, the best time to go is from December to February with many hotels offering lower rates. March to May and September through November are also good dates in terms of weather and crowd. A visit in June and July coincides with two famed musical events in Aix that are staged yearly: the Festival international d'ArtLyrique in late June and July and Musiquedans la Rue, happening in June simultaneous with the national 'Fête de la Musique.'
What to Do & Area Attractions
The Granet Museum houses a collection of more than 12,000 works with original pieces by Cézanne and Picasso. Stroll the scenic, tree-lined Cours Mirabeau in the afternoon or evening. The street is near cafes, restaurants, and shops. Saint-Sauveur Cathedral is an important national monument in France. The Atelier Cézanne is Aix’s source of pride and this is where Cézanne created most of his works. Lodgings in Aix-en-Provence are posh no matter the size. The Villa Gallici is an 18th-century country-house ambience with 21st-century five-star excellence. The Hotel De Gantes is also a wonderful option.