Aix-en-Provence

Aix-en-Provence is based in Provence, a region in the south of France.

Introduction

Aix en Provence, le cours Mirabeau1 - Le cours Mirabeau Aix-en-Provence (usually simply called Aix) is a small, classically Provençal town, famous for being home to Cézanne; the addition of the TGV (high-speed train) station has brought lots of vacationers from the north and Aix has turned into a shopping town with high variety and representation considering its small size. Three universities and several French-language schools for international students produce a very strong student presence. Aix has always been a rich city. There is a high contrast between Marseille (only 30 km and half an hour away). Whereas Marseille is one the poorest French city's (but still a unique and not to be missed town), Aix is perhaps one of the richest. People seeking for budget or popular places should continue to Marseille. Still, Aix has a lot to offer. It is a quiet, clean and comfortable city. The town center is mostly pedestrian and, though it is quite small (you can cross the center in 15 minutes by foot), offers long hours of nice walks. As in all Provençal towns and the town center consists of narrow streets, lined with interesting buildings from 17th century hotels to paved plazas.

• Office de Tourisme - Tourist Office - 300 Av. Giuseppe Verdi 43.5258686,5.4441869 ☎ +33 4 42 16 11 61 - The tourist office is perhaps the nicest in all of southern France, with large touch-screen computers available to browse the city virtually through Google Maps.

Travel to Aix-en-Provence

43.529|5.447|lang=en

Travel by train to Aix-en-Provence

Aix has both a TGV and a regular station and is well connected both to the Paris - Marseille line and (via Marseille) to the Genoa - Nice - Barcelona line. The same shuttle that runs from the airport to Aix also services the Aix TGV station.

• Gare d'Aix-en-Provence - regular train station - Place Gustave Desplaces 43.5228774,5.4453188
• Gare d'Aix-en-Provence TGV - TGV station - Route départementale 9 43.4551619,5.3170395 15 kilometers Southwest of the city of Aix-en-Provence and 20 kilometers North of Marseille
• Gare Routière - bus station | 43.5234648,5.4404318 ☎ +33 891 024 025 - There is an express coach from Marseille (St Charles station) to Aix which takes 30–40 minutes. There are also regular shuttles to the TGV station and the airport.

Travel by plane to Aix-en-Provence

Fly into Marseille or Nice. Marseille is nearer (just south), but budget airlines such as EasyJet prefer Nice. There is a navette (shuttle bus) that can take you from the airport to the bus station near the center of town.

Travel by vehicle to Aix-en-Provence

If you come from anywhere up north you will most likely use the A7 motorway (Route du Soleil) that runs from Lyon to Marseille (whether you come from Switzerland or from the UK via Paris). At exit 27, take A8 (La Provencale) to Aix. From Spain, you'll take A9 (La Languedocienne) and then turn onto A54 through the city of Arles (you might consider stopping there) and then turn onto A7 and A8 respectively, as described above. From Italy, just take A8 passing Nice and all the posh Côte d'Azur resorts. Avoiding toll roads can be slow but highly pleasurable, many of the routes nationales offer wonderful scenery that motorways can't deliver (save maybe some parts of the A8 east of Nice). Parking in Aix can be quite difficult. There is at least one free vehicle park but allow plenty of time to find a space (and the spaces can be quite tight to get into!).

Getting around

Aix is a fairly small city and can be easily navigated by foot. The bus system is also very efficient and has numerous stops within the city as well as connecting Aix with nearby villages, towns and Marseille. The city bus also runs to [ Carrefour Les Milles, a large shopping center. Discounted tickets for frequent bus users can be purchased at the main bus station, as well as bus schedules. The ticket office also sells discounted multi-pack tickets for the bus from Aix to Marseille and the new TGV station (located between the two city's).

Sightseeing Tips

Aix-en-Provence 20110930 16 - The Cours Mirabeau at night AixProv2 - Fontaine de la Rotonde Aix-en-Provence Place d'Albertas 03 - Place d'Albertas Aix is well known for its fountains. The largest and the most popular one is on the Cours Mirabeau and the main avenue through town, as well as a moss-covered fountain which draws its water from a hot spring. Along with searching out the dozens of fountains sprawled around the town, Aix is known for its architecture. The varied and often intricate doors are a key feature, as well as the bell towers. The bell towers throughout Aix-en-Provence and Provence more generally, are made of wrought iron. This allows the strong winds of the Mistral to flow straight through them, since solid stone would be destroyed by the force of the winds. The city market runs multiple days a week, but the largest and most colorful is the Saturday market which includes a flower market at the Place de l'Hotel de Ville and the main food market is at Place Richelme. It has also become known as the home of Cézanne's later works. You can see his atelier with some of the original objects he painted into his still lives. The Bibémus Quarries allow you to see Mt. St. Victoire and the mountains he captured in many of his paintings. You can also visit the Manor of Jas de Bouffan which houses many of his masterpieces. To see all three, you need at least two days in Aix. Among the main monuments in the town are:

• Cours Mirabeau 43.526802,5.4491651 - The main promenade of the town

}} Fontaine de la Rotonde 43.5263197,5.4453778 at the bottom of the Cours Mirabeau - The biggest fontain in Aix

• Passage Agard - 43.5275255, 5.4507422 - Initially it was a Carmelite's monastery
• Hôtel de Ville - Mairie | 43.5298591, 5.4476202
• Halle de Grains 43.5296218,5.4479474 - the former Corn Exchange.
• Palais de Justice - Appeal Court | 43.5286067,5.4503453 - One of the most ones in the nation.
• Palais de l'Archevêché - Musée des Tapisseries | 43.5315781,5.4478991
• Cathédrale Saint-Sauveur - 43.5318815, 5.4472393
• Place d’Albertas - 43.5278405, 5.448736
• Monument Joseph Sec - 6 Avenue Pasteur - GPS: 43.5331571, 5.4462469 ☎ +33 4 42 91 90 00 - A rare example of an architecture of French Revolution.
• Thermes Sextius - 43.5309732, 5.4445 -

What to do as a Muslim in Aix-en-Provence

Montagne Sainte-Victoire towards roofs of Aix-en-Provence - Montagne Sainte-Victoire over the roofs of Aix Aix is a fairly quiet town, but if you really want to there can be many things to do. At the #Understand|tourist office you can learn about the more modern activities include bowling, billiards, pubs, etc. Another option is to hire a bicycle (for about €10 for five hours) and ride around Aix. Thit is a very good way to see the town that is outside the center. You can find many interesting places and buildings that you wouldn't have seen other wise. Be careful though when riding in the center of the town, since it is very crowded most of the time. There is also a bus that leaves off the Fontaine de la Rotonde for nature-hiking-in-sainte-victoire-2h30 Sainte-Victoire Mountain and you get there in ten minutes. Pack a lunch and put comfortable shoes on to do a nature walk or to climb the mountain. At the top there is a monastery where you can stay over night, make sure to bring fire wood.

Study in Aix-en-Provence

One of the campuses of Aix-Marseille University is located in the town.

Muslim Friendly Shopping

Aix has many major fashion boutiques, as well as a plethora of small clothing stores, perfumeries and tourist souvenir shops. They are complemented by a few open-air markets in large squares, offering home made and grown goods and cafes. For everyday items, look for various convenience stores, e.g., Monoprix (even on the Cours Mirabeau) with clothing/sundries at street level and a nice selection of groceries, bottled beverages, etc. on the level below.

Halal Restaurants

Please be informed that on some destination such as Aix-en-Provence we had no local Muslim that has researched some of the area. If you are a Muslim/Muslima and have been to Aix-en-Provence or would like to maintain the eHalal Guide to Aix-en-Provence, please contact us at guides@ehalal.io and email us your updates.

Aix has an incredible number of Halal restaurants compared to its small size. Most of them are gathered in a small area in the old city, between Place des Cardeurs and the Rotonde (Cours Mirabeau). Restaurants and bars on the Cours Mirabeau tend to be more expensive though, while some might be considered tourist traps, others are among the best places to eat Halal in the city. Emile Bec, which has five locations in Aix-en-Provence, is an excellent bakery. You can also try Calissons, a specialty of the region consisting of a smooth, pale yellow, homogeneous paste of candied fruit (mainly melons and oranges) and ground almonds topped with a thin layer of royal icing. Calissons have a texture not unlike that of marzipan, but with a fruitier, distinctly melon-like flavor. Calissons are often almond-shaped and are typically about two inches in length.

• Authentique - 56 Place Richelme 43.5290054,5.4481459 walk past the Hermés boutique when heading towards the fountain, make a left at a wide open space and it's the 3rd shop ☎ +33 4 42 63 10 33 - an excellent Burgers place.
• Chez Charlotte 32 Rue des Bernardines 43.527789, 5.4446711 ☎ +33 4 42 26 77 56 - a very good restaurant very famous for local residents. It proposes simple and reasonably affordable French food in a friendly atmosphere. Around €15 for a usual menu.
• Jacqou le Croquant - 2 Rue Aumône Vieille - GPS: 43.528387, 5.446735 ☎ +33 4 42 27 37 19 - a lovely restaurant, family owned, this little establishment is "very french," very friendly and perhaps the best food you'll find for around €15. It also has a courtyard in back.
• Pizza Capri chain:
• CAPRI ROTONDE 48 Rue Espariat - GPS: 43.5269323, 5.4460484 ☎ +33 4 42 24 84 73
• CAPRI FABROT 1, Rue Fabrot 43.527261, 5.4504955 ☎ +33 4 42 38 55 43
• CAPRI RICHELME | 48-50, Place Richelme 43.5296335,5.4482478 +33 4 42 21 49 01
• Crêperie 43.5260047,5.4460698 pedestrian underpass beneath Avenue Victor Hugo, as it reaches La Rotonde (Place Generale de Gaulle)

A popular place that will fill you up with delicious and authentic crêpes for only a few euros. If you really want to eat like a local and save a couple of euros, a great place to eat is the many corner restaurants that offer Doner Kebab. For four euros you get a "sandwich," wrapped in a gallette or pita, that includes lettuce, tomatoes, onion, Meat, French fries and be sure to ask for Sauce blanche. Thit is very delicious and affordable. There are some Halal restaurants that do their Kebab differently so be sure to try a few! Aix en Provence is home to the Erasmus students' food of choice. Pizzas capri located at the top of the Cours Mirabeau is perhaps the best Pizzas you will ever eat. (I would like to contest this bit about Pizzas capri. Firstly, it simply isn't that good. Secondly and the fact that EVERY single person I've met in Aix tells me that Pizzas Capri is the best leads me to believe that the Corsican Mafia, which owns Pizzas Capris, has paid off the city to promote this place because (I jest). Pizzas Capri is simply well located and affordable. It's not bad but it's nothing to visit the city for so don't buy the hype and you'll enjoy it more.) In combination with patisseries and bakeries, convenience stores (noted under "Buy" above) also offer good opportunities for economical self-catering, even for day visitors.

• Le Comté d'Aix 17 Rue de la Couronne 43.5278094,5.4456943 ☎ +33 4 42 26 79 26 - prix fixe menu.
• L'alcôve 19 Rue Constantin 43.530707,5.4505384 ☎ +33 4 42 96 47 29 - quality cuisine with an occasional twist.
• La Maison des Fondues 11-13 Rue de la Verrerie 43.5293904,5.4470059 ☎ +33 4 42 63 07 78 - offers a wide range of delicious fondues. The Normande, made with apple cider instead of kirsch, is lovely and the Provençale is sublime.
• Chez Laurette 6 Forum des Cardeurs 43.5301897,5.4474324 The food is quite modest, but they server all the day long.
• Vintrépide 48 Rue du Puits Neuf 43.5318893,5.4506189 ☎ +33 9 83 88 96 59
• Le Poivre d'Ane 40 Place Forum des Cardeurs 43.5300555,5.4460806 ☎ +33 4 42 21 32 66 - modern and experimental cuisine, 2 set menus and a la carte at a higher price
• La Chimère Café 15 Rue Bruyès 43.5280622,5.4445356 ☎ +33 4 42 38 30 00 - a lovely place for a romantic meal and Provençal-styled fare, though somewhat pricey.
• Le Zinc d'Hugo 22 Rue Lieutaud 43.5290657, 5.4453054 ☎ +33 4 42 27 69 69 - This small place has a charming atmosphere and the service is kind and the food both exquisite and innovatively, quintcrucially, Provençal. Mixed reviews by visitors. Like restaurants there are plenty of restaurants, pubs, night-clubs, etc... in Aix.

A nice and relatively affordable place to have a drink is the Bar de La Mairie on Place de la Mairie. For those who would like to meet with the local student population and the café Le Brigand might be a good choice. The prices are reasonable and the ambiance is convivial : most of the regular clients are either tourists, or students. But be sure not to arrive too late, for the place may quickly be overcrowded and you may have to drink your pint outside, without any chair or table!

• Au pet't Quart d'Heure 21 Place Forum des Cardeurs - GPS: 43.5297152, 5.4461288 +33 9 82 41 83 69 - bar

Where to stay

Independent Appartments

• L'Atelier Monclar
• 4 stars appartement in the town center. Calm, design and full equipped and the hostes will do their best to make your stay unforgettable.
• HOTEL DES ARTS Tel (0)442381177 good Quality/Price in center aix en provence
• Hotel Paul Web:
• Formule 1 - 10 km
• Etap Hotel - 10 km
• Ibis Web: aix-en-provence/index.shtml - Not center

}} Campers should find a campground establishment, rather than camping alone in a forest for example, as the area surrounding this city is known to have wolves.

• Grand Hotel Mercure du Roi René Web:
• Novotel Beau Manoir les Trois Sautets Web:
• Novotel Pont de l'Arc Fenouillères Web:
• AquaBella. Nice three star hotel with pool, garden and hammam. Breakfast included normally, served on terrace looking into gardens and swimmingpool area. Drinks fairly expensive. Nice flat easy walk to town centre.

==Telecommunication==

Stay Safe

Aix is a safe city to visit, but crime does occur there. As with all French city's, tourists in Aix should be mainly conscious of the risk of pickpockets and theft. Be aware of your surroundings. Do not leave valuables within view in parked cars. Exercise increased caution at night and use the taxis that leave from the Rotonde fountain if you are returning to the outlying neighborhoods late in the evening. Avoid public parks after dark.

Aix-en-Provence Halal Travel Guide

• Arles
• Avignon
• Marseille
• Nîmes

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