Best Things to Do in Aix-en-Provence, France

Article written by Elisa - Travel Writer & Local in France
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A walk through the lively Cours Mirabeau is a must-do on any trip to Aix-en-Provence. This tree-lined street is beautiful and appealingly relaxing and showcases some of the best restaurants, cafés, and boutiques in the city.

Popular among locals and tourists alike, this pedestrian street is nonetheless the best place for a stroll and for basking in the sun in a local café. There are also several lovely fountains along the street, like the Fontaine de la Rotonde, which only adds to the refined, elegant atmosphere.

When we visited Aix, we also found some stands selling traditional sweets and handicrafts on one side of the street, the perfect place to find a souvenir from Provence.

This unique Cathedral took twelve centuries to build and was under construction from the 5th to the 17th centuries. That’s why when you visit, you’ll notice how it blends architectural styles from Roman to Renaissance and everything in between.

Inside, you’ll find beautiful works of art, but the cathedral is still surprisingly simple compared to similar buildings. Make sure that you visit the main nave, where you’ll find artwork by Nicolas Froment, as well as the cloister, bell tower, and Baptistery. The Baptistery was built in the 6th century, and it is the oldest baptistery still working in all of France!

For a special treat, attend a service in the Cathedral to hear the graceful organ music in real life.

Address: 34, Place des Martyrs de la Résistance.

There’s no better place than a market for mingling with the locals, trying local produce, and picking up souvenirs. And the visit to any of the city’s markets (different locations) has to be on any list of what to do in Aix-en-Provence.

Lively, crowded, and popular among tourists and locals, the markets in Aix-en-Provence offer everything from farm fresh fruit and vegetables to artisan goods. The most fun of all is to wander among the stalls, chat with the shopkeepers, and keep your eyes open for something amazing. Because in these markets, you’ll never know what you might find.

Aix-en-Provence gets uncomfortably hot during the day, which is why the locals and visitors have an afternoon ritual that you should enjoy as well. After a hot day, head outside for some fresh air and pre-dinner drinks (French apéritif), along with a session of socializing and people-watching. 

You’ll find people indulging in this ritual all over the city. Usually, they’re set up in the Old Town, where you’ll find small squares that have café terraces that are perfect for this practice (click here for the most popular French drinks to try). For a bonus, try to choose a seat where you can hear the tinkling of a nearby fountain from where you sit.

Traditional Provençal cuisine is exquisitely simple and known for its bright flavors and fresh, seasonal ingredients. It’s all about preserving the tastes and textures of perfectly ripe ingredients and enjoying them with good company. That’s why some of the best things to do in Aix-en-Provence are food tours.

Getting to know the cuisine of a new city can be difficult. That’s why you should let the experts show you where and what to eat. Try this Aix-en-Provence food tour for a taste of the best cheese and wine that this part of the world has to offer.

The thermal springs are said to contain minerals and trace elements that have curative powers and boost circulation. And while you’re there, you can take a look into the past at the excavated remains of the original spa through the lobby’s glass floor.

8. Take a Wine Tour

Provence is known for its rosé wines (90% of the overall production), which are well-balanced, fresh, and fruity. However, there are also excellent red and white wines.

AOC Coteaux d’Aix-en-Provence is one of the main production areas in Provence. Here, we find limestone soil and climate a little cooler than the rest of Provence – Mediterranean but with a more continental character. The main grape varieties in AOC Coteaux d’Aix-en-Provence are grenache noir, cinsault, counoise, mourvèdre, and syrah for red wines and vermentino (50% minimum), clairette blanche, grenache blanc, sauvignon blanc, ugni blanc, bourboulenc, and sémillon for white wines.

If you have a car, many wineries in the area are open for visits (in French and English), tastings, and shopping.

In the heart of Aix-en-Provence, Château de la Gaude is a prestigious winery with 15 hectares of vines grown according to biodynamic principles. Producing wines in all three colors, you will discover our 18ᵉ century bastide and its sublime formal gardens, listed as a Historic Monument.

As its name suggests, Château Paradis is the most scenic, and its wine tours and tastings in French and English are always top-rated.

However, alcohol and driving were never friends! A safer alternative is booking a wine tour with tastings from Aix-en-Provence. These wine tours are run by knowledgeable local guides and include transportation in an air-conditioned minivan.

An excursion to Mont Sainte-Victoire must be on your list when you’re planning a weekend trip to Aix-en-Provence. This mountain is the symbol of Provence and one of Cézanne’s biggest muses and artistic challenges.

The mountain is located just a few kilometers from the city. It is dotted with historical sites like the 17th-century Sainte-Victoire Priory, the Cross of Provence, and the Saint-Ser Hermitage, a chapel built to remember a 5th-century hermit who was trying to find sanctuary in the area but was executed.

The mountain also offers astonishing views and a variety of outdoor activities, like climbing, mountain biking, and paragliding. For a really fun way to explore the mountain and the surrounding areas, take this e-bike tour with a local guide to see all the best places in the area.

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