The origins of the city go back to Roman times when the natural springs found favour with Consul Sextius Calvinus and as a settlement on the frontline of the empire the threat of conflict was never far away. In 102BC the battle of Aquae Sextiae took place in which the Roman legions finally stamped their authority over Germanic and Gallic tribes and the subsequent mass suicide of captured women has passed into legend. As Narbonensis Secunda the town remained an important settlement in the Empire until it was occupied by the Visigoths in 477 and in succeeding centuries it became a pawn in the power-play of the Franks, Lombards, Saracens and the royal houses of Barcelona, Aragon and Anjou. It flourished in the Middle Ages as the capital of Provence, witnessing the construction of the cathedral in the 12th century and becoming a centre for the arts and learning with the foundation of the university in 1409.
Aix and the rest of Provence finally became part of the kingdom of France in 1487 and until 1789 the city was the home of the Parliament of Provence and as such it became the focus for culture, science and governance. Although the parliament was dissolved during the Revolution the city’s reputation as an intellectual centre remained and the 19th century saw the establishment of several academic institutions and museums including the Musée Granet.
Paul Cézanne was born in 1839 and although it was not until the later years of his life that he became a widely recognised artist, his reputation as one of the giants of nineteenth and twentieth century art is now firmly established and has given Aix a pivotal place in the history of modern art. The city has recognised this legacy and celebrates it by promoting several Cézanne-related sites including his family home, his studio and the site of the Bibémus quarries all of which were inspirations for many masterpieces.
HOW TO GET TO AIX-EN-PROVENCE By air The most convenient local airport is Marseille-Provence International Airport which is well-served by air services from the UK including daily flights from London Heathrow (British Airways), London Gatwick (Easy Jet) and London Stansted (Ryanair). It is then possible to take a bus from the airport to Marseilles St Charles railway station and then a train to Aix with a journey time of approximately 40 minutes. By train Aix-en-Provence TGV is the nearest TGV station with regular connections from Paris Gare de Lyon. The old town is then a 25 minute bus ride or 15 minute taxi ride. Alternatively take the TGV to Marseille St Charles and then the local train to Aix as mentioned above. By bus Aix is well served by international, national and regional bus services. By car Aix is at the centre of the motorway network in south-east France with the A8 or “la Provençale” passing close by. The town is also conveniently situated for the A51, A7/A6, A52/A50 and A54.
Tourist information in Aix-en-Provence Les Allées Provençales 300 Avenue Giuseppe Verdi, BP 40160, 13605 Aix-en-Provence cedex 1 Tel: +33(0)4 42 161 161 Website: www.aixenprovencetourism.com E-mail: accueil@aixenprovencetourism.com Open: January–March Monday–Saturday 08.30–18.00; Closed: Sundays and public holidays Open: April–September Monday–Saturday 08.30–19.00; Sundays and public holidays 10.00–13.00 and 14.00–18.00; Closed 1 May Open: October–December Monday–Saturday 08.30–18.00; Closed Sundays and public holidays; Closing 17.00 on 24 and 31 December
MUSEUMS AND PLACES OF INTEREST
The main focus of this article is a description of the four principal sights relating to the life and work of Paul Cézanne – the Bastide du Jas de Bouffan (family home), his atelier (studio), the Terrain des Peintres (viewing area) and the Bibemus Quarries – and there is a separate page dedicated to this. On this page there follows a list of other principal sights in the city, some of which have relevance to the artist.
Musée Granet The museum is named after the
artist François-Marius Granet who was a generous benefactor of the
collection but it’s history goes back to pre-revolutionary times when
Aix was the seat of the Provençal parliament and as such was an
important centre of the arts. The main museum occupies the former Priory
of the Order of Malta and this houses various collections including
European painting from the 14th–18th centuries, French 19th century
painting and sculpture including work by Ingres and Granet,
archaeological artifacts and an important display of original work by
Paul Cézanne. An impressive collection of 20th century painting and
sculpture is displayed in a recently created annexe housed in the former
Chapel of the Pénitents Blancs des Carmes. The heart of this new
presentation is the collectionof the artist Jean Planque. The picture shown is Sainte-Victoire vue d’une cour de ferme au Malvalet by Granet. Musée Granet Place Saint Jean de Malte, 13100 Aix-en-Provence Granet XXe (Collection Jean Planque) Place Jean-Boyer (top of rue du Maréchal-Joffre), 13100 Aix-en-Provence Tel: +33 (0)4 42 52 88 32 E-mail: via website Website: www.museegranet-aixenprovence.fr Open: 21 June–13 October Tuesday–Sunday10.00–19.00, 14 October–20 June Tuesday–Sunday 12.00–18.00. Closed: Every Monday and January 1, May 1 and December 25. There is an entry fee.
Fondation Vasarely Victor Vasarely was an internationally recognised master of the Optical Art movement and his vision is presented in this building designed and financed by the artist. There are 44 monumental works on show and there are occasional special exhibitions. Jas de Bouffan, 13096 Aix-en-Provence Tel: +33 (0)4 42 20 01 09 Fax : +33 (0)4 42 59 14 65 E-mail: via website Website: www.fondationvasarely.org Open: Every day including public holidays 10.00–18.00 There is an entry fee.
Hôtel de Caumont This is an impressive 18th century mansion located in the historic Mazarin district and now houses a venue for temporary art exhibitions and other cultural events. 3 Rue Joseph Cabassol, 13100 Aix-en-Provence Tel: +33 (0)4 42 20 70 01 E-mail: message@caumont-centredart.com Website: www.caumont-centredart.com Open: Every day October–April 10.00–18.00; May–September 10.00–19.00 Closed: Check website for exceptional closures There is an entry fee.
Musée du Vieil Aix (Hôtel Estienne de Saint-Jean) This was originally a grand private mansion but it now houses a museum devoted to the city’s history and traditions. 17 Rue Gaston de Saporta, 13100 Aix-en-Provence Tel: +33 (0)4 88 71 74 31 Open: Every day except Tuesday 10.00–12.30 and 13.30–17.00; mid-April–mid-October 10.00–12.30 and 13.30–18.00 Closed: Every Tuesday and January 1, May 1 and December 25. There is an entry fee but free on the first Sunday of every month.
Hôtel de Gallifet Another mansion in the Mazarin district which now offers an exhibition and performance space to contemporary artists. 52 Rue Cardinale, 13100 Aix-en-Provence Tel: +33 (0)9 53 84 37 61 E-mail: contact@hotelgallifet.com Website: www.hoteldegallifet.com Open: Check the website for opening times. There is an entry fee.
Pavillon de Vendôme A grand 17th century mansion set amidst formal gardens, this former love-nest of the Duc de Vedôme now hosts modern and contemporary art exhibitions as well as having an extensive collection donated by Henri Dobler. 13 Rue de la Molle and 32 Rue Célony, 13100 Aix-en-Provence Tel: +33 (0)4 42 91 88 75 Open: Every day except Tuesday 10.00–12.30 and 13.30–17.00; mid-April–mid-October 10.00–12.30 and 13.30–18.00 Closed: Every Tuesday and January 1, May 1 and December 25. There is an entry fee but free on the first Sunday of every month.
Aix and the rest of Provence finally became part of the kingdom of France in 1487 and until 1789 the city was the home of the Parliament of Provence and as such it became the focus for culture, science and governance. Although the parliament was dissolved during the Revolution the city’s reputation as an intellectual centre remained and the 19th century saw the establishment of several academic institutions and museums including the Musée Granet.
Musée Granet
