Visit Aix from Baumanière
Aix-en-Provence
Discover the historic capital of Provence. With its magnificent heritage and a very rich cultural life, the “city of water and city of art” is also a much envied university town; in the Middle Ages it was frequented by lettered and refined types. It is also the city where Cézanne met Zola. Aix abounds in treasure: its sacred heritage includes many vestiges of religious history, witnesses to the past of which some today host concerts, exhibitions, conferences, or places for study.
The Cours Mirabeau:
This is the most frequented and most lively spot in Aix-en-Provence. Dotted with beautiful fountains, squares, statues and and town mansions, it is the between the Mazarin quarter to the south and and the old town.
To visit: the Saint-Sauveur cathedral and its cloisters. Built between the 5th and the 18th century, it was this legendary and historic edifice that witnessed Cézanne’s baptism and funeral serviceburied.
In the footsteps of Cézanne:
Visit Aix as Cézanne did with a a walking itinerary marked by studs stamped with a “C”. Discover the key places in his life with, as a backdrop, the architectural heritage of Aix. (Plan for 2 hours).
The Cézanne workshop:
April 1 to May 31: every day – from 10am to 12h30 and 2pm to 6pm
June 1 to September 30: every day – from 10am to 6pm
October 1 to March 31: every day – from 10am to 12:30 and 2pm to 5pm
Full Price: 6.50€
Reduced price (13-25 years): 3.50€
Free pour children under 13 years
You can find Cézanne’s works at the Granet Museum
• The Sainte-Victoire
Impossible to evoke Aix without mentioning the Sainte Victoire mountain! Culminating at 1011 metres altitude and immortalized on more than 60 of Cézanne’s paintings, it is the symbol of Provence, like the Mont Ventoux and the Sainte-Baume and owes its world renown to the painter’s works. Immerse yourself in the atmosphere of the Aix countryside through the landscapes that inspired Cézanne during a walk at the foot of Sainte-Victoire. Other Itineraries are also suggested. Pay attention to access restrictions to the mountain ranges during certain periods.
Aix and its museums…
For a more in-depth tour, opt for the audioguide or the guided tour!•
L’ Hôtel de Caumont
An 18th century town mansion situated not far from the Cours Mirabeau in Aix-en-Provence, the Hôtel de Caumont has become an Art Centre and a main spot in the cultural life of Aix. Each year, exhibitions are devoted to the great names in art history, from ancient art up to today. The Hôtel de Caumont is a choice destination in the heart of the Mazarin quarter, combining culture with peace and quiet.
Price unguided tour: 14€ – Free pour children under 7 years.
Open every day from October to April: 10am-6pm
From May to September: 10am-7pm
The Granet Museum
12,000 works and masterpieces acquired by the city and also bequeathed by François-Marius Granet with his considerable collections of French, Nordic and Italian paintings from the 14th to 18th centuries and French paintings from 19th century, Granet, Ingres, Provençal paintings. Thanks to the donation from the collector Philippe Meyer, you will find the works of Alberto Giacometti (paintings, sculptures, drawings) created between 1940 and 1969, as well as works by Pablo Picasso, Fernand Léger, Piet Mondrian, Paul Klee, Balthus, Giorgio Morandi, Bram van Velde, Nicolas de Staël. And finally, the works from the Jean and Suzanne Planque foundation exhibiting works by Bonnard, Picasso, Braque, Léger, de Staël and Dubuffet.
Price unguided tour: 5.50€ -Free for children under 18 years
Open from Tuesday to Sunday: – In summer from 10am to 7pm
Other seasons from 12noon to 6pm.
Fondation Vasarely
Created in 1976, the Architectonic Centre of Aix-en-Provence, listed as a Historic Monument in 2013, is the core of Victor Vasarely’s plastic and scientific project. The works exhibited here are the fruit of a productive collaboration between the artist, architects and companies, with the goal of creating the “polychrome city of happiness”. Vacation workshops, recreational and guided tours, the Vasarely Foundation offers all sorts activities playing with the senses and everything has been done to provide a dazzling finish that you can discover with the family. In the heart of a lumino-kinetic building, 16 hexagonal modules present 44 monumental architectural works of which the common thread is optical art. A plunge into the enigmatic world of Victor Vasarely.
Price: 9€
Child’s price (between 5 and 15 years)
4€ – Free for children under 5 years.
The museum of the Calisson
A sugary tour for foodies that retraces the legend of this Provençal sweet.
It is said that the King’s confectioner created this treat to delight Queen Jeanne on the day of her wedding.
Free tour – From Monday to Saturday: 9:30am to 12:30pm – 1:30pm to 7pm –
Sunday: 10am to 6pm
And don’t forget about the festivals in the region of Aix!
Where to park in Aix: parking map
Where to dine in Aix:
Côté Cour : 19 Cours Mirabeau
Restaurant Mickaël Féval : 11 Petite Rue Saint-Jean
Château de la Pioline – Restaurant Pierre Reboul : 260 Rue Guillaume Du Vair Pole
Château La Coste
25 minutes from Aix-en-Provence and 1hr 10 minutes from Baumanière
To enjoy without moderation!
An organically-farmed wine estate and art centre situated in Puy-Sainte-Réparade where the vineyards are highlighted by works of art and contemporary architecture and freely expressed through different installations for a 2-hour walk.
Price: Art and Architecture Tour 15€ / 12€
It is also the occasion to have a meal, listen to a lecture, a concert, or watch a film in the vineyards and also to make a few purchases at Château La Coste …
