Bonjour! Welcome to Aix-en-Provence, a vibrant city in the heart of southern France. Known for its charming streets lined with pastel houses, countless fountains, and a rich artistic heritage, Aix perfectly blends history and elegance with an unmistakable Provençal charm. Here, every corner feels alive – from colorful markets filled with local produce to sunny terraces where you can sip a glass of wine and enjoy the relaxed pace of southern life. Whether you’re planning a day trip or a longer stay, Aix will capture your heart. Let us show you the best things to do in Aix-en-Provence in one day.
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Aix-en-Provence, France FAQ
Aix is a French city located in the Provence-Alpes-Cote d’Azur region in the Bouches-du-Rhone department. Aix is close to other big cities like Avignon or Marseille, and many charming Provence villages.
Without a doubt! Aix en Provence is absolutely worth visiting – it’s elegant, artistic, and full of charm. Whether you’re here to explore its beautiful old town, follow Cezanne’s artistic legacy, wander through colorful markets, or simply enjoy the relaxed atmosphere, you’ll find plenty of wonderful things to do in Aix-en-Provence.
Aix-en-Provence is best known for its Baroque architecture, its connection to famous painter Paul Cézanne, numerous fountains scattered all across the city, and delicious calisson d’Aix – almond-shaped sweet made from ground almonds and candied fruit.
You can easily see all the main attractions of Aix in just one day as the city is compact and most highlights are within walking distance. However, if you want to fully appreciate its charm, we recommend staying around 3 days. If you’re short on time, a day trip to Aix-en-Provence is still absolutely worthwhile.
Things to do in Aix-en-Provence in one day
Aix-en-Provence Old Town
There’s no better way to discover Aix Old Town than by simply wandering through its maze of elegant streets and squares, soaking up the vibe, and slowly exploring every corner. The area is home to the third-largest collection of Baroque architecture in France (after Paris and Versailles) and dotted with dozens of fountains (making it very easy to see why Aix is nicknamed the “city of a thousand fountains”).
In Aix-en-Provence Old Town, you’ll find points of interest like Place de l’Hôtel de Ville – main square with an impressive clock tower and ornate 17th-century town hall, iconic Cours Mirabeau, and Saint-Sauveur Cathedral. The area is also dotted with many little squares like Place d’Albertas, Place des Cardeurs, Place des Augustins, Place des Trois Ormeaux, Place Verdun, Place des Prêcheurs, and Place de la Rotonde.
In addition to the main landmarks, Aix en Provence Old Town is packed with small art galleries, cute little bookshops, and plenty of cozy cafés, where you can take a break and enjoy the local vibe. If you have a sweet tooth, don’t miss patisseries where you can try local speciality – calissons.
Also, keep an eye out for the bronze pavement markers with a “C” – they trace the footsteps of Paul Cézanne, who lived and worked in the city. With so many picturesque spots and cultural gems, strolling through the old town is easily one of the best things to do in Aix-en-Provence in a day trip.
Aix Tourist Office is located on Avenue Giuseppe Verdi, right next to the famous Fontaine de la Rotonde and Paul Cezanne Statue. It’s a great place to pick up maps and get helpful sightseeing tips.
If you don’t want to put too much effort into planning, you can take part in one of Aix-en-Provence old town guided tours. You can, for example, choose this popular and well-rated Aix-traordinary Walking City Tour. You can also choose one of the official guided tours organized by the city.
Fountains of Aix-en-Provence
Another of the best things to do in Aix-en-Provence is finding the fountains – and in one day you can find dozens of them! After all, it’s not without reason that the city is known as the “City of a Thousand Fountains”! But in reality, there are actually ‘only’ around 200 of them scattered across the streets and squares. You’ll find both grand ones and tiny gems hidden away in quiet alleys – just keep your eyes open.
The fountains that deserve the most attention are Fontaine de la Rotonde, Fontaine d’Albertas, Fontaine des Prêcheurs, Fontaine Du Roi René, Fontaine des Neuf-Canons, Fontaine Moussue, Fontaine de l’Hôtel de Ville, Sanglier Fountain, Fontaine des Quatre Dauphins, and Fontaine des Augustins.
Cours Mirabeau
The heart of Aix en Provence beats along the nearly 500-metre-long Cours Mirabeau, a beautiful tree-lined boulevard that separates the old town from the newer parts of the city. Here, you can enjoy a relaxed stroll among the elegant mansions, sip a coffee on a sunny café terrace, and admire four interesting-looking fountains. Cours Mirabeau is one of the liveliest places in the city, and spending some time here is not to be missed during one day in Aix-en-Provence.
Saint-Sauveur Cathedral
Saint-Sauveur Cathedral is one of the must-see landmarks in Aix en Provence, blending Romanesque, Gothic, and Baroque styles thanks to centuries of additions and renovations. Inside, you’ll find a beautifully painted organ, elegant chapels, impressive sculptures, and the famous 15th-century Burning Bush triptych.
One of the cathedrals’ most unique features is the separate octagonal baptistery, built in the 6th century and the only surviving element of the original early Christian church. Entrance is free during opening hours.
Mazarin Quarter
Mazarin Quarter was built in the 17th century and offers a completely different vibe from the old town. Here, streets are laid out in an elegant grid pattern, and magnificent mansions showcase the wealth of Aix’s noble past. The area is peaceful and sophisticated, with many beautiful buildings now housing art galleries or museums.
Don’t miss the Place des Quatre Dauphins with its charming fountain featuring four dolphins, and be sure to visit the Granet Museum, housed in the 17th-century Palais de Malte with a collection of art works including ones by Cézanne or Picasso.
Cezanne’s Places
Do we have Cezanne fans here? In Aix-en-Provence, you can follow his life through a pedestrian route marked with a “C”. Some of the route highlights include Cézanne’s birthplace, Bastide du Jas de Bouffan – family estate where he painted for 40 years, Atelier de Cezanne – his wonderfully preserved studio filled with personal belongings, and the Granet Museum which displays several of his works.
For an easier and more enjoyable experience, you can pick up a free Cezanne Pocket Guide at the Tourist Office. From April to October, you can also join the official guided tour “In the Steps of Cezanne”. It’s one of the best things to do in Aix-en-Provence, especially for art and culture lovers.
Aix-en-Provence Markets
Aix hosts vibrant markets every day of the week, each full of colors, scents, and local charm. From fresh produce and Provençal specialties to antiques, flowers, and handmade crafts, they offer a true feast for the senses.
The main markets include the traditional daily food market at Place Richelme; the lively markets at Place des Prêcheurs and Place de la Madeleine, where you’ll find everything from food and clothing to flowers and antiques; the textile, craft, and antiques stalls along Cours Mirabeau; and the beautiful flower market on Place de l’Hôtel de Ville.
To learn more about each market, visit aixenprovencetourism.com website.
Try Calissons
No visit to Aix would be complete without trying its most famous sweet treat – the calissons. These diamond-shaped pastries are made from a blend of ground almonds, candied melon, and orange peel, topped with a thin layer of royal icing. Calissons are soft, fragrant, and perfectly balanced in sweetness.
Calissons have been a local specialty since the 15th century. You’ll find them in many renowned patisseries around the city – look for names like Weibel, Béchard, Riederer, Philippe Segond, Parli, or Brémond. Picking up a box of calissons is one of the sweetest things to do in one day in Aix-en-Provence, which not only sweet tooths will enjoy.
Stay longer & discover Aix surroundings
Although there are plenty of things to do in Aix-en-Provence, the city also makes a great base for exploring nearby gems in Provence. Whether you’re craving history, nature, charming villages, or a glass of fine wine, there are countless wonderful places to visit near Aix that are perfect for day trips.
Just a short drive or train ride away, you’ll find vibrant cities like Avignon or Marseille, as well as picturesque villages like Roussillon, L’isle sur la Sorgue, or Bonnieux. Wine lovers will enjoy a visit to Châteauneuf-du-Pape, famous for its world-class vineyards.
Visiting in July? Be sure to plan a trip to the lavender fields – the iconic Valensole Plateau is only a short drive away!
Explore local attractions
How to get to Aix-en-Provence, France?
Aix-en-Provence is located about 30km from Marseille, 55km from Cassis, 65km from Roussillon, and 90km from Avignon. The most convenient way to get to Avignon is by car, train, or bus.
Where to park in Aix-en-Provence?
In Aix we recommend leaving a car in one of the city’s paid parking lots, like Parking Rotonde or Parking Mignet, both located right in the historic centre.
If you plan to stay longer in Aix, we recommend booking a hotel or apartment with a designated parking space.
To Aix-en-Provence by bus
You can easily get to Aix by bus. For example, the trip from Marseille will take around 35 minutes, 1 hour from Avignon, and 2 hours from Cassis. To learn more about bus connections that might interest you, visit rome2rio.com or Flixbus website.
To Aix-en-Provence by train
You can also get to Aix by train, especially from other big cities. For example, a trip from Marseille will take 45 minutes, 1 hour 45 minutes from Avignon, and 3.5 hours from Nice. To learn more about connections that might interest you, visit sncf-connect.com or rome2rio.com website.
Note. There are two train stations in the city: Aix-en-Provence City Centre located right next to the historic centre, and Aix-en-Provence Mediterranean TGV located about 15km outside the city center, serving high-speed connections (you can easily take a shuttle bus to the Aix city center).
Camping Aix-en-Provence
If you’re traveling by camper, places like Camping Aix-en-Provence or Camping Sainte Victoire, might interest you. They are located close to Aix.
One day in Aix-en-Provence France – Summing up
And that’s a wrap on our favorite things to do in Aix-en-Provence in one day. As you can see now, it’s one of those places that effortlessly wins your heart. With its elegant architecture, inspiring artistic heritage, bustling markets, delicious local treats, and sunny streets full of life, it perfectly captures the soul of southern France. Enjoy your time & bon voyage!
Our opinion about Aix-en-Provence
For us, a visit to Aix-en-Provence was a day trip from Bandol where we lived for a few weeks. We visited in mid October, and during that time the city was pleasantly calm and free from huge tourist crowds. Exploring everything we wanted took us about 6 hours.
Aix quickly captured our hearts with its elegant architecture, rich cultural heritage, vibrant markets, and the relaxed southern French vibe. It was pure pleasure to explore! We especially enjoyed wandering through the old town streets, eating brunch in one of the most unique restaurants we’ve had the pleasure of visiting, and trying delicious calissons. It was a lovely day, and we think Aix is an essential stop on any Provence itinerary.
Restaurants, accommodations, and map
Check out various recommended places below.
Where to eat in Aix-en-Provence?
Here are your best, high-rated options in Aix-en-Provence:
