Aix en Provence - Nightlife

Bars: There are (surprisingly for this city in the south of France) plenty of pubs to choose from: take your pick from the Red Clover, 30 rue de la Verrerie, O'Neil, rue d'Italie, Queen's Head, 11 rue St-Jean, O'Sullivan's, place des Augustins or The Old Bulldogge, 32 rue Emeric David. For something a bit more French, try Le Bistrot Aixois, 37 cours Sextius, or the IPN, 23 cours Sextius, both perennial favourites with students. Or for something a bit more upmarket, Les Deux Garçons on the Cours Mirabeau is a good place to while away an evening.

Clubs: The high student population means that there is no shortage of clubs in Aix-en-Provence. The choice is vast: from the well-established Le Mistral, 3 rue Frédéric Mistral (near the Cours Mirabeau) (http://mistralclub.fr), a monument to loud music with a notoriously fickle entry policy, and the place to see and be seen; to venues like Les Templiers, route d'Avignon, in the Lignane district, a house music venue featuring top-notch DJs, or Le Divino, 4039 route de Sisteron (www.divino.fr), a smaller funky club. There are special student nights in many venues, so check local guides for the latest information.

Live Music: The Hot Brass Jazz Club, chemin d'Eguilles, near Celony (www.hotbrassaix.com), is a good place for jazz, while those more into rock should head for Le Bistrot Aixois, 37 cours Sextius.

Classical Music: The Grand Théâtre de Provence, 380 avenue Max Juvénal (tel: (04) 4291 6969; www.grandtheatre.fr), inaugurated in 2007, is located between the new and old town. The building, designed by Italian architect Vittorio Gregotti, seats 1,350 and offers concerts, operas, musicals and dance. The Festival d'Aix-en-Provence (www.festival-aix.com), featuring lavish opera productions with some of the best voices from around the world, is held here in July. Other productions can be seen all year round at the Théâtre du Jeu de Paume,17-21 rue de l' Opéra (tel: (04) 4299 1200; www.lestheatres.net), and for more unusual stuff, head to La Fonderie, 14 cours St Louis (tel: (04) 4263 1011; www.fonderie-aix.com).

Theatre: The theatre scene in Aix is an exciting one, with lots of small theatres showcasing experimental stuff and less ordinary productions. The pick of the best for new plays and creative exchanges includes the Théâtre Antoine Vitez, Université de Provence, 29 avenue Robert Schumann (tel: (04) 4259 9437; http://theatre-vitez.com); the Théâtre des Ateliers, 29 place Miollis (tel: (04) 4238 1045; www.theatre-des-ateliers-aix.com); and La Fonderie, 14 cours St Louis (tel: (04) 4263 1011; www.fonderie-aix.com).

Dance: The esteemed Ballet Prejlocaj (tel: (04) 4293 4800; www.preljocaj.org), which has turned Aix into a centre for new talent in modern dance, now has, for the first time in its history, its own theatre, the purpose-built Pavillon Noir, 530 avenue Mozart.

Films: The main cinemas are Le Cézanne, 1 rue Marcel Guillaume; Renoir, 24 cours Mirabeau; and Mazarin, 6 rue Laroque (tel: 0892 687 270 for all three; www.lescinemasaixois.com). For arthouse movies try the Salle Armand Lunel at the Institut de l'Image, Cité du Livre, 8/10 rue des allumettes (tel: (04) 4226 8182/73; www.institut-image.org).

Tickets for most shows can be purchased directly from the venues or from the FNAC ticket network at the tourist office (tel: (04) 4216 1170). Mois à Aix (www.leguidedessorties.fr) is a free monthly publication with listings for events in the city. Available from the tourist office and from some venues or online at www.aixenprovencetourism.com/aix-mois.htm.