Aix en Provence Key Attractions
The city's main thoroughfare (and the most famous one) is the Cours Mirabeau, a street lined with cafes, restaurants and elegant mansions, and shaded by several rows of centuries-old plane trees. Once a street for horse-drawn coaches, the Cours Mirabeau today links the Mazarin district to the south with the old commercial town to the north. Sit down at one of the terraces and watch life go by while sipping a cappuccino or a latte and listening to the sounds of water playing in the fountains nearby.
Le Musée Granet (Granet Museum)
François Marius Granet was a famous local painter (1775-1849) who bequeathed his personal collection to the city upon his death. Housed in a historic building, the museum, one of the best in the region, features major works by French painters from the 16th and 17th centuries, as well as paintings from Dutch, Flemish and Italian schools. Closed Mondays.
Place Saint Jean de Malte
Tel: (04) 4252 8832.
Website: www.museegranet-aixenprovence.fr
Atelier Cézanne (Cezanne Studio)
Many of the visitors to Aix-en-Provence will have an interest in the work of Cézanne, and here they will have an opportunity to discover several of the artist's familiar objects (many featured in some of his paintings). The studio is equipped with an audio/video room where visitors can watch relevant films and CD-roms. Tours in English daily.
9 avenue Paul Cézanne
Tel: (04) 4221 0653.
Website: www.atelier-cezanne.com
Musée du Vieil Aix (Museum of Old Aix)
Hôtel Estienne de Saint Jean is one of the finest hôtels particuliers (private hotels) from the end of the 17th century. The finely carved door opens into a hall with a magnificent wrought iron balustrade. The main living areas, which have preserved part of the original décor, house the Museum of Old Aix. The museum contains memorials to Aix's past, including furniture, costumes, paintings, china and local figurines.
17 rue Gaston de Saporta
Tel: (04) 4221 4355.
Pavillon de Vendôme (Vendome Pavilion)
Surrounded by an elaborate French garden, the Vendome Pavilion gives visitors the opportunity to see a typical Aix mansion as it would have looked in the 18th century. Well preserved furniture, paintings and artefacts from the 17th and 18th centuries give a glimpse into the lives of the local aristocracy of the time.
32 rue Célony
Tel: (04) 4291 8875.
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