Aix-en-Provence
The elegant old university town and former capital of the Bouches-du-Rhone department, Aix-en-Provence is beautifully situated in the heart of Provence, 33 kilometres north of the port city and France's second largest city, Marseille. Provacances offers holiday rentals in the nearby villages of Villelaure, Roquevaire and Lançon-Provence. The area offers fantastic nature experiences in the very lush and mountainous surroundings. There are great opportunities to explore the Provençal hinterland and the area offers numerous outdoor activities including hiking, climbing, canoeing, horse riding, fishing, mountain biking or golf. It was the Roman consul, Sixtius Calvinus, who founded the city in 122 BC and named it Aquae Sextiae because of its hot springs. However, for centuries it was overshadowed by neighbouring Marseille and Arles until the good King René chose Aix as his residence in the 12th century. When Provence came under the French throne in 1487, Aix was made the seat of the Parlement de Provence. In the 17th and 18th centuries, Aix was the capital of Bouches-du-Rhône. Much of the city's elegant architecture dates back to this flourishing period. Aix boasts numerous impressive 18th and 19th century buildings with small balconies with wrought iron railings. Cours Mirabeau in the city centre is Aix's finest street. It is a long, wide avenue with rows of plane trees. On one side are hotels, cafés, restaurants and shops and on the opposite side are grand mansions, all of which are listed. The old town, Vielle Ville, is extremely interesting. It is packed with shops, markets, museums, religious and architectural works and historical sites. Aix is also known as the city of fountains, which can be found throughout the city. At the western end of the bustling Cours Mirabeau is the city's most famous fountain, the Fontaine de la Rotonde, a mighty fountain adorned with lions, swans, dolphins and three graces at the top. At the end of Rue Cardinal and in the centre of the idyllic Place des Dauphins is the Fontaine des Quatres Dauphins, the first free-standing fountain in Aix. The great Provençal painter Paul Cézannes was born in Aix in 1839, but left the city in 1860 to join the Impressionists in Paris. However, he soon regretted it and returned to his birthplace in 1870, where he remained until his death in 1906. The Atelier Paul Cézanne, Avenue Paul Cézanne, appears as he left it on the day of his death. Here you can see his easel and brushes, and on the table is a bottle with a little red wine left, now turned into vinegar. Cézanne's most famous subject was his beloved mountain, Ste-Victoire, located on the outskirts of the city. 
Inspiration for your holiday:Attractions:
Cathédrale St Sauveur: The cathedral located at the top of the old town. Here, one can find a baptismal chapel dating from the 3rd-4th century with a Renaissance dome supported by Corinthian columns from the 2nd century. These columns come from a basilica that once stood beside the Roman forum. South of the cathedral lies the tiled Romanesque cloister courtyard. Hôtel de Ville: The city hall from the 17th century, built by Pierre Pavillon from 1655-1670 around a courtyard. The square surrounding it is now used as a flower market. Tour de l’Horloge Mazarin Quarter and Pedestrian Streets Musée Granet: The city's largest museum, located in an impressive 17th-century former Knights of Malta monastery. It exhibits the vast collection of French, Italian, and Flemish paintings amassed by local artist François Granet (1775-1849), which he bequeathed to the city of Aix. Also featured are works by Granet himself and other Provençal painters, including eight canvases by Paul Cézanne. Atelier Cézanne: Paul Cézanne’s former studio, preserved as it was when he passed away in 1906. Circuit Cézanne: The tourist office provides maps for the Cézanne trail, which begins outside the office and leads to Cézanne’s birthplace, the school he attended with Émile Zola, and 8 Rue Belegon, where he died. The Cézanne route is a 40 km drive around Aix, passing by Montagne Ste-Victoire. Musée du Vieil Aix: The city museum. Musée des Tapisseries: Exhibition of the magnificent 17th-18th century Beauvais tapestries. Le Pavillon Vendrôme: One of the most prestigious houses in Aix, built in 1667 for Cardinal de Vendôme and expanded in the 18th century. The rooms are furnished with original Provençal furniture and art objects. It also features beautiful French gardens. Thermes Sextius: The ancient Roman baths – nearby, there are also spa facilities from the 18th century. 
Activities in Aix-en-ProvenceTheatre. There are lots of courses in the area of Bouches-du-Rhône and several in the neighbouring departments Gard and Vaucluse. Most of the courses can be found on the French golf union’s website. Unfortunately the website is in French. Seek under Guide de golfs and then under the region Provence Alpes Côte d’Azur: www.ffgolf.org
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