Aix-en-Provence

Aix-en-Provence is the former capital of Provence, about 30 km north of Marseille in the Bouches-du-Rhone department, France. The old town is compact, flat and pedestrian-friendly, centred on the plane-lined Cours Mirabeau and its fountains, with daily markets on the squares. The easiest transport is coach 50 from the Saint-Charles coach station (rue Honnorat side), which takes about 30 to 40 minutes and runs very frequently according to aggregators. The direct TER Zou train from Saint-Charles takes about 40 to 45 minutes, and driving via the A51 takes about 35 minutes, with paid parking structures at the edge of the old centre. Visitors should check current fares and hours with the operator. Highlights include the Musee Granet, the Atelier de Cezanne, the cathedral and the market squares around Place de la Rotonde, where the large fountain stands. A one-day arc begins with a morning stroll down the Cours Mirabeau and through the market streets; Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday are the big market days. Lunch fits at a terrace on a shaded square or a cafe on the Cours. The afternoon suits the Musee Granet and a visit to the Atelier de Cezanne, which lies a short distance outside the centre, before wandering the lanes of the old town and returning in the early evening. Cobbles are uneven in places, though museums and the cathedral have step-free options. The best seasons are April to June and September to October, when terraces are pleasant and temperatures moderate. Summer afternoons can be hot, so the museum visits work well as a midday refuge. Arriving by mid-morning gives enough time for markets while stalls are still fully stocked. Visitors who like to sit and watch the town often choose a cafe along the Cours Mirabeau, which has long been the social heart of Aix. The overall exertion is easy, with light walking on flat streets and no major transfers.