Aix-en-Provence : City of  Art,  City of  Water

 

The old town

 

The studio is located in a building in the center of the historical district within the ancient ramparts of mediaeval times ; the Gaston de Sapora street (rue de la Roque) brings you to Bourg Saint Sauveur with its Clock Tower (Tour de l'Horloge - Hotel de Ville) City Hall and to the Saint Sauveur Cathedral.

 

 

Le cours Mirabeau

To go up and down the Cours Mirabeau is normal for people who are natives. This is a delightful area with beautiful trees and famous fountains. This arterial road dates back to the XVII  Century ; The wealthy and noble families had their beautiful mansions built on the North bank whereas on the South bank you will find restaurants and cafes such as "Le Cafe des Deux Garcons" where the tourists and the people from Aix love to stop.

 

 

Le quartier Mazarin

Surrounded by several beautiful mansions, the Place des Quatre Dauphins has the famous Fontaine des Quatre Dauphins in the center.

 

The Fountains

Water is plentiful in the center of this city, thanks to the waterworks with the Verdon Canal and with the Zola Dam.  First it was essential for the wells and  the troughs  but later it  became ornamental  in the XVII century  for artistic purposes. It became important to discover the artistic fountains of their ancestors such as : "la fontaine des quatre dauphins, la fontaine d'Alberta, les fontaines du cours Mirabeau, la fontaine de la Rotonde".

Water regarding Thermes Sextius, starting in the year 122 B.C.  It  became actually the largest  SPA in  Provence. This is located at 200m from the  studio and it is possible to walk to the SPA from the studio.

 

The Markets

This is an important part in the area of streets and roads in Aix-en-Provence. The market for fruit and vegetables is being held at Place des Precheurs, in the center of the city.  You will find the color and aroma of the Provencale cooking. Lots of Provencale olives which are very popular : tapenade (which is  used  with vegetables and fish), olives for the table and the famous olive oil. The new oil is celebrated Place de la Rotonde a few days before Christmas. The flower market which looks like a Cezanne painting, is being held at the Place de la Mairie. In the shops around the market, you can taste the famous calissons d'Aix. Made with sweet almonds and candied fruit, the calissons are the great specialty of Aix-en-Provence. One can end a wonderful dinner with a glass of Coteau d'Aix, made locally. Once a year a wine celebration is being held on the last Sunday of July on the  Cours Mirabeau.

 

The "Tour de France" cycling race stops in Aix-en-Povence

Departure of the 6th stage of the Tour de  France on July 4, 2013 in the city of Cezanne.