by Janis / 0 comments - Orginally published:3rd November 2026
A swathe of vibrant scents, flavours, colour and sound
Our delightful EV road trip continues through France, and after leaving the charming coastal town of Sanary-sur-Mer along the Côte d’Azur, we start to head inland to Saint-Rémy-de-Provence. However, en route we visited the elegant Provençal city of Aix-en-Provence.
Since disembarking from Le Shuttle in Calais, we visited the Art Deco town of Saint-Quentin in Hauts-de-France, then went to the picturesque town of Dole in Bourgogne-Franche-Comté, a further hop south to Chambéry in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region. From there we proceeded to a favourite spot of ours: Sanary-sur-Mer on the Côte d'Azur.
During our EV French road trip, we have kept to the back roads of France as much as possible, as we adore touring the French countryside. However, it was time to explore the bustling, historic city of Aix-en-Provence for a few hours. After leaving Aix, we searched out those quiet roads once again and headed to one of our beloved places in France, Saint-Rémy-de-Provence.
Why not Pin it for later?
We have three nights in the Provençal gem of Saint-Rémy-de-Provence, then hit the road again to visit Béziers and head back north to Cahors, Angoulême, and Vendôme.
Did you catch our further inspiration for this French road trip?
Where is Aix-en-Provence?
How to get to Aix-en-Provence
- By Car
Departing from the UK to France, there are various options. You can either jump on Le Shuttle and arrive in Calais in 35 minutes or enjoy a leisurely cruise on the open waves with Brittany Ferries, DFDS or P&O.
- By air
If you’re flying into France, search for flights to Marseille Provence Airport (MRS) for the easiest access to Aix-en-Provence. From the airport, it’s about 40 minutes on a shuttle bus to Aix-en-Provence bus station. By car, it’s about 17 miles (27km) and around 30 minutes of driving.
Stay informed
You will find us across many forms of social media. You will find our latest posts, some throwbacks, links to historic events with our 'On this day' posts, across Facebook, X, Bluesky & Threads. Each week, themed visual content on Instagram, and our narrated travels on YouTube. Collections of the images in our posts are also collated into boards on Pinterest.
A brief history of Aix-en-Provence
From thermal springs to bustling streetsAix-en-Provence is one of the most elegant and historic cities in southern France, nestled in the heart of Provence, around 30 kilometres north of Marseille, known for its beautiful fountains, leafy boulevards, colourful markets and charming old town and often referred to as the City of a Thousand Fountains.
Place de l'Hôtel de Ville
Aix has a fascinating history stretching back more than 2,000 years. The city was founded by the Romans in 123 BC and named Aquae Sextiae, after the Roman commander Gaius Sextius Calvinus and the area's natural thermal springs.
It developed into an important centre for trade and administration before flourishing during the Middle Ages, when it became the capital of Provence. Under the rule of King René of Anjou in the 15th century, Aix became a thriving centre of art, literature and culture.
Baroque Chapelle Sainte Catherine de Sienne
Fontaine Des Augustins
During the 17th and 18th centuries, Aix enjoyed considerable prosperity, with wealthy merchants and aristocratic families building magnificent private mansions, known as hôtels particuliers. The elegant Cours Mirabeau, lined with plane trees, impressive architecture and inviting cafés, became one of the city's most recognisable landmarks.
Attractive lanes in Aix
Église du Saint-Esprit
Aix is also famously associated with the Post-Impressionist painter Paul Cézanne, who was born here in 1839. The surrounding Provençal countryside, particularly Mont Sainte-Victoire, provided endless inspiration for his paintings, and visitors can still explore his former studio and follow in his footsteps.
Today, Aix-en-Provence beautifully combines its rich history with the pleasures of modern Provençal life. Its bustling markets, independent boutiques, historic churches and countless pavement cafés make it a delightful place to explore.
Lunch in Pl. des Martyrs de la Résistance
Despite being a lively university city, Aix has retained much of its traditional charm, and there's something particularly appealing about wandering through its narrow streets, discovering hidden fountains and enjoying the relaxed atmosphere of its sun-drenched squares.
“Third time’s a charm”
We made it to the vibrant city of AixI must be honest: this was our third attempt to visit Aix-en-Provence. Although it is an incredibly picturesque city, it can also be extremely busy. The locals of Aix are hastily going about their day-to-day business- stallholders, shoppers, street cleaners, and every other resident within a 10-mile radius. Then there’s us, the rabbit-in-the-headlights tourists slowing down their pace.
Wedding at Aix-en-Provence Cathedral
So, on our first attempt, we struggled to find a parking space, and we were slowing running out of time to reach our final destination of the day. Then, on the second attempt, it was an absolute washout; I’ve rarely seen rain of biblical proportions flowing through the streets of Aix; the roads had turned into rivers. So, it was third time lucky, and everything went to plan, well, almost! We couldn’t visit Aix’s cathedral as there were weddings and services taking place, hey ho.
France Tourist Information
If you’re tempted to tour France and discover all the delightful things it has to offer, take a peek at the official French Tourism website. The local tourist offices dotted around the towns and cities provide some extremely useful information and handy pointers for around each region.
Explore the charismatic lanes of Aix
Provençal charm in abundanceThe historic streets and lanes of Aix-en-Provence are a delight to explore, with their honey-coloured buildings, elegant façades and charming little squares. At the heart of the city lies the Vieil Aix, or Old Town, a wonderful maze of narrow, winding streets that reflect its medieval past.
Place d'Albertas
Wander along Rue Gaston de Saporta, one of the city's most historic thoroughfares, and you'll discover beautiful private mansions, intriguing doorways and architectural details dating back centuries.
It’s such a joy meandering around the streets of Aix; you really have no idea what treat you’ll discover around the next corner.
Tour de l’Horloge
An MGA in Place de l'Hôtel de Ville
Nearby, the picturesque Place de l'Hôtel de Ville, with its impressive clock tower and 17th-century town hall, is a lovely spot to pause and soak up the atmosphere. The surrounding lanes are filled with independent boutiques, traditional shops and inviting cafés, while fountains tucked away in quiet squares add to the unmistakable Provençal charm.
Le Petit Bistrot
One of the pleasures of exploring Aix-en-Provence is the contrast between its intimate medieval lanes and the grander streets created during the 17th and 18th centuries. The magnificent Cours Mirabeau, shaded by towering plane trees, forms a beautiful boundary between the Old Town and the elegant Mazarin Quarter, where you'll find wider streets, impressive townhouses and the delightful Place des Quatre-Dauphins with its distinctive fountain.
Keep an eye out for Passage Agard, which was built in 1846. This open-air shopping arcade takes along the most direct route from Cours Mirabeau to Place du Palais de Justice.
Passage Agard
Historic shopping arcade
Back in the Old Town, streets such as Rue Espariat and Rue des Cordeliers offer a wonderful mix of historic architecture and everyday Provençal life. It's a city that has to be discovered on foot, taking your time to wander without a particular destination, perhaps stumbling across a hidden courtyard, an ornate fountain, or a peaceful square where you can simply sit and watch the world go by.
Places to visit in France
If you adore road trippin’ through France like we do, exploring north, south, east, and west, then take a peek at the captivating destinations in our French location posts. You’ll find so many gorgeous villages, towns and cities, some you may have heard of; however, I’m sure you’ll find new inspiration.
The Saturday market in Aix-en-Provence
Vibrant stalls around every squareThe traditional Saturday market in Aix-en-Provence is one of the highlights of the city's weekly calendar, bringing the historic streets and picturesque squares to life with colour, enticing aromas and an immersive Provençal atmosphere.
Flower market
The bustling Place Richelme hosts a delightful food market, where stalls overflow with seasonal fruit and vegetables, fragrant herbs, olives, local cheeses, freshly baked bread and regional specialities. Ahh, the sweet scent of lavender will win me over every time.
Nearby, Place des Prêcheurs and Place de la Madeleine are also at the heart of the Saturday market experience, with traders selling fresh produce and other local delicacies. It's such a wonderful opportunity to experience everyday Provençal life, as locals browse the stalls, chat with traders and select ingredients for their weekend meals.
Market in Place de l'Hôtel de Ville
Saturday is also a fantastic day to explore Aix's other markets, particularly the colourful flower market at Place de l'Hôtel de Ville, where beautiful displays of fresh flowers and plants brighten the historic square.
Along Cours Mirabeau, the textile and clothing market adds another dimension, with stalls offering everything from colourful fabrics and traditional Provençal tablecloths to clothing, accessories and household linens.
Market along Cours Mirabeau
The markets generally begin around 8 am and wind down by 1 pm, so arriving in the morning gives you plenty of time to wander at a leisurely pace. With the surrounding cafés and terraces filling up with people enjoying their morning coffee, there's no better way to soak up the sights, sounds and flavours of Aix-en-Provence than spending a Saturday morning exploring its vibrant markets.
Crit'Air vignette required for driving in France
If you’re heading to France from the UK with your own vehicle, you’ll need a Crit’Air ‘clean air’ car sticker.
Just like our low-emission zones in the UK, France now legally requires the display of a Crit’Air vignette. The good news is, these stickers are readily available and affordable online through the official French government website.
The Crit’Air sticker lasts the lifetime of the vehicle, so it’s a one-off purchase. The RAC website offers an in-depth guide to everything you need to know and your requirements.
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