Aix-en-Provence

Aix-en-Provence, often called simply Aix, is a city in southern France, about 30 kilometers north of Marseille. It used to be the capital of the region called Provence and has around 148,000 people living there. The people who live in Aix are known as Aixois.

The city is part of the area known as Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur and is an important town in the department of Bouches-du-Rhône. Aix-en-Provence has a rich history and is known for its beautiful settings and historic buildings. It remains a special place in the heart of southern France.

History

See also: Timeline of Aix-en-Provence

For the ecclesiastical history, see Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Aix.

Aix, called Aquae Sextiae, was started in 123 BC by a Roman leader named Sextius Calvinus. He named the town's springs after himself. This happened after the nearby town of Entremont was destroyed.

Many years later, in 102 BC, a big battle happened nearby. Roman soldiers led by Gaius Marius fought against two groups called the Ambrones and Teutones.

During the 4th century AD, Aix became an important city. Over time, different groups controlled it, including the Visigoths, Franks, Lombards, and Saracens. In the Middle Ages, Aix was the main city of Provence. It grew even more important after the 12th century, becoming a place for artists and learning.

In 1487, Aix became part of France. In 1501, a French king set up an important court there that stayed until 1789. In later years, Aix was a main city for governing Provence. Today, old digging work in a part of Aix called Ville des Tours has found pieces from a big Roman sports arena.

Geography and climate

Aix-en-Provence is in the south of France, near the Arc River. The city gently slopes from north to south, and you can see Montagne Sainte-Victoire to the east. Because it is in southern France, Aix has a warm climate. It usually has about 300 sunny days each year and only 58 days of rain. The city is partly shielded from the strong Mistral wind, but it can still feel cooler and windier sometimes.

Aix-en-Provence has a Mediterranean climate.

Sights

The Cours Mirabeau is a wide street with tall trees, pretty houses, and fountains. It divides the town into two parts: the new town to the south and west, and the old town to the north with its narrow streets and old mansions.

The Aix Cathedral is in the old part of the city. It has many styles from different times, including a fancy entrance with carved doors. Inside, there are old tapestries and special art pieces. Near the cathedral, there is a palace and a quiet garden.

Aix has many fountains and is often called the city of a thousand fountains. Some well-known ones are the Fountain of the Four Dolphins and a large fountain at la Rotonde with statues of art, justice, and agriculture. The city is also where famous painter Paul Cézanne was born. You can visit places related to him, such as his childhood home and old studio. The white limestone mountain Sainte-Victoire, which often appeared in Cézanne's paintings, can be seen overlooking the city.

Education

Aix-en-Provence has a long history as a place for learning. In 1409, a leader named Louis II of Anjou allowed the town to start a university. Today, many schools and research centers make Aix an important spot for education.

Some well-known schools include Arts et Métiers ParisTech, which focuses on engineering, and Aix-Marseille University, which studies subjects like humanities, economics, and law. There is also Institut d'études politiques d'Aix-en-Provence, known for political studies, and the American College of the Mediterranean, which offers programs for students from around the world. The city also has training schools, high schools, and a college for art and design.

Culture

Aix-en-Provence has a lively culture with many music and dance events. Each year, the city holds the Festival international d'Art Lyrique, an important opera festival. It happens in late June and July and features shows in lovely places across Aix. Another yearly event is Musique dans la Rue, a week of classical, jazz, and popular concerts in June.

The city is also home to the Ballet Preljocaj dance company, which performs at the Pavillon Noir, a special dance center. Aix was part of the European Capital of Culture event in 2013, which brought many new cultural experiences and buildings to the city.

Aix has several interesting museums and galleries. These include the Musée du Vieil Aix, which shows the city's history, and the Musée Granet, which has artworks by famous painters. There is also the Musée de Tapisseries with beautiful old tapestries, and L'atelier Cézanne, the preserved studio of the famous painter Paul Cézanne. The city has many places to explore its rich history and art.

Sport

Aix-en-Provence has many sports teams and events. The city has a football team called AS Aix-en-Provence. There is also a rugby team, Provence Rugby.

The city has a handball team, Pays d'Aix Université Club Handball, and an American football team, Les Argonautes Aix-en-Provence. Every May, Aix hosts a tennis tournament. The city also holds a junior fencing event each January.

Economy

Aix-en-Provence has many different jobs and industries. In the past, people made flour, sweet treats, iron tools, hats, matches, and olive oil.

Today, the city is known for tourism, fun performances like opera and dance, and making advanced technology such as microchips for credit cards. The University of Aix-Marseille studies arts, laws, and money matters. People also make special hand-crafted figures called santons, olive oil, and a sweet treat called calissons made from almonds, orange peel, sugar, and melon. The area grows wine, with many vineyards nearby, and is famous for its chocolate and saffron too.

Demographics

Aix-en-Provence, often called Aix, is a city in southern France. It is about 30 km north of Marseille. Around 148,000 people live there.

Politics

The current mayor of Aix-en-Provence is Sophie Joissains. She was elected on September 24, 2021.

Presidential Elections Second Round:

Transport

Aix-en-Provence has many old roads that lead to nearby countryside. Today, it also has modern roads called autoroutes that connect it to nearby towns. These roads go north to Avignon and the Luberon, south to Marseille, east to Aubagne and the Mediterranean coast, and to Nice and the French Riviera. Aix and Marseille share the same big airport, Marseille Provence Airport, which has flights within France and to other countries. There is another smaller airport mostly used for private planes.

Trains from Paris stop at Aix, taking about 3 hours to reach the city. Aix has its own train station close to the center, with trains going to Marseille, Pertuis, and Briançon in the French Alps. There are also many buses that go far and near, and a special pass for tourists that helps with travel around the city. Inside Aix, there are affordable buses, including a special service for people who need help moving around. The old part of town is mostly for walking, with parking areas around it. The city has two small rivers, the Arc and the Torse, but they are not used for boats.

Miscellaneous

The local Aix dialect is part of the Provencal dialect of the Occitan language. Many old streets in Aix have names in both Provencal and French.

Aix hosted the ninth International Congress of Modern Architecture in 1953. It is home to the rugby union team Provence Rugby. The team welcomed the All Blacks during the early stages of the 2007 Rugby World Cup. The novel Ysabel by Guy Gavriel Kay is set in Aix. Italian artist Giuseppe Ielasi recorded his album Aix there.

Twin towns – sister cities

See also: List of twin towns and sister cities in France

Aix-en-Provence has special friendships with many cities around the world. It is officially connected with:

• Bath, England, United Kingdom (1977)
• Carthage, Tunisia (1993)
• Coimbra, Portugal (1982)
• Granada, Spain (1979)
• Perugia, Italy (1970)
• Tübingen, Germany (1960)

Friendship and cooperation

Aix-en-Provence also works closely with:

• Baalbek, Lebanon (2003)
• Bamako, Mali (2003)
• Baton Rouge, United States (1999)
• Coral Gables, United States (1997)
• Kumamoto, Japan (2013)
• Oujda, Morocco (1998)
• Pécs, Hungary (2011)
• Philadelphia, United States (1998)
• Seattle, United States

Notable people

Aix-en-Provence has been home to many famous people. Some well-known people from the city are Eleanor of Provence, who was queen consort of King Henry III of England, and Paul Cézanne, a famous painter. The city has also been home to artists, writers, scientists, and leaders.

Notable residents

Many important people have lived in Aix-en-Provence. Maximinus of Aix, the city’s first bishop, helped bring Christianity to the area. Other famous people include René of Anjou, a Duke of Anjou and Count of Provence, and Émile Zola, the well-known novelist who grew up in the city. More recently, American singer Nina Simone lived here during the last years of her life.