Aix-en-Provence Travelers Recommend

With three days in Aix-en-Provence, you’ll have plenty of time to see the city’s main sights and also venture into the countryside. Enjoy the cobbled street of old town, then take advantage of wine-tasting and food tours to learn about Provence’s famous cuisine. Here are some ways to enjoy three days in Aix-en-Provence. 

Day 1: Aix-en-Provence Highlights

Kick start your stay in Aix-en-Provence with a trip to the daily market in Place Richelme. Browse through the stands full of local produce, cheese, and seafood, then enjoy a coffee in the town square. Afterward, explore the winding cobbled streets of the old town and the area around Cours Mirabeau, and see Saint Sauveur Cathedral and the Fontaine de la Rotonde. 

Renowned post-impressionist painter Paul Cézanne was born in Aix and spent nearly all of his life in and around the town. Spend the afternoon following the Cézanne trail, a self-guided pedestrian route that visits local landmarks, including the school where he studied and the homes of various family members. Finish the day with a multi-course meal on the Cours Mirabeau or a guided culinary tour that lets you sample an array of Provençal delights.   

Day 2: The Provençal Countryside

Aix-en-Provence is the perfect base camp for exploring the Provençal countryside. Spend the morning touring lavender fields or hiking in the Montagne Sainte-Victoire—the mountains just outside of Aix that inspired Cézanne’s landscape paintings.  

In the afternoon, sample some of the finest wines produced in France. The rich soil and unique climate of Aix-en-Provence produces an array of fine reds and fragrant rosés and whites. Hop on a wine-tasting tour from Aix, and visit some of the vineyards in nearby wine regions, including Vacqueyras, Gigondas, and Chateauneuf du Pape. You can also upgrade your wine experience to include a French cooking class where you will learn how to make delicious Provençal dishes using fresh ingredients.    

Day 3: The Luberon Villages

The Luberon region of Provence is known for its lush countryside and ancient hilltop villages, each of which has its own unique character. The area makes for a good day-trip from Aix, but public transportation is limited, so to make the most of your time (and ensure you see many of the top highlights), book a guided tour of the Luberon villages. Visit Gordes, which is widely recognized as the most beautiful hilltop village in Provence—if not one of the most beautiful spots in all of France. Afterward, stop by Lourmarin, known for its striking renaissance castle, and Roussillon, which boasts colorful ochre cliffs. Alternatively, you can use your last day in the region to visit the nearby French Riviera and spend the entire day (and a fun-filled evening) exploring Monaco, Eze, and Nice.

The main village highlights in Aix-en-Provence can be seen in a day, so two days in Aix lets you explore more of the surrounding Provençal countryside. Picturesque vineyards, lavender fields, olive farms, sunflower fields, and more are just a short drive. Here’s what you need to know to make the most out of two days in Aix-en-Provence.

Day 1: Essential Aix-en-Provence

**Morning:**Get acquainted with Aix-en-Provence by heading directly into Old Town. Stop by the daily market at Place Richelme and browse the seasonal produce and enjoy a coffee and pastry in the square. On Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays, check out the larger market, Le Grand Marché, for artisan crafts and Provencal goods. 

**Afternoon:**After lunch in the trendy Cours Mirabeau district, explore the narrow streets and cobbled back alleyways of the city’s main street. Aix is often called the City of a Thousand Fountains and you won’t want to miss Fountain of the Rotunda (Fontaine de la Rotonde) and Nine Canon Fountain (Fontaine des Neuf-Canons).

**Night:**End your day on a culinary tour of Aix-en-Provence, sampling traditional Provençal food including local meats, cheeses, olive oils, tapenade, and sweets such as navettes and calissons, as well as wine. Alternatively, learn how to cook Provençal dishes yourself with a hands-on cooking class. 

Day 2: The Provençal Countryside

**Morning:**Rise early and head out into the Provençal countryside to tour a lavender farm. Learn about the history of lavender production and shop for artisan lavender oils and products. Join a guided lavender fields tour from Aix-en-Provence or head to the Valensole Plateau and explore on your own. 

**Afternoon:**The vineyards surrounding Aix-en-Provence produce some of the finest wines in France. Spend the afternoon visiting vineyards and learn about the unique climate and soil required to produce the region's wine. Sample an array of rosés, well-balanced reds, and fragrant whites from Provence. 

**Night:**Make the most of your last evening in Aix-en-Provence by dining at the famed Les Deux Garcons. Founded in 1792, Les Deux Garcons was once frequented by Pablo Picasso, Paul Cézanne, and Winston Churchill. The brasserie offers a variety of seafood, bouillabaisse, and steaks, and the terrace is a great place for people watching. 

From its bustling street cafes and open-air markets to its pedestrian streets and baroque architecture, Aix-en-Provence is quintessential Provence. You can see much of the historic city center in a day and even have time to head out into the Provençal countryside. Here’s how to make the most of one day in Aix-en-Provence. 

Morning: Village Sightseeing

Start your exploration of Aix-en-Provence in Vieil Aix (Old Town). Explore the winding cobblestone streets on foot for a visual on why Aix-en-Provence is known as the City of a Thousand Fountains. Other top attractions including the gothic Cathedrale Saint Sauveur and Cardeurs Square. Make your way to hip Cours Mirabeau for lunch. Alternatively, take a guided tour of Aix’s historic city center to learn about its architecture and for insider information on where to dine and shop. 

Afternoon: Lavender Fields and Provençal Countryside

The countryside surrounding Aix-en-Provence overflows with vineyards, olive farms, and rolling lavender fields. Valensole Plateau is just under an hour’s drive from Aix-en-Provence and boasts some of Provence's most picturesque lavender fields. See the lavender bloom in July and August or learn about the history and tradition of lavender production and shop for artisan lavender oils any time of the year. Tours often include a sampling of local products made from olives, lavender, and honey. 

Night: Gourmet Food and Wine Tastings

There is no better way to enjoy an evening in Aix-en-Provence than tasting and savoring traditional Provencal cuisine. To sample a wide variety of food in Aix, book a culinary tour. As part of the tour, meet local artisans and learn about local food culture while sampling specialties like tapenade, charcuterie, olive oils, regional wine and cheeses, pastis, and more. Don't miss a tasting of navettes, croquants, and calissons, the traditional cookies of Provence.