Aix en Provence Town

Pronounced “X”, Aix en Provence is a beautiful town situated in the far south of France and is surprisingly easy to reach by the TGV high speed train from Paris. It is three hours from downtown Paris and 3h30 from Paris Charles De Gaulle airport.

In Provence you will be able to embrace the good life and easy living of the locals. While wandering through the narrow streets you will catch the youthful spirit of the cosmopolitan city it has become.

Afterwards, have a little treat and try the Calissons d’Aix, almond-paste delicacy with sugar icing on top (see picture below), and Croquets aux Amandes, a crusty dough filled with almonds.

AiX Provence Calissons

Aix en Provence famous Calissons - ©Aix-en-Provence Tourism Office

 

 

Getting Around Aix-en-Provence

We recommend a walking tour of Aix en Provence, so you won't miss the important sites. 

However, we will also indicate some lovely back-streets and hidden squares away from the main tourist crowds. On our 10 day in Provence to Paris itinerary, you would start your trip at a cosy Bed & Breakfast, in the hills between Aix and the Luberon

Aix's fame is also its downside during the high season, it is a nightmare to drive around the city and everything is very expensive. Hence, we offer you lovely B&B accommodation a few miles outside of Aix en Provence in the hills. Here the nights are cooler and you will be able to have a drink by the pool in peace.

Aix en Provence old town

Aix en Provence ambiance - ©Camille Moirenc

 

Mount Sainte Victoire

About half an hour North East from Aix en Provence is the Sainte Victoire Mountain which became famous thanks to Paul Cezanne's masterpieces. If you like to walk, we will be happy to recommend quite an easy 3 hour walk to the best viewpoint over southern Provence. This is also in the nearby town of Vauvenargues, where Pablo Picasso bought a castle and spent the last years of his life. 

See our 13 days in La Belle Provence self-drive tour if you think you'll need a little longer to take in the beauty of this wonderful region. 

 

mont sainte victoire

Montagne Sainte Victoire landscapes - ©CRT Bouches du Rhone

 

 

 

Our Best Self-drive Itineraries in Provence

 

Duration
26 days
Price
US$ 7880
Region
in Provence, Basque Country, Dordogne, Loire Valley & Paris

This itinerary will take you from South to North, following some of the most typical and beautiful scenic roads in France. We recommend flying into Marseille airport.

Heritage & History
Towns & Villages
Duration
13 days
Price
US$ 4970
Region
in Provence & French Riviera

Enjoy the sweet scents, vivid colors, flavorful tastes, sunshine and warm wind of Provence & the Riviera. To save time and energy, we recommend you fly in and out of Marseille (or Nice) International Airport. Otherwise, we can also help with TGV train tickets.

Gourmet Food
Countryside
Art & Museums in France
Duration
10 days
Price
US$ 4140
Region
in Paris & Provence

Explore two very typical and stunning regions of France and get a real feel for our beautiful country.

Countryside
Art & Museums in France

Our Travelers’ Reviews

Lynne & Jeff
In 2013 I had 2 big reasons to plan a trip to France: a new grand baby boy in Avignon, and I wanted to surprise my husband with a trip to Normandy. He absolutely loves anything and everything he can find to read or watch that is related to WWII. So, I started exploring online for a custom tour designer that could put together a great itinerary for …
Anthea
We have just returned from a road trip around France and with Emilie's help, we had one of the best trips we've ever had. We travel extensively and I normally do my own research and bookings because we don't like using formal , organised tours but we were looking for advice on self driving holidays in France. Emilie's attention to detail is …
Jenifer
When planning my 60th birthday celebration, my sister and I stumbled upon France Just For You, which saved us from the potential nightmare of traveling with 40 strangers on a bus. As a result, my sister and I, along with our husbands, experienced a trip of a lifetime! From the beginning, Emilie was extraordinarily responsive, informative, and more …

Our Travelers’ Photos

Joe & Beth
From the US
Truffle hunting in Provence
Peter
from Canada
Truffle Hunting in Dordogne
Lucelle & Alan
From South Africa
Meeting their host - Mr le Prince - in a Castle in the Loire Valley
The Loo Family
From Malaysia
At the breakfast table in the Loire Valley
Dina & Jim
from the US
Who just received their travel pack at home
Karen & Ed
from the US
At the restaurant in Giverny
Jill, Wayne & Varenne (the dog)
from the US
Enjoying Mont Saint Michel away from the crowds, Normandy
Stéphanie & Vania
from the US
on the Aiguille du Midi peak in the French Alps (Chamonix)
Jane
from the US
Canoeing down the Dordogne river
Colleen & Russell
from New Zealand
Having Breakfast at the B&B
Muriel & Michael
from the US
In Utah Beach, Normandy
Jane & Ron
From Canada
Visiting the Opéra Garnier, in Paris