Aix-en-Provence Audioguided walking tour 2h20 and 24 reviews

This is the pretty place of Verdun. We enter here another part of the city, designed before that of Mazarin. It was built in 1583, with the aim of expanding the city, which has grown considerably in previous centuries.

Before we talk about the Church of the Magdalene, let us dwell for a moment on the square on which it is located, the Place des Préchers. It owes its name to the old convent that was nearby.

This small square not far from the City Inn houses the Provencal Point of Sale of Aix twice a week where fruits, vegetables, cheeses and other typical local products adorn the stalls that unfold there.

You arrive here on the Plaza del Inn, where the Clock Tower already stands before you.

On your left is the Carders’ Forum, one of the city’s main squares. Don’t hesitate to make a little detour to discover it.

On your left is a building that contains the Old Aix Museum. It is located in the former Inn Estienne de Saint-Jean, built in the 17th century, certainly by Pierre Puget.

Let’s look to the right now: at the end of the square, we see a building listed as Historical Monuments, the former palace of the Archbishops. Come close to observe it.

Here you are in front of the amazing Cathedral of Saint Saviour. It is built on the site of the ancient Roman forum, the main square of the ancient city, called Aquae Sextiae.

Take a look on your right. Here you are in front of a funerary monument made by Joseph Sec, an 18th century Aixois bourgeois, who was Jacobin, gray penitent, timber merchant and master carpenter.

True testimony to the medieval past of the city, this tower is the only vestige of the rampart that surrounded Aix-en-Provence in the Middle Ages.

On your right is a small street that is not exceptional at first glance, but is one of the places where the famous Emile Zola lived during his life.

Behind you stands the imposing Vendôme pavilion. This superb building is due to the Duke of Vendôme, Louis de Mercoeur, governor of Provence, who wishes, in 1664, to build a building for the woman with whom he is madly in love, Lucrece de Forbin Solliès.

If there is one thing that characterizes the city of Aix-en-Provence, it is water! The city has been famous for its warm waters since ancient times.

Here you are on the pretty little place of Tanners. In the center, there is a fountain, of course. Get a little closer to observe it.

Here you are on the Place du Général de Gaulle, where you can see the most famous fountain in Aix: the fountain of the Rotonde.

The Cours Mirabeau is one of the busiest places in Aix-en-Provence. It was built in the 17th century, in place of the ramparts. An esplanade was then built to be a place of walk for the Aix nobility.

You are in front of the Inn of Caumont, one of the most beautiful mansions in the city. It was built between 1715 and 1742 by George Vallon, at the request of François de Rolland, President of the Court of Auditors.

Here is the Place des Quatre Dauphins, where there is a fountain of the same name, designed by Jean-Claude Rambot and Pierre Pavillon in the 17th century.

The Mazarin district emerged during the 17th century. It was born of the will of Michel Mazarin, Archbishop of the city, and brother of the Prime Minister of Louis XIV, to expand the city southward to enlarge it.

The church of Saint-Jean-de-Malte existed before the formation of the Mazarin district. It is indeed the very first Gothic church in Provence.

Place Forbin marks the end of the Cours Mirabeau. It has been converted at the same time as this one to become one of the central squares of the city.

This very special fountain is called the Hot Water Fountain, or more commonly the Moss Fountain. Do you see why?

Here you are on the Place d’Albertas. It is still a fountain that we see here, and this one deserves a little more attention than the others.

One more Inn you have in front of you, the Boyer d’Eguilles Inn.