Location: Aix-en-Provence
Top Things to do in Aix-en-Provence
Things to do in Aix-en-Provence, Provence-Alpes-Cote d'Azur: The Best Specialty Museums
Aix, a graceful, lively city, is known for its thermal hot springs, art schools and universities. Wander the Cours, old town and Quartier Mazarin on foot, stopping at cafés, bookstores and markets. Kids whining? Have them count fountains… Aix reportedly has 1,000 of them.
Restaurants in Aix-en-Provence
1. Site Memorial du Camp des Milles
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 498 reviews
Reviewed By SusanSnyc
We spent several hours at this memorial and educational exhibit housed in a former tile factory and used first by the French govenment and then by the Nazis and Vichy government as an interment camp from 1939 to 1942. We found the exhibit sobering and educational. We purchased the english audio guide which we found helpful, although it took a bit of experimenting to sync to the exhibit (especially to the introductory film.) It was worth the effort although there are few audio visual exhibits that do not have an english audio translation. There are also a few that are in english since the speakers are Americans who were interned there as children but who were able to escape or leave as part of a rescue effort. (Much of the text in the exhibit is presented both in french and in english.) We visited as a day trip from our summer hoilday stay in Aix-en-Provence and it was a quick trip by Uber or taxi. (It is closer than the train station to the city of Aix.) We visited on a Sunday when buses do not run, but we were told at the Aix tourist center that a bus is an easy way to get there and back. Leave plenty of time to visit all exhibits on the site including the permanent memorial to the over eleven thousand Jewish children who were deported from France to Aushwitz from 1940-1942, many from Les Milles. We wished that our adult and teen children had been with us on this trip to see this and recommend a visit to anyone visiting this part of France. A side note: We were two of a handful of visitors that day and it often felt like we were the only people in the building. We spoke to the helpful staff who said that they get visits from many school groups during the school year. Also, much of the building that houses exhibits is well air conditioned in the summer and heated in the winter, but the parts of the building that were used to house the prisoners have been left "as it was", so to experience at least some of the extreme conditions.
2. Musee Granet
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 1,271 reviews
Named after famous local painter François Marius Granet, this museum houses a collection of French paintings from the 16th century on.
Reviewed By Sightsee52724
Wonderful buildings, great collections. Muse Granet first location in an old mansion had 12 Cezanne paintings; not disable friendly but lovely experience. Location 2 was Granet xx in an old converted church which was fantastic with an absolutely wonderful collection of Picasso paintings and other well known artists. Second building was fully wheelchair accessible. Well worth the visit, reasonable entrance fees and Aix is one of the most charming cities you could wish to visit.
3. Atelier de Cezanne
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 1,218 reviews
It is here, on the Lauves’ hill amid his dearest familiar objects: the models of his ultimate still lifes, his furniture and work equipment that you will feel the most intensely the full presence of the painter. From 1902 to his death in 1906, Cezanne works daily in this bright studio, the birthplace of dozens of works now preserved in the great museums of the world, among them the last Bathers. The studio has a gift shop, regularly hosts temporary exhibitions and organizes cultural and gastronomic gatherings during the season. Coffee break and refreshments on site.
Reviewed By habiogrady
You get to know Cezanne as if he was standing next to us showing us around his workshop, with all the still life models, the tools he used to paint the Montagne Sainte Victoire which will lead him to create the master pieces we are familiar with today. It is the second time I visit. I will go back again as soon as I am around Aix en Provence. A unique expérience.
4. Fondation Vasarely
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 439 reviews
Reviewed By AdamS76 - Oxford, United Kingdom
We drove to Aix to see the Fondation Vasarely and we were not disappointed. I have been a fan of Bridget Riley and her contemporaries for a long time but I am new to Vasarely. I don't know why his work in not more famous. If you like Op Art, Pop Art or anything of this sort, I don't think you will be disappointed. The colours, the volume of pictures and the sheer scale of many of them is impressive and without parallel as far as I know. The Fondation and the works of art are in good condition and it makes for a very special day. Thanks to Pierre Vasarely and everyone else who made this spectacular display possible.
5. Gallifet
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 127 reviews
Gallifet Art Center is a contemporary art museum and garden restaurant located in the Quartier Mazarin in the heart of Aix en Provence, seconds from the Caumont Art Center and the Granet Museum. Opened in 2011 by Nicolas Mazet, this late XVII century mansion presents works by both up and coming and established living artists. In spring and summer you can enjoy lunch in the garden as well as jazz or classical music concerts in the evenings. As a student in the college right opposite, Cezanne would gaze over onto Gallifet's shimmering honeycomb façade, which people say influenced the master's future painting style.
Reviewed By N4674SIhugob
Beautiful art and delicious food. All products are locally sourced, recipes are both simple and sophisticated. Staff is very nice, and most of all the location is mind-blowing! Nested in the garden of an art gallery, you will enjoy the shadow of the massive trees on a summer evening and have the chance to discover some of the most talented rising talents of the modern European art scene... A must!
6. Musee du Calisson, Confiserie du Roy Rene
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 273 reviews
Le Calisson est une confiserie unique qui a traversé l’histoire. Reconnu du patrimoine de la ville d’Aix-en-Provence et plus largement comme un des emblèmes gastronomiques de la Provence. Au sein de la récente fabrique des calissons du Roy René, se trouve le Musée du calisson. Celui-ci offre la découverte des premiers gestes pour la récolte des amandes jusqu’à la fabrication du calisson. Un espace qui surplombe les ateliers de fabrication et de conditionnement, visibles à travers de grandes baies vitrées.
Reviewed By racheljQ3759IR
I love a quirky outing and I really liked this as a fun hour or so out of Aix in the car. It's not a huge museum but it's a lovely site and actually rather an attractive brand new factory. The museum gives you a good idea of how calissons are made and their history. It is all in French but even with fairly rudimentary French I enjoyed myself. Also a well stocked shop full of calisson goodies, although if I'm honest these are not the best tasting calissons I've had by a long shot. I was there on a Saturday and although there's a viewing area for the factory, no one was at work (naturally)!
