Aix-en-Provence

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Cezanne Market Day Vineyard

Aix-en-Provence

 

Aix-en-Provence Hotel de Ville (city hall)

 

astronomical clock
with a figure representing the Fall season

Aix-en-Provence or Aix, city in southeastern France, in Bouches-du-Rhône Department, near Marseille. The city is a trade center for olives, almonds, and wine; industries produce textiles, leather, and processed food. The city's pleasant setting and warm climate attract many tourists. A summer music festival is held annually in the city. The University of Aix (1409, reorganized 1970) is here.

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Pl. de l'Hotel de Ville

 

the pediment of the Corn Exchange represents farming prosperity in Provence
 provided by the Rhone and Durance rivers

 

a modern sun dial

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cathedral of Saint-Sauveur

 

the cathedral bell tower was built between 1323 and 1425

 

the facade

The cathedral of Saint-Sauveur contains Roman, early Christian, Romanesque, Gothic, and Renaissance styles of architecture.

 

Saint Michael

 

dome of Romanesque nave of the church

 

carved wooden dooror

 

The leaves of the gate were carved in walnut tree heartwood
by Jean Guiramand at the beginning of the 16th century

 

modern altar in the gothic nave

 

 

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good King Rene 1409 - 1480

Aix-en-Provence was founded about 123 BC by the Romans, who named its thermal springs Aquae Sextiae. In the 11th century it became a famous center of music and literature; later, many painters worked in the picturesque city. The painter Paul Cezanne was born and died here. Aix-en-Provence passed to the French crown in the 1480s. The French then converted the court palace of Provence, which was located here, into the parliament building for the Provence region. The palace was demolished in the 18th century. Population 134,222 (1999).

Text from Microsoft Encarta

 



Rotunda Fountain 1860

 

cafe of the two waiters on Cours Mirabeau
favorite meeting place of many notables, including Cezanne

 

Mime applying makeup
on the Cours Mirabeau

 

Louis Pasteur

Aix-en-Provence has had a university since 1409

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Buildings of Aix

 

Palais de Malta (1676)
Commanderie of the Knights of Malta

 

a nearby fountain

 

Hotel de Caumont

 

interior of what is now a university building

 

elegant door knocker

 

the Trompe L'Oeil decor of the Hotel de Chataurenard

 

school

 

chamber of commerce

 

Albertas fountain

 

lions fountain
(plaque is of Cézanne)

 

The Museum of Natural History

 

Madeleine church

 

high school

 

old town

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Return to Provence Elderhostel page

Albi Aix-en-Provence Arles Avignon Basque France Bayeux Biarritz Brest Brittany Bordeaux Camargue Carcassonne Cathedrals Chartres Cognac Colmar Giverny Langres Loire Valley Lourdes Marseilles Mont St. Michel Nice Nimes Normandy Paris Pont du Gard Provence Rouen Saone and Rhone Rivers St. Paul de Vence Strasbourg Vals les Bains Versailles

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