In Aix-en-Provence, art and history range from Cézanne’s studio to a cathedral with Romanesque, Gothic and Baroque naves. Museums, historic buildings and a guided hike through an ochre-colored landscape offer different focal points—useful when deciding which sides of the city you want to shape your stay.
Cézanne, Art and Architecture
The Cezanne Studio was built in 1901 on Chemin des Lauves. It preserves the artist’s furniture, objects for his still lifes, and a number of original watercolors and drawings. These items give an exploration of Cézanne a tangible connection to his work: the studio is distinguished not only by the paintings, but also by the furniture and objects from the setting of his still lifes.
The Musée Granet also offers several perspectives on art history. It displays around 750 works, spanning from the Old Masters and the Renaissance to modern and contemporary art. Two rooms are dedicated to Paul Cézanne. Regular international exhibitions, multilingual guided tours, educational programs and a dynamic cultural program complement the collection. If you want to make a museum visit a set part of your trip, you can take current exhibitions and guided tours into account when planning and check the relevant dates.
Art and architecture come together in a different way at the Fondation Vasarely. On the ground floor, sixteen hexagonal modules display 42 monumental architectural integrations and two sculptures. The Fondation is classified as a historic monument and has been recognized as a Musée de France since December 10, 2020. The details about the modules, integrations and sculptures make the site especially interesting for travelers interested not only in individual works, but also in art on an architectural scale.
Architectural History in the Cityscape
The Cathédrale Saint-Sauveur brings together three naves in different styles: Romanesque, Gothic and Baroque. Its architectural forms therefore represent more than one era. The site’s long history includes the fact that the first group of bishops at the location of today’s cathedral dates back to the 5th century. Before that came the Roman forum, built in the 1st century BC in the center of Aquae Sextiae.
Other architectural landmarks mark out their own periods. The Fontaine de l’Hôtel de Ville was built in 1756 and classified as a historic monument in 1905. For the Pavillon de Vendôme, the dates for the building and garden are separate: the pavilion was classified as a historic monument in 1914, and its garden in 1953. A museum in the pavilion illustrates the furnishings of Aix-en-Provence’s hôtels particuliers during the Grand Siècle. Together, the cathedral, fountain and pavilion offer different ways to explore history—from the site’s early development to later building and furnishing traditions.
Landscape and Local Specialties
Beyond art and architectural history, a guided hike leads through the Carrières de Bibémus. The ochre-colored landscape is associated with Cezanne. The route is steep and requires good mobility and sturdy hiking shoes. Take these requirements into account when deciding whether the hike is right for your stay. Reservations for visits to the Carrières de Bibémus are made through the Aix-en-Provence tourist information office; check the current booking procedures there in advance.
For a culinary discovery, the markets of Aix-en-Provence offer the chance to sample local specialties. They thus complement visits to museums and historic buildings with a different way to experience the city. Whether you focus on Cézanne, different periods of art, architecture, landscape or local specialties, these options show the many ways to explore Aix-en-Provence.
Discover more destinations: Fontvieille, Les-Pennes-Mirabeau, Saint-Cannat, La Roque-D'anthéron, Aurons, Cornillon-Confoux, Marseille, Le Tholonet
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