"Graceful" and "bustling" are two somewhat contradictory words that accurately describe Aix-en-Provence, 32 km (20 miles) north of Marseille, 760 km (472 miles) south of Paris (map).

Aix (pronounced 'X') is a charming old Provençal city of medieval streets and squares, elegant avenues lined with tall sycamore trees, and a host of great ecclesiastical buildings.

The painter Paul Cézanne was born in Aix, grew up here, and returned to his native city after spending some years in the Parisian Impressionist milieu. He chose the surroundings of Aix as the subject of many of his finest works. You can visit his studio and other significant places of his life and career.

Mont Sainte-Victoire, often painted by Cézanne.

Other notable art collections are in the Musée Granet and Fondation Vasarely—plenty for artists and art-lovers to see and do in Aix.

You can't miss the Cours Mirabeau, among the most beautiful boulevards in France, lined with fine mansions and shaded by huge overarching sycamores.

The Cathédrale et Cloître St-Sauveur must be added to your collection of grand Provençal cathedrals, and the Église de Ste-Marie-Madeleine is also worth a visit.

But the spirit of Aix is in its fine medieval streets and squares. To spend a few hours sipping, chatting, dining and people-watching among the students, locals and visitors in one of the quiet squares is to get to know Aix, and get an inkling of what it's like to live here. More...

Marseille has the closest major airport, from which airport shuttle buses depart every 5 minutes for Aix. TGV trains and regional TER trains connect Aix with cities throughout France. More...

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