AIX-EN-PROVENCE

June 2008. This photo-journal is about the beautiful and historic college town of about 150,000 in southern France that was once the capital of the Kingdom of Provence.

Aix began in 123 BC as Aquae Sextiae, a Roman springs and spa situated in a fertile plain with a warm climate near the Arc River, a tributary of the Rhône. For almost 900 years it was fought over by a succession of barbarians, Saracens, knights, and others. By the 13th century the first university was founded and it finally became a peaceful centre for the Arts ... (more)

location of Aix
It’s to the north of Marseille, so strictly speaking, it’s...

fountain at ''la rotonde''
Just as every city has a central reference point, in Aix it is this...

closeup
The statuary is magnificent. Note the plane trees in the background: in...

at night
The three statues at the top represent Aix’s three main...

the traditional carrousel
As mentioned in earlier articles, every town in southern France seems...

Market Square
This view shows the Town Hall on the left, and the old clock tower (1510)....

This 1755 fountain ...
… surmounted by a Roman column, stands in the Market Square.

the plaque ,,,
… dedicating the fountain and column to Louis XV.

City Hall
Built in the middle of the 17th century, it is a beautiful example of that...

The variety ...
… of local produce in February is impressive. The market operates...

the flower market

a farmer's van
I couldn’t resist photographing this battered old Citroën van. I...

heading through ...
... the clock tower, which contains an astronomical clock dating from 1661.

on the other side
You can see the Cathedral's tower in the background.

front view ...
… of the Cathédrale du Saint Sauveur (Holy Saviour...

a Cézanne commemorative plaque
This is just one of dozens. The local artist Paul Cézanne is...

the cathedral's facade
The square in front of the cathedral is fairly large, but even with a...

a closer look
The intricate stone carving reminds me somewhat of the plateresque and...

main entrance adornments
These represent four prophets and twelve sibyls, in Renaissance style.

one of the great ...
… stained glass windows

another window

the Great (central) nave
It was built between 1285 and 1290, in Gothic style.

smaller right side nave
It is mainly Romanesque in style, dating from the 12th century.

a side altar ...
… at the front of the right side nave

another side altar ...
… at the front of the 1695 left side (baroque) nave

some of the organ's ...
... impressive pipes. Built by a Dominican monk, the organ was installed in...

a tryptic ...
… one of the cathedral’s priceless works of art.

the adjoining baptistry
This, the oldest part of the cathedral, dates from the early 5th century. The...

a sacred statue

the archbishop's palace
Built in 1838, it sits behind a small square beside the cathedral. Today it...

Place d'Albertas ...
… and hotel with fountain originally built in the 1800s, but...

Aix's great avenue
This is the entrance, just off Place Charles de Gaulle, to the Cours...

statue representing ...
… the Arts and Sciences, as created by the university, at one...

statue representing ...
… the Decorative Arts. It also is located at the entrance to the Cours...

The Cours Mirabeau ...
… was laid out in 1652 as a separation between the old city (religious,...

Café des Deux Garçons …
… on the Cours. This is Aix’s most famous café, and was the...

'mossy fountain' ...
… half-way along the Cours. The moss has grown over the...

Good King René
An enlightened Renaissance monarch, he spoke several languages, was a...

another fountain
Unfortunately, I didn’t get its name.

La fontaine des …
… Quatre Dauphins (the Four Dolphins fountain), a baroque masterpiece in...

and yet another
It’s pretty spectacular: I can’t be sure, but I think...

Paul Cézanne (1839-1906) …
… was Aix’s most famous native son. His post-Impressionist...

the guardian angel

along the road ...
… to Mont Sainte Victoire. This 1012 m (±3,320 ft) mountain...

a side view
Coming toward Aix from any direction, this mountain is spectacular....

article published 06/10/2008

Comments

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What a beautiful town! Some nice scenery as well. thanks for sharing.
— Ben Hsu, July 18, 2008

Ancient Beauty
Wow, Aix-En-Provence is such a gorgeous and ancient city! You summarized all of the hot-spots beautifully :)
— Misty, June 16, 2008

... and I thank YOU, Tony, for your kind comments.
— Fred Perry, June 15, 2008

Superb pictures, superb commentary after what must have been a lot of research. What more can I say? Excellent. Thanks Fred. Tony from England.
— Tony Ethridge, June 13, 2008

Thanks so much, Fred, for your wonderful pictures, I really appreciated seeing them!! the history notes are "just right", also!!
— Eleanor Robb, June 12, 2008

Another favourite town in Provence . I enjoyed your history lesson and great photos very much. Thank you Fred and best wishes .
— Margaret Sherwood, June 11, 2008

Wow, great place Fred....
I love the fountains, the carousel & of course the architecture, especially city hall & the awesome cathedral, both inside & out. in particular the painted dome on the side altar & the delightful organ.... Loved that old van - it's sure been through the wars huh? My fav shots were pic 20 - the stained glass window (perfect) & pic 45 - the side view of the mtn....

Great job with great info, as usual (applause)....
— Lorraine Brecht, June 11, 2008

Thanks Fred: Great article and the photos are something else. Makes me want to hop on a plane, maybe this will be my next trip! Take care.
— eleanor, June 11, 2008

Hi, Fred, thanks for your latest tour - the pictures are so interesting, especially the last ones of the limestone mountain, it is quite unique.

- Barbara
— Barbara, June 10, 2008

Fred, you have done an awesome article. So detailed and informative. I felt like I was there enjoying all the wonders. You are a very talented man.
— Margo, June 10, 2008

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