If you are thinking about going from Marseille to Aix-en-Provence to soak up some culture, you just have to get in your rental car and check out the options below.
Quintessential French culture
Aix-en-Provence is only half an hour away from Marseille. This city was the ancient capital of the historical region of Provence, and today it is the third most populated city, behind Paris and Lyon. The historic city centre is a reflection of the value of French heritage. Baroque mansions, fountains scattered in the squares and narrow streets like those of the Mazarin district where you will love getting lost.
In the shadow of the Sainte-Victoire mountain, immortalised by Paul Cézanne, it combines a big-city personality with a quiet Provençal market, charming cafés and a good selection of museums. There is also the Grand Théâtre de Provence, which hosts operas, concerts and festivals, such as the famous Easter Festival.
But if you want to go from Marseille to Aix-en Provence to soak up the culture, it is best to get around freely. That's why a rental car is the most practical way to save time travelling and be able to spend it touring museums, churches and viewpoints instead. And if you are there at the right time, an event of interest to you. At OK Mobility, you can pick up your car at Marseille airport. And when it’s time to return it, you can either return it to this branch or any of our other branches in France.
From Marseille to Aix-en-Provence: cultural proposals
If you already know that you want to go from Marseille to Aix-en-Provence, here are some recommendations for your trip.
Cours Mirabeau and the fountains
You can start with the Cours Mirabeau, the most important avenue in Aix. It is flanked by trees, cafes and old mansions, and is the heart of local life. There are plenty of terraces where you can sit and have a drink and contemplate fountains like the Fontaine de la Rotonde. They are the best place to daydream about what aristocratic life was like centuries ago.
Saint-Sauveur Cathedral
Aix Cathedral is another must-see. Its architecture fuses different styles, and has Romanesque, Gothic and neo-Gothic elements. It preserves Roman columns of the ancient forum that was situated there. If you like visiting religious sites, don't miss its interior.
Chapel of the Oblates
At the top of the Cours Mirabeau, in Place Forbin, you will find the chapel of the Oblates. It is a historical monument with a baroque façade and a spiritual interior. It was built at the end of the 17th century, and later became attached to the Oblate missionaries.
Granet and Cézanne Museum
If you don't have a lot of time to visit all the museums and you have to choose just one, go for the Granet Museum. Its collection of paintings is very broad and ranges from the 14th century to modern art. Highlights include works by Cézanne, Picasso and other 20th-century greats. But it's not just about seeing the art; you can also follow in Cézanne's footsteps through the city. Aix also offers the Cézanne route where you can visit his workshop, his family home and the places that inspired him. Near Aix is also the town of Gardanne, another link to the painter because it was here that he painted some of his works.
Saint-Pierre Cemetery
Another place of interest is the Saint-Pierre cemetery. Several painters and sculptors were laid to rest here, including Cézanne. It is a quiet place, full of history and art, and has several memorials, such as the Heroes of the Resistance and the Martyrs of the Liberation Memorial or the Indochina Memorial, among others.
Grand Théâtre de Provence
The Grand Théâtre de Provence is a modern building with a well thought-out aesthetic, but it is also a lively cultural centre. It has an international programme that includes operas, concerts, lyrical singing, festivals and dance performances.
Walk through the Mazarin district and the Caumont Palace
The Mazarin district, next to the Cours Mirabeau, preserves 17th- and 18th-century mansions with elegant facades. One of the most outstanding is the Caumont Palace, which has been converted and is now an art centre. Temporary exhibitions are held both in its gardens and in the baroque halls.
Simiane-Collongue
And outside the city, you can stop in this small, but charming village. It has historical remains, a Romanesque church and trails overlooking Sainte-Victoire, which connect us directly to the artists and writers who were inspired by the area.
These are our cultural proposals if you are travelling from Marseille to Aix-en-Provence. A perfect route to relax and surround yourself with art and history. With a rental car in Marseille with OK Mobility, you can get around at your own pace and visit both the city and the points of interest in the surrounding area.
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