Once rivals, Aix-en-Provence and Marseille are now twin sisters committed to the same territory and claiming loud and clear their belonging to Provence! But both cities have their own character and personality.
Aix-en-Provence
- A BRIEF OVERVIEW -
In Aix, you should take a walk along the Cours Mirabeau, stroll through its market and its streets of elegant shops. The city's superb townhouses are a reminder that Aix was once the capital of Provence. Some of them have been transformed into luxury hotels or museums: this is the case of the Hôtel de Caumont, which houses a magnificent exhibition space with a rich and varied programme. A stone's throw away, the Granet Museum has been given a makeover for the "European Capital of Culture" year and attracts an international public keen on modern art, from Cézanne to Picasso. Aix is the city of Paul Cézanne: to get the most out of the city, a visit to his studio is a must, where time seems to have stood still. Aix is also famous for its Easter festival (10th edition in 2022, from 8 to 24 April!) and its lyrical art festival, which are renowned throughout the world: Americans and Japanese flock to the Grand Théâtre de Provence or the courtyard of the archbishop's palace every year in April and July to listen to operas by Wagner or Mozart.
All around Aix and Marseille, a preserved countryside, timeless Provençal landscapes where it is good to hike, cycle or run through these grandiose sceneries: the aqueduct of Roquefavour, the Sainte-Victoire mountain, the Etoile massif, the Nerthe massif and in the distance, as you reach the coast, the blue of the Mediterranean... You are almost there, down below is the sea and Marseille!
Marseille
- A BRIEF OVERVIEW -
Marseille the rebel, the oldest city in France, nestled on the Mediterranean, will not leave you indifferent. Marseille can be discovered in any season, and its many districts make it a plural and cosmopolitan city where Provençal traditions, trendy districts, fishing villages or business districts rub shoulders in a joyful hubbub.
Marseille has a coastline of more than 57 kilometres, from the north, from the Estaque district, to the south, towards the famous Calanques. This limestone massif, made up of creeks with crystal-clear waters, has been protected since 2012 under the Calanques National Park label, and many outdoor sports are practised there: diving, hiking, climbing or... trail running! But beware, this unique heritage is fragile and respecting the natural ecosystem is imperative.
Historical heritage: 2600 years of history weighs heavily. European Capital of Culture in 2013, this extraordinary year has transformed the city, with many museums as a legacy. Starting with the Mucem, a link between the shores of the Mediterranean, a sumptuous building clad in a concrete mesh and linked to the 17th century Fort Saint-Jean by a footbridge whose instagrams have been seen around the world! There is also the Museum of the History of Marseille in the city centre, just a stone's throw from the Old Port, the Museum of Decorative Arts and Fashion, which is housed in a former 16th century country house, and the Regards de Provence museum, which showcases Provençal painting from the 17th century to the present day. As for contemporary art, the Friche La Belle de Mai asserts its underground side; the MAMO on the roof of the Cité radieuse - Le Corbusier and its original exhibitions orchestrated by the famous designer Ora-ïto attract a sharp and trendy clientele. Not to mention the Frac Provence-Alpes Côte d'Azur in the Euroméditerranée district.
And because Marseille is above all friendly and warm, we meet for an aperitif which often lasts until the end of the night in one of the many bars of the Old Port, or towards the beaches, the Vallon des Auffes or Vauban, the new trendy district which stretches nonchalantly on the slopes of Notre-Dame de la Garde.
To discover Aix and Marseille, many tourist products are available on the website www.marseilleexperience.com
Classic guided tours, electric bike rides in the Calanques or the Sainte-Victoire, bouillabaisse courses, CityPass and many other activities to do with family or friends during your stay in Provence. We look forward to welcoming you!
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