Aix-en-Provence Cultural Activities

Take advantage of the unique flavor Aix-en-Provence has to offer. CEA offers a variety of local cultural activities to match your interests. Whether you enjoy music concerts, clubs, sports, cooking classes, language exchanges or something entirely different, our resident staff can help you get involved in the local culture. Here are just some examples.

A Farmer's life in Provence

A Farmer's life in Provence may look like quite the fairy tale from the lush Provençal environment, the easy pace of life, and those 300-plus days of Mediterranean sunshine every year. By visiting a local picturesque goat farm, however, you will learn just how much work actually goes into making that delicious morsel of goat cheese you are about to eat (French secret--it’s one of the healthiest cheeses!). Also, discover first hand why olive oil is so expensive when you go olive picking (much harder than it looks!) and tour the mill where it takes 11-15 lbs of olives to make just one liter of the flavorful liquid gold!

Rosé-The classic symbol of Provence

Marcel Pagnol, Brigitte Bardot, Jean Giono, Rosé...what do they all have in common? They are the classic symbols of Provence. Honestly what could be better on a warm Provençal day than sitting with a glass of rosé alongside the Mediterranean or the Cours Mirabeau for a little people-watching? Did you know there are actually nine officially recognized hues of this pink sophisticate? We'll tour the vineyards to see just how these grapes are pressed. (By the way, don't mistake rosé for a blush wine – that would be a sacré mistake!)

St. Victoire mountain, the jewel of Provence

Whether you're walking through the streets of Aix or cycling through the countryside, you can't help but notice its majestic peak as it juts into the skyline – a constant reminder of why an artist like Cezanne painted it 86 times! It is, of course, the St. Victoire mountain, the jewel of Provence. This mighty mountain beckons to us in so many ways. You can hike to its chapel-marked top (a four-hour hike), explore and enjoy a picnic at its feet, the growing of succulent grape vines in its shadows, and, as always, posing for its portrait.

Lavender

Every year, travelers come from around the world in a sort of ‘pilgrimage’ to the famous Lavender fields of Provence. Their travels are not in vain! With one whiff of the unmistakable revitalizing, yet soothing, scent, you will be hooked. Whether it’s visiting a local field or traveling north towards the Alps, the view of an endless sea of bluish purple waving to you in the wind will take your breath away. We'll learn about the distillation process as well as the many homeopathic uses for the feathery flower, including headaches and bug bites, help falling asleep.  

In the Footsteps of Cezanne, Van Gogh and Picasso: An Artist's Aix

If you happen to look down as you are walking the streets of Aix, you will notice gold plaques with the letter C embedded in the sidewalks. You are literally walking in the footsteps of Paul Cezanne. This famous impressionist painter was born in and lived in Aix, where he painted from his workshops when he was not discussing all things intellectual with his fellow Aixois comrade Emile Zola. Cezanne even inspired Picasso, who one day announced that he bought Cezanne’s mountain. Picasso was referring to his purchase of the Château de Vauvernarges overlooking the Saint Victoire mountain. This castle has recently been opened to the public for the first time in more than 50 years following Picasso’s death. Here you will discover exclusive pieces from Picasso’s personal collection.