Aix-en-Provence Local Secrets

As an organization that sends thousands of students abroad each year, CEA has captured a list of local secrets - a collection of discoveries from our students, resident staff, as well as other locals - that make this city unique. We hope you will find the information helpful and, at the very least, an interesting read.

Pavillon de Vendome

Take a picnic lunch to Pavillon de Verdome and enjoy the quiet beauty of this haven in the center of town.

Fontaine d’Eau Chaude

Called the fountain of hot water, this fountain starts to steam when the weather gets cold, as the temperature of the water is hotter than the air outside.

Student Hangout

O'Shannons is a great place for the young student crowd.

Pizza Capri

The absolutely best in the world pizza made here. The big favorite in Aix with all CEA students.

Follow the Footsteps of Cezanne

"I go to the country every day. The scenery is beautiful, so my days pass more pleasantly here than anywhere else." - Cezanne, 9/22/1906. A great way to explore what Cezanne found so breathtaking is to take the Cezanne tour.

Did you know?

You can walk across the historic center of Aix in 10 minutes and from one side of town to the other in less than two hours.

Chestnuts in the winter

You won’t be able to resist the aroma of fresh roasted chestnuts from street vendors.

Great sidewalk cafes

Located along the Cours Mirabeau, the tree-lined main streets in Aix are Le Grillon, Les Deux Garçons, La Belle Epoque and Le Café du Cours.

Check out the Farmers Market

Every morning - 365 days a year - there is a hodge-podge of local vendors selling fresh produce, food, and colorful flowers.

Saint Sauveur Cathedral

This unusual church is a mélange of architectural styles built on a site that has had religious significance for more than 2,000 years. Once the site of a pagan temple, it was co-opted by the Romans for one of their temples. Materials from the Roman temple were later incorporated into the construction of the Christian church.

Construction of the church proceeded intermittently over a millennium, interrupted by war, plague, and political disruptions. The oldest part of the church is the Merovingian baptistery, which dates to 500 AD.