Aix En Provence Activities
Outdoor Activities
 Aix en Provence has many options for keeping the kids and the active happy. The weather and countryside here are perfect, and on the occasion that it does rain, there is an indoor karting circuit and an ice-skating rink. In addition, those into walking will enjoy the town, the parks and the many hiking trails of Ste-Victoire Mountain.
 Aix Walking Tours
Aix en Provence is ideal for walking, with its many pedestrianised thoroughfares and parks, and walking is the best way to get the most out of the city. Fine architecture is all around in the form of ancient buildings and bell towers built to withstand the notorious Mistral winds. In addition, there are plenty of terraced cafés to stop off en-route for a coffee or a baguette.
 Aqua City
Aqua City is a fun day out for all the family in Aix, with its mega swimming pools and giant slides. Located in the south of the city, it is an ideal place to visit when the weather gets too hot in the summer. Here kids can enjoy many water-based attractions, such as toboggans and tunnels, and the recent addition, the Demon River. Phone: +33 4 9151 5408.
 Go-karting
Aix en Provence has France’s best indoor go-kart track, which is actually more of a mini Formula 1 course. Aptly named Kartinside, the track is over half a mile long and features a quality layout with chicanes and state-of-the-art karts. The safety preparations here are excellent, making it ideal for young kids to try their hand at go-karting here. There is also a good restaurant onsite. Phone: +33 4 4297 7999.
Hiking
The most famous mountain in Aix en Provence is that of Ste-Victoire Mountain, which was famously captured in its best light by French artist Cézanne. There is a range of hikes going up the mountain which cater to most levels of fitness, and the views of the countryside and city once you reach the summit are superb. Ste-Victoire Mountain is also very popular with rock climbers.
 Ice Skating
Although Aix doesn’t have harsh enough winters to produce ice, it does have a number of quality rinks where you can go for a slide. Megaglace is the most popular ice-skating rink in the city with locals and tourists and is especially popular with families. You can take your kids for a day’s tuition with one of the top coaches here or enjoy other sports on the ice, such as ice hockey, ice racing and even ice dancing. Quality equipment is available for hire. Phone: +33 4 4260 0060.
Cultural Activities
Aix en Provence has a slew of interesting cultural highlights, most of which can be accessed on foot. There are many high quality museums here, but the sheer amount of ancient structures, including centuries-old chapels and university buildings, are its main feature. Cours Mirabeau is the most enchanting street in the city for historians.
 Aix en Provence Museums
There are many fine and interesting museums in Aix including: the Museum of Old Aix en Provence, with its exhibits on Aix’s history; the art and archaeology displays of the Granet Museum and the Tapestry Museum, with its collection of 17th and 18th century items. Tourists can also get hold of a museum pass for decent reductions on entry.
 Chapelle Penitents-gris
Chapelle Penitents-gris, or Chapelle des Bourras, is an ancient chapel from the 1500s which honours Saint Joseph. The chapel was famously built on the Roman Aurelian road which links Rome and Spain and was restored by the founder of the Institute for American Universities, Herbert Maza. This fine chapel on Rue Lieutaud is open to the public although reservations are a must. Phone: +33 4 4226 2672.
Cité Universitaire
Aix en Provence University (Cité Universitaire Aix en Provence) is a huge institution of some 30,000 students, containing many attractive campus buildings. Although most campus buildings are modern-looking structures outside the city, there are also loads of ancient buildings within the city centre which have become landmarks. Have a look just to the south of Boulevard du Roi René, where the original Faculty of Philosophy—the oldest part of the university—dates from the early 1400s.
Cours Mirabeau
Running between the Old Town and the Mazarin Quarter, Cours Mirabeau is one of the oldest and most interesting streets in Aix en Provence and has been popular since the 1100s. For people watching, this is it. You can sit at a terraced café along the tree-lined street and ogle at the posh mansions on the other side of the road.
 Fountains of Aix
Aix en Provence is loaded with dozens of fountains of all shapes and sizes at locations throughout the city. A walking tour of the town is the best way to pick them out, with the Old Town andCours Mirabeau having a good selection as well as the most impressive fountain. The oldest fountain in the city amazingly dates back to the 1500s.
Park Jourdane
Situated just to the south of the city centre along Rue Anatole France, Park Jourdane is a classical French garden in its lower extremities and a romantic-style garden in the upper part. There is a children’s playground here as well as a boules area, while plenty of open-air entertainment goes off in the park in the summer months. Phone: +33 4 4291 8883.
Dining & Shopping
 Cours Mirabeau has the best range of restaurants in Aix en Provence, and Rue de la Couronne is also a popular street. Everything can be had in this area, from nouvelle cuisine and French fusion to seafood, Chinese, Mexican, and Italian tastes. In addition, there are also Japanese, South American and even African eateries in this area.
Cours Mirabeau has the best range of restaurants in Aix en Provence, and Rue de la Couronne is also a popular street. Everything can be had in this area, from nouvelle cuisine and French fusion to seafood, Chinese, Mexican, and Italian tastes. In addition, there are also Japanese, South American and even African eateries in this area.
 Popular Aix en Provence soups worth trying out include soupe de poisson (fish soup), soupe au pistou (vegetable soup with beans), and bouillabaisse (fish soup dish with garlic, tomatoes and onions). Fish is also used extensively in Aix’s range of main dishes, as are local cheeses.
Aix en Provence is first and foremost a lively market town and as such it offers several interesting markets throughout the week. Place de la Madeleine and Place des Pêcheurs in the city centre have good markets on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays, while Place Richelme has a charming market that is a tourist attraction in itself.
 Aix has also grown in shopping stature over the years and is known for its many fashion boutiques, independent clothing stores, fine perfumeries, and its glut of souvenir shops.
| 
