Banks: 09:30 to 16:30, Monday to Friday 
Post Offices: 08:00 to 19:00, Monday to Friday; 08:00 to noon, Saturday 
Government Offices: 09:00 to 17:00, Monday to Friday 
Business Centres: 09:00 to 17:00, Monday to Friday 
Shops: 09:00 to 18:00, Monday to Saturday

Aix en Provence is a safe, small town with a low crime rate, yet pickpockets operate here, as with anywhere else in the world, and you should keep an eye out for them at bus and train stations and at major attractions. Those partaking in hiking and rock climbing while visiting Aix should take special care when climbing nearby Ste-Victoire Mountain, as slips and falls are common, particularly in spring.

220V, 50Hz; twin round-pin sockets.

There are no major health risks to be aware of when visiting Aix En Provence, owing to its high standards of food hygiene, clean air and tidy streets. Drinking bottled water is recommended to those with weak stomachs although tap water is purported to be safe to drink. Aix also comes with good hospitals and clinics as well as 24-hour pharmacies, but taking out good travel insurance before visiting goes without saying.

Emergency services: 15
CH Pays d'Aix Hospital: +33 4 4233 5000

French is the official language of Aix En Provence, although you may hear regional dialects being spoken due to the proximity with Marseille and Spain.

The currency of France is the euro (EUR), and €1.00 is equal to 100 cents.

If you enter France from outside the EU, you can bring in duty-free items to the amounts of: 200 cigarettes, 50 cigars or 250 grams of tobacco; 1 litre of spirits over 22 per cent and 2 litres of wine; 250ml of eau de toilette; and gifts up to €175.00. EU travellers can import as much duty-paid produce as they like, within reason.

The French dress well, place a lot of emphasis on looking good and are generally well-mannered. They expect tourists to dress politely when wandering the streets of Aix, meaning wearing beach attire in the street is not recommended. The French are sticklers for shaking hands, while women kiss cheeks (left, then right). Tipping isn’t compulsory, as most restaurants include service charges in the bill although a token amount for good quality and service is recommended.

The Aix en Provence Tourist Office, open seven days a week, provides useful information on attractions and getting about in Aix and is located at 2 Place du Général de Gaulle in the city centre. Phone: +33 4 4216 1161.