The Traveller's Guide to the Bouches-Du-Rhône Sectorsthe Five Sectors Themestravel Themes of the Bouches-Du-Rhône Culture and Heritage Prehistory and Antiquity P
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> The traveller’s guide The Traveller's Guide to the Bouches-du-Rhône SectorsThe Five Sectors ThemesTravel Themes of the Bouches-du-Rhône Culture and Heritage Prehistory and Antiquity P. 56 Aix and Salon-de-Provence Sector P. 7 Church Architecture P. 58 Aix-en-Provence P. 8 Castles P. 59 The Countryside around Aix-en-Provence P. 11 Salon-de-Provence P. 12 Rural and Village Architecture P. 60 The Countryside around Salon-de-Provence P. 13 Urban and Suburban Architecture P. 61 Discovery Circuits P. 14 Feast Days and Festivals P. 62 Crafts and Popular Traditions P. 64 Saint-Rémy and the Alpilles Sector P. 17 Cultural Creativity P. 66 Saint-Rémy de Provence P. 18 Gastronomy P. 68 The Countryside around Saint-Rémy P. 20 Discovery Circuits P. 22 Outdoor Pursuits Arles, the Camargue and La Crau Sector P. 25 Water P. 72 Arles P. 26 The Countryside around Arles P. 30 Protected Natural Sites P. 74 Discovery Circuits P. 32 Water-centred Activities P. 76 Golf Courses and Driving Ranges P. 78 Martigues and the Côte Bleue Sector P. 35 Hiking, Horse Riding and Cycling P. 80 Martigues P. 36 Climbing and Caving P. 82 The Countryside around Martigues P. 38 Discovery Circuits P. 40 Children Marseille and the Calanques Sector P. 43 Practical Information P. 86 Marseille P. 44 The Countryside around Marseille and Aubagne P. 49 Discovery Circuits P. 50 General Information P. 88 The Five Sectors of the Bouches-du-Rhône 7 Aix and Salon-de-Provence Saint-Rémy and the Alpilles 17 Arles, 25 the Camargue and La Crau Martigues and the Côte Bleue 35 Marseille and the Calanques 43 Aix and Salon-de-Provence Overview This sector, along with the Alpilles, is one of the inland regions of Provence. To the north, the Durance River and the Luberon Natural Park form a natural border. This is an area of alternating hills and plains, favourable to agriculture and urban life. Two towns have developed here: Aix-en-Provence and Salon-de Provence. Emerging from the landscape to the west and seen from many miles around is the great sentinel of the Sainte-Victoire Mountain (1,011m) - known all over the world through the paintings of Cézanne. The City of Aix-en-Provence, which lies at the foot of the mountain, was once the capi- tal of Provence and attracts many visitors. Climate The climate is rather variable according to the area. This region in fact has several microclimates. Overall, the summers are hot, the winters sunny and mid-seasons mild and ideal of travelling. Winters are colder away from the coast in the north of the département. Access All modes of transport: Marseille-Provence Airport, Marseille Sea Port, railway lines (TGV station close to Aix in 2001), and major routes to Italy, Spain and the north of France (A7, A8). The area of Aix is ideally located from the point of view of natural environment and communications network. 7 � � � � � �� Aix-en-Provence ��� �� � �� �� �� � �� � � Overview and Climate ����� � � � � � Aix-en-Provence The summers are � has a population of hot, winters cool and � 134,222 and is built sunny, mid-season on a plain at the is mild. The area foot of the Puyricard has several microcli- Plateau and the mates, some windy Sainte-Victoire some more sheltered, Mountain. some more humid. Gates of openwork bars, stone pillars, � discreet entrances for � History � � � distinguished � � residents. � �� Originally founded known since the first ������ on the slopes above century BC. In the the plain 15th century, the Beautiful mansions everywhere: tall windows, (Entremont university was stucco ceilings and pier glass mirrors. Settlement), expanded ������������� the pres- and in the ��������� � ent site of 17th and 18th ���� �� ��� ��� ���� �� Aix bears centuries the �� a Roman town became a name, Aquae model of archi- Sextiae. tecture (Mazarin The hot Quarter). water The muscular body of Atlas unveils the springs splendours of a have been golden age. On the Place de l’Hôtel de Ville the old clock Notable Heritage idly counts In the old medieval century quarter is away the hours. town visit the Saint well worth a visit for Sauveur Cathedral the architecture in and its neighbour- general: the Quartier hood, the area around Mazarin and the area The town hall is also the city hall. The around the bishop’s a stage on which the In the quiet gardens passer-by may become 17th and 18th palace where the of noble pavilions. a player in a carefully Rich reminder of chosen urban scene. music festival is an era when luxury held, the Pavillon rubbed shoulders de Vendôme, Place with sensual delight. Famous Figures of the Past d’Albertas, the pri- A town is as Emile Zola lived here vate mansions, the remarkable for before becoming Cours Mirabeau and General Atmosphere its people as for a novelist and tak- the fountains. It is its architecture. ing up the cause of The town is known for its distinguished extremely pleasant to and aristocratic charm. The inhabitants Mirabeau was one Dreyfus and in the wander in any part of boast of an easy way of life. Festival of the major play- 20th century Darius the old town. town, visual town, it draws students and ers in the French Milhaud followed in Sculpted doors and forged chic visitors. 17th century classicism and Revolution. Paul the footsteps of the doorknockers - the skilled fine 18th century buildings are very Cézanne founded 17th century com- hands that fashioned these show that there is even an prominent in the old town, which conceals modern art analys- poser André Campra art to entering! a multitude of handsome town mansions, ing the light of (see “Route Cézanne and where one may wander casually in an In the Middle Ages, the town was the Sainte-Victoire and Promenade Zola” fortified against all incursions. architectural environment reminiscent of Today it is open to excursions. theatrical decor. Mountain. His friend tours). Siege of the city of Aix by the Duke d’Epernon – 16th century – Musée Granet Collection – Ville d’Aix- plate B. Terlay 9 Aix Sector Close to Aix-en-Provence The countryside of settlement of Tholonet or the Route a taste for beauty. Aix-en-Provence is Entremont, an archae- Cézanne leads to Visit La Mignarde, La Museums Events famous for its coun- ological site, is testi- the Sainte-Victoire Gaude and Lanfant The Musée du Vieil outside Aix. The The International to the old archbish- try houses and land- mony to the history Mountain through on the Route des Aix, the Tapestry Pavillon de Vendôme Festival of Lyric Arts op’s palace during scapes and is usually of the Salyens, its first beautiful country- Pinchinats, then the Museum relate some tells us love stories has brought notoriety the month of July. explored by car: inhabitants. side. The 17th and Plateau de Puyricard. of the moments of of the 17th cen- to the town both Other major events 18th century houses The Celto-Ligurian The Route du The sunny vineyards the local past. The tury. The Atelier Paul within France and include the “Danse à scattered across the of Palette, which Granet Museum has Cézanne is enjoyed abroad. The operas Aix” (Dance Festival), landscape truly repre- been renovated and by admirers of one of Mozart, baroque the Santon Fair, and sent the art of living: produce some fine its collections extend- of the most impor- music and bel canto numerous congresses. stone architecture, AOC wines, are not ed. Now it is opening tant painters in the attract music lovers gardens and far out of town. The to the public again history of art, with Fondation Vasarely And Emile Zola? sculptures display in majestic manner souvenirs of the art- Fitness great distinction and houses the painter’s in order to honour ist in the Maison des Who do Aix-en-Provence Aix is a spa town The Sainte-Victoire Mountain: the monumental works of Cézanne. The Lauves where he fin- and Sainte-Victoire make most important monument of Aix en in a contemporary with water cures you think of? Cézanne Provence - so present, yet seemingly Museum of Natural ished his canvasses. so distant. building. History tells of the Monumental works available at the of course, who painted dinosaur eggs found by the painter and Sextius baths. The this mountain as if it graphic artist Vasarely spa, in the old town were the only one in the The Countryside around Aix are exhibited in the centre, still offers world, but Emile Zola? Fondation on the thermal cures in the A friend of Cézanne’s, he From Aix, in every Plaintain and perma- Victoire Mountain. too came from Aix. His edge of the city. waters direction - the coun- nent Provençal wood- Gardanne is notable discovered father constructed the tryside and villages lands discovery cen- for its industrial Paul Cézanne’s Studio: by the dam not far from the in the footsteps of the are waiting to be tre for children), then activity (coal and master of Aix whose Romans. famous Route Cézanne, explored… cross the Trévaresse aluminium) and its nature it was to which winds its way Range towards Le popular markets recreate. from Aix out to the To the East Puy-Sainte-Réparade (nature workshops at Mountain. Emile Zola The Sainte-Victoire Local Products was firstly a novelist and (Château Lacoste the Fondation pour tour (60kms) is an wines). Continue on la Forêt, a woodland Calissons d’Aix, his descriptions of the introduction to the to the Romanesque ecomuseum for made from almond bourgeoisie of the time Mountain: an arid Abbey of Silvacane children and adults). paste and crystallised found fertile ground in area with opportuni- and the village of La Further on, visit fruits, have been Lively markets the Aix region where Château de Vauvenargues.