Wondering how you can spend one day in Aix en Provence? I know the place like the back of my hand, and here’s how you can do it like an Aixois.

Unofficially known as the little bougie city of Paris, Aix en Provence has this charm that will blow you away once you step foot here.

It’s the noises of cigales echoing in the air, the smell of the south that makes your heart tingle, the old city setting that brings you back in time, and the most important thing is the local people with their warmest smiles that make the city alive and cheerful.

Walking around the city is feasible. You don’t need a car, which makes it one of the reasons why you should visit Aix en Provence.

While the city can be small, Aix has abundant tales and stories. Every corner you take has a story behind a statue, a building, a pole, or a fountain.

I always come here for a visit whenever I am back in France. There are many reasons why you should come to Aix-en-Provence, but one of the reasons is that people are friendlier than the Parisians 😛

You’ll enjoy spending one day or two here at Aix en Provence. You can never get bored of this city, especially on the weekends!

Here are the things you shall not miss while spending one day in Aix en Provence.

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Have A Good Menu of Le Petit Dejeuner

One of the things I look forward to is having a good breakfast meal in Aix en Provence. The breakfast menu has an extensive and exquisite experience that will linger in your memory.

The petite menu costs between 5 to 8 € (6 – 9 USD), depending on the café’s location and whether you have orange juice.

The perfect place to have a good breakfast while enjoying the scenic atmosphere of Aix-en-Provence is, first, on Cours Mirabeau and second, around Place de Hotel de Ville.

I prefer the latter as it offers an open view of the boulevard, while the other provides a shady area.

Pro Tip: Get your tummy happy first before kick-starting the day. Enjoy the breakfast menu at one of the cafés along Cours Mirabeau. Order the ‘petit déjeuner’ menu, with un jus d’orange!

Stroll Along Cours Mirabeau

The main highlight of Aix-en-Provence lies between the fountain at the Rotonde and the fountain of the Rose. This boulevard endures endless season changes every year and remains elegant.

This is the perfect place for you to sit and people-watch. Whether it’s from a restaurant while you’re having breakfast or lunch or from the bench scattered along the boulevard doesn’t matter.

Soak in the sun and the familiar livelihood of the town on your own or with a group of people for an aix-traordinary experience! 😉

While tourism in Aix en Provence has picked up over the past few years, I am amazed by how the Aixois have kept it as elegant as it was many years ago.

Pro Tip: The tourism office in Aix gives a map with a categorized type of walking experience you can do independently, suitable for one day in Aix en Provence. Head over and ask for a copy of the map!

Visit Cézanne’s Atelier (Reopening in Spring 2025)

Update: Atelier Cezanne is closed to visitors for renovation works. It will reopen in the spring of 2025 with a new facelift.

If you’re in Provence, Atelier de Cezanne is where you should take advantage of! Many people miss out on this when it is only a throw stone away from the city center.

Known as the father of modern art, Paul Cézanne left a big impression in the present time. Here, you will have a walkthrough of his still-life when he was a painter, imagining his life.

From there, you could head over to Terrain des Peintres (a public park known as Land of Painters), where he used to paint. This place has a fantastic view of Sainte Victoire, also known as Montagne Saint Victoire.

This mountain has a special place in my heart. It used to be a view that would release the stress and burden on my shoulders whenever I looked at it.

Standing beautifully across all four seasons, I understand why it became Cezanne’s obsession. In this Land of Painters, you will feel like you’re walking in his painting.

You can actually visit Musee Granet in Aix-en-Provence to see Cézanne’s paintings! The museum is closed on Monday, so come over another day between noon and noon.

Pro tip: Visit the Land of Painters first thing in the morning, then return to the city to visit the Musée Granet.

Local Delicacies of Southern Provence

You can only say you’ve visited the south if you have tried the unique local region’s delicacies.

Aix en Provence is known for a few things, but the one that it is known for is les caissons.

A sweet treat that looks like a navette (small boat) or an eye-shaped candy made out of crushed almonds and candied melon, topped with a nice layer of white royal glaze!

Another thing that is very Aixois is the local Crepe A GoGo. This gem is hidden right in the middle of the city, but finding it requires a little effort. It’s in a small underground tunnel right next to the Rotonde.

This place serves the best crepes, making your taste buds dance. I’m a big fan of crepes, but I’m not a big fan of the queue here…

Always a long queue! But this shows how good the crepe is!!! You won’t regret including this in your one day in Aix en Provence itinerary.

If you want to try something light to eat, you can look for Madeleines or something you’d like to bring back as a souvenir; you could drop by Puyricard for their amazing chocolates and chocolate noisette confitures!

Weekend Markets

You will not want to miss out on Aix en Provence market.

The best time to come to Aix en Provence is over the weekend because you will experience a few lovely flea markets scattered around the city.

The one I love the most is the Saturday Market on Cours Mirabeau. You can find good bargains on shoes, tops, souvenirs, and more. Plus, you’ll observe a lovely crowd with a mixture of Aixois, locals from nearby neighborhoods, and tourists worldwide.

Walking along, you’ll find people in the cafe and people-watching. Dogs wiggle their tails as their owner brings them out for a walk. Kids are running around happily, and the whole ambiance will be lit up with live busking scenes along the Cours Mirabeau to sprinkle some magical Saturday dust while you stroll, taking in the fresh air of South Provence.

If you go towards Hotel de Ville, you’ll find yourself surrounded by a pleasant smell of fresh flowers in the morning. From lilies, roses, orchids, you can walk past through and feast your eyes with colorful petals. Grab one for your mom, girlfriend, wife, or anyone who deserves it. It’ll make their day!

Not a fan of flowers? It’s okay. You can also head to Palais de Justice and dive into the local market, where you can find various foods, from small bites and snacks to fromages and poulet roti. Your tummy will be gargling for you to feed it!

This is how you can taste everything in the Aix en Provence market in under 2 hours!

On the first Sunday of every month, the scene will change. You’ll see a setting where antique book owners come and set their booth and stall with the most random items you can ever find, from books to bronze plates and utensils.

It’s interesting to see what sort of items they have in store. Some may not be useful to us, but it may be a treasure for another person. Everyone has their likings.

If you’re in the city during the Christmas season, you’ll enjoy the warmth of the whole stretch of Christmas markets with a glass of hot mulled wine!

Day Trips from Aix En Provence

If you have already been to Aix en Provence, you may want to explore the surrounding areas like Luberon, Valensole, or the everlasting beauty of Gorges du Verdon.

You can also spend one day in Marseille, which is totally feasible. Take the bus number 50 from Aix en Provence bus station.

Here are the top day trips that will make your stay memorable in France:

Have Extra Time in Aix en Provence?

Here are some of the other activities you can do in Aix en Provence:

Shopping in Aix en Provence
Go for free things to do in Aix en Provence
Jump on board on Aix en Provence day trips

Accrobranche Aix en Provence (suitable for families with kids)
Experience Aix en Provence Hammam

FAQ on One Day in Aix en Provence

1. What day is market day in Aix en Provence?

Market day in Aix en Provence is Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays for Cours Mirabeau, Thiers Street, and Verdun Square.

Flower markets are there daily at the Place de l’Hôtel de Ville, except for the first Sunday of every month.

Brocantes and antique book market will occur on the first Sunday of every month.

2. When can you see the lavender field in Aix-en-Provence?

The best time to see the lavender field in Aix-en-Provece is between mid June to mid July. It will bloom in early June, so go for it if you are in town.

The crowd can be high in mid-June as tourists flock in for the summer season. But, you’ll be surrounded by Provence’s aromatic fields of lavender fragrance!

3. Is one day in aix-en-provence enough?

Yes, one day in Aix-en-Provence is enough time to see most of the main sights and explore the city on foot. It’s not plenty of time but sufficient to cover the city’s highlights.

If you plan to do day trips, you’ll need more than a day, and making Aix en Provence your home base is a good idea.

4. Is Aix-en-Provence a walkable city?

Yes, Aix en Provence is a walkable city. All the major sights and attractions are within walking distance and easily explored on foot.

You can also take a little electric tourist train if you’re not too keen on walking. It is worth considering since this train tour will take you around the city for around 45 minutes for just 10€ (11USD) !

Ready to Spend One Day in Aix en Provence like an Aixois?

Whether you have a few hours or days, Aix en Provence will make you fall in love when you set foot in the city. It’s small, yet so rich with culture and history.

A day is sufficient to cover the main highlights of the city. Still, I’d recommend staying over for at least two nights (or over the weekend) to cover the whole area, especially if you’re planning to visit museums and the famous mountain of Sainte Victoire.

I hope you’ll find the beauty of Aix en Provence like how I did, and happy travels!

How To Spend One Day in Aix en Provence (Like an Aixois!)