Just 25km from Marseille, a village-like town emerges: Aix-en-Provence. If you’re wondering where to stay in Aix-en-Provence to make the most of its cultural sights and sunny daily life, you’ve come to the right place.
Founded in 122 B.C., the city known as Aquae Sextiae is brimming with historic monuments dating from Antiquity to the present day. In addition to the cultural heritage left by the Romans, you’re sure to enjoy discovering Provençal specialties along the markets, where the scent of olives mingles with that of Provençal herbs and the sweet smell of calissons.
In this practical guide, discover the best places to stay to make the most of your stay in the Bouche-du-Rhône sub-prefecture, as well as our favorite accommodations
Main information
Before going into the description of the places to target when selecting your accommodation in Aix-en-Provence, here are the essentials to know from a tourist point of view. This should give you a better idea of the city and its constraints.
Our favorite places to stay
For those in a hurry, here are our favorite places to stay in Aix-en-Provence:
- $ this establishment, on the outskirts.
- $$ this boutique hotel in a former convent.
- $$$ this luxury establishment, a stone’s throw from the Cours Mirabeau.
Map of Aix-en-Provence districts to stay in
To give you a quick overview of the different places we recommend to stay in Aix-en-Provence, you’ll find on the map below all the Aix-en-Provence accommodation recommendations we’re going to share in this guide. You can also use it to locate the various neighborhoods we’ll be detailing.
The essentials for choosing where to stay in Aix-en-Provence
Places to stay in Aix-en-Provence
Let’s get to the heart of the matter with a review of the main areas where we recommend staying in Aix-en-Provence.
Lodging in the historic center
When you think of Aix-en-Provence, you think of the splendid Cours Mirabeau and its Fontaine du Roi René. This emblematic square is at the heart of Aix's most famous district: the historic center.
Far from the hustle and bustle of the big cities, the historic center has the feel of a small Provencal village, with its colorful facades, narrow cobbled streets and smells of local cuisine... Don't be surprised to come face to face with a historic monument as you wind your way through two of the 156 streets in this area!
Here you'll find such landmarks as the Fontaine de la Rotonde, the Place d'Albertas, the Cathédrale Saint-Sauveur and the Eglise de la Madeleine. Museum-goers will be delighted to visit the Musée Granet, the Espace d'Art Contemporain and the Musée des Tapisseries.
Between two cultural activities, you can relax on the terrace of one of the many cafés that populate the area, or sample local specialties in the small restaurants that line the streets.
In the evening, we invite you to Cours Sextius and rue de la Verrerie to enjoy the lively nightlife.
If this is the best area to enjoy the vibrant Cité aux Mille Fontaines, it's not always the best place to stay. The area is particularly noisy both day and night, and prices rise quickly due to its popularity. On the other hand, there's plenty of accommodation and transport links to the main roads.
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This charming Provencal hotel is 800m from the Cours Mirabeau and the Cathédrale Saint-Sauveur. So you can stay right in the heart of the old town and walk to all the sites of interest from your accommodation!
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This former 12th-century convent has been converted into a 3-star hotel. Come and stay within its stone walls, which blend history and modernity, just off the Cours Mirabeau. It's a prime location for discovering the City of a Thousand Fountains.
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L'Aquabella showcases theMediterranean ambience of Aix-en-Provence, with its magnificent garden, outdoor pool and Provencal-style rooms. Here, you can stay in the heart of the city while enjoying the luxury of a 4-star hotel.
Les Allées Provençales: a peaceful place to stay
A few steps from the old town emerge the Allées Provençales, a modern district developed around the shopping center of the same name. To the south-west of La Rotonde, you'll find the Place François Villon, occasionally decked out with dozens of colorful umbrellas, as well as theEsplanade de l'Arche and the Centre d'Affaire Sextius.
If there's not a lot to see in this area, that's not a problem, since the main activities and historic monuments are less than 10 minutes away on foot. The ideal place to stay is here, where prices are generally more affordable.
At Les Allées Provençales, you can stay in a quiet area, far from the hustle and bustle of bars and nightlife. Be careful, though, as accommodation is in short supply in this residential area, and rather sought-after. So book well in advance.
The area is extremely well served by several regular bus routes, with the bus and SNCF train stations just a few minutes' walk away. There are also numerous shops, bars and restaurants.
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Conveniently located just a stone's throw from the Cours Mirabeau and the bus station, this establishment offers accommodation in one of its fully-equipped studios and apartments. Enjoy your own space during your stay.
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Just 800m from St. Saviour's Cathedral, Casa Hotel offers accommodation with terrace. Our guests particularly appreciate our proximity to the old town, making it possible to visit as many places as possible on foot.
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The Renaissance Hotel offers 5-star accommodation less than a 10-minute walk from the main sites of interest. You'll be able to stay in the calm of the Allées Provençales, yet within easy reach of tourist attractions.
Staying in the South of France
The southern districts of Aix-en-Provence have few tourist attractions. It's more of a residential and university area.
Apart from the campuses and student residences, there's the Parc de la Colline de Cuques, an ideal place to go green and cool off on hot summer days. North of the Cour Gambetta, the Saint-Pierre cemetery is home to numerous celebrities, including Aix's best-known resident, Paul Cézanne.
Due to the limited number of tourist attractions, there is little accommodation available in this area. On the other hand, the few hotels available are generally less expensive than in the rest of the city.
Away from the hustle and bustle of the city center, you'll enjoy the peace and quiet of a residential area, dotted with a few restaurants and bars where you can relax. It takes just 20 minutes to get to the Cours Mirabeau. This time can even be reduced if you choose to take one of the many buses that cross the south, or if you drive your own car.
Close to theA8 freeway, it's the ideal location for those wishing to stay in Aix-en-Provence and explore the surrounding area by car.
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Located on the outskirts of the South of France, the Adonis Hotel offers you the opportunity to stay in a hotel with a swimming pool at a very affordable price. You'll enjoy both the quiet of the area and its proximity to theA8 freeway, making it easy to get around the region.
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Stay close to the A8 freeway and a 20-minute walk from the city center at this 3-star hotel with pool and terrace. You'll enjoy the proximity of the city and the peace and quiet of the outskirts.
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Just a few minutes' walk from the Colline de Cuques park, the Novotel Pont de l'Arc welcomes you to a charming establishment. It's ideal if you want to stay close to the Cours Mirabeau and with easy access to the TGV train station.
Summary
You now know where to stay to make the most ofAix-en-Provence‘s pleasant climate, Mediterranean aura and many cultural outings. The center of town remains the best choice for making the most of your Aix-en-Provence experience, but you can also stay in the surrounding neighborhoods, which are often less expensive and less touristy