Aix (Aquae Sextiae) was founded in 123 BC by the Roman consul Sextius Calvinus
The center of Aix is the old town (vieille ville), ringed by a circle of boulevards and squares. It's a small-enough area to explore by foot, but there's way too much to see in one or two days.
The old town of Aix is packed with shops, markets, museums, religious and architectural sites and historical sites. The terrace cafés on the Place des Précheurs (by the flower market) attract many of the younger locals, with lower prices than those on the Cours Mirabeau.
Cours Mirabeau is the the heart of Aix, a beautiful tree-lined avenue, with one side lined with wonderful terrace cafés and bookshops.
Paul Cezanne was born in Aix on 19 January 1839.
He was raised here, studied here, lived here and eventually died here.
From 1902 onward, he worked in his studio in the Chemin des Lauves.
The studio is a place haunted by memory, where the spirit of the master lingers on.
