AIX-EN-PROVENCE - FAQ`S

How do I get from the airport to my hotel?

Aix-en-Provence is serviced by Marseille-Provence International Airport, situated 25 minutes from Aix-en-Provence.

If you have not booked a private transfer with us then you have a few options. Buses, taxis and rental car will connect you to the city center.The quickest, cheapest, and easiest way to get from Marseille Provence Airport to Aix-en-Provence city center is by bus, about a 30 minute ride. Tickets to Aix-en-Provence city center cost about €8.20 per person. Busses depart at :05 past and :35 past the hour from 5:35 am to11:05 pm. The Aix-en-Provence Bus Station is about a 10 minute walk to the city center and most hotels.

A taxi ride from Marseille Airport will cost around €50 (or €60 at night). This is a good option if you have booked on an early flight from Marseille Airport or just prefer to take a taxi to get to/from the airport.

Car Rentals are also available at Marseille Airport: Hertz, Avis, Budget, Enterprise, Europcare and Sixt are all available and open until 11:30 pm every night.

How do I get from the train station to my hotel?

Aix has both a TGV and regular station and is well connected both to Paris - Marseille line and (via Marseille) to the Genoa - Nice - Barcelona line. The same shuttle that runs from the airport to Aix also services the Aix TGV station. The regular train station is at Place Victor Hugo, a 5 minute walk from the center of town.

How do I get around Aix using Public Transportation?

Aix is a fairly small city and easy to navigate. The bus system (www.aixenbus.com) is very efficient and has numerous stops within the city as well as connecting Aix with nearby villages, towns, and Marseille. The city bus also runs to Carrefour Les Milles, a large shopping center. You can buy single or two-journey tickets on board the bus. Alternatively, you can buy a 10-journey pass or load a pass with anything from five to 99 journeys; these are available from the tourist office or authorized sellers throughout the city.

For buses, you can take as many trips as you like for no extra cost for one hour after validating the ticket, which you do by putting it into the slot at the top of the reader at the entrance to the bus.

The Diablines (www.la-diabline.com) are little electric-powered vehicles, a cross between buses and taxis that drive the streets of Aix. These vehicles follow three fixed circuits in the city center. Instead of picking up and dropping passengers only at bus stops, they can be hailed down like a taxi. They are, however, a good deal cheaper, about half as much as the `normal` bus ticket. Tickets for the Diabline can only be bought on board by the `pilot` (driver). You can change from the bus network without paying again under the one hour rule. The Diablines circulate about every ten minutes, though the hours of service are somewhat restricted: 8:30 am - 7:30pm. The Diablines do not run on Sundays or public holidays.

Aix also has the Petit Train (www.cpts.fr), or little trains, that offer tours of the city with ear phone commentary in English, as well as 7 other languages. The train departs in front of the statue of Paul Cézanne on La Rotonde at the bottom of the Cours Mirabeau. It offers two tours, one lasting 40 minutes of the city center and one lasting 50 minutes of the center plus some of the Cézanne sights. You can buy tickets on board.

The timetable varies depending on the time of year, and the train does not run between mid-November and mid-March.

How do I call/hail a taxi?

There are several taxi stands located in the city. Otherwise, Taxi Radio Aixois and Taxi Mirabeau are both reputable companies.

Is Aix a walking city?

Aix is a fairly small city and can be easily navigated by foot. The city center is mostly pedestrian and, though it is quite small (you can cross the center in 15 minutes by foot), offers long hours of nice walks. As in all Provencal towns, the city center consists of narrow streets, lined with interesting buildings from the 17th-century hotels to paved plazas.

I will have a car in Aix, where can I park?

Parking in Aix can be quite difficult. There is at least one free car park but allow plenty of time to find a space (and the spaces can be quite tight to get into!). Many of the streets are narrow and the traffic can be congested at times. Curbside parking in and around the city is regulated by meters. Parking garages (signaled by a large P sign) are usually the best bet, but they can be expensive. An alternative is to leave your car at one of the two `Parcs relais` outside the city center and hop on a bus to Aix from there (about 10 minutes). For available parking in and around the city visit www.aixenprovencetourism.com/se-deplacer/sur-place/parkings/#!

How do I get around by bike?

Bicycles can be rented around the city center. Bicycle rentals cost about €10 for five hours. This is a great way to see the town that is outside the center. You can find many interesting places and buildings that you wouldn`t have seen otherwise. Be careful riding in the center ville, since it is very crowded most of the time.

Is Aix-en-Provence a dangerous city? Are there certain areas I should avoid?

Aix is a safe city to visit, but as with all French cities, tourists in Aix should be conscious of the risk of pickpockets and theft. Be aware of your surroundings. Do not leave valuables within view in parked cars. Exercise increased caution at night, and use the taxis that leave from the Rotonde fountain if you are going to the outlying neighborhoods late in the evening. Avoid public parks after dark.

Can I pay/tip in US dollars?

The currency of Aix-en-Provence is the Euro, US dollars are not accepted. The city has scores of banks and ATMs in downtown Aix, including three along cours Miraeau. Most of the top restaurants, shopping centers, boutiques, hotels, etc. accept credit cards.

What is the weather like?

From May - September the weather is nice with good average temperatures. On average, the warmest month is July, about 80°F. The coldest months are December and January at about 45°F. The wettest month is October with July being the driest month.

I don`t speak French, will many people speak English?

French is the official language spoken in Aix. However, the staff of most tourism-relate venues (hotels, restaurants) speaks English, and plenty of attractions (museums, guided tours) feature a wide openness to the English speaking public. We suggest you get a good English-French guidebook and familiarize yourself with common phrases such as hello, goodbye, excuse me and numbers 1-10.

What is the food like?

The food in Aix is Provencal relying heavily on the use of olive oil, herbs, and the Mediterranean Sea. The specialties here are the famous fish broth `bouillabaisse`, a fish-based soup served with la rouille (a garlic-saffron sauce) and bread similar to crostini. Some other favorites of the area: L`angneau de Provence (lamb), which is regarded as having a particular taste and quality. L`anchoiade, Puree of anchovies, mixed with olive oil and capers. Le boeuf en daube, chunks of beef cooked with olive oil, lard, onions, oil and herbs; served with sauce or red wine. Olives covered in parsley, layered with garlic, or simply left on their own, no trip to the area is complete without sampling the many varities offered. Pastis, is an anise flavored liqueur and the drink of the South of France. Pastis is filled about a quarter full in a tall glass to which the drinker adds desired amount of water to taste.

Make sure to try Calissons, a specialty of the region consisting of a smooth, pale yellow, homogeneous paste of candied fruit (especially melons and oranges) and ground almonds topped with a thin layer of royal icing. Calissons have a texture, not unlike that of marzipan, but with a fruitier, distinctly melon-like flavor. Calissons are often almond-shaped and are typically about two inches in length.

Aix has an incredible number of restaurants compared to its small size. Most of them are gathered in a small area in the old city, between Place des Cardeurs and the Rotonde (Cours Mirabeau). Restaurants and bars on the Cours Mirabeau tend to be more expensive though, while some might be considered tourist traps, others are amongst the best places to eat in the city.

What are the best areas for shopping?

Aix offers many major fashion boutiques, as well as a plethora of small clothing stores, perfumeries, and touristy souvenir shops. The Old Town is where you`ll find winding streets with so many options when it comes to shopping for clothes, shoes and accessories to crafts, furnishings, food and tourist souvenirs. On most days of the week, this area is a giant extended market where you can browse delicious regional produce in an exquisite historical setting. Another area for great shopping is Les Allées provençales, a pedestrian street near the Tourist Office, offering a good choice of more conventional stores.

Make sure to experience the markets while in Aix.There are markets that take place every day of the week. From fruit and vegetables to antiquarian books to the flower markets, they fill the city with sound and color. Held in the city`s main squares and in other districts, they are places to discover local treasures, especially the region`s traditional cuisine.

Opening Hours: Shops in Aix are typically open Monday to Saturday 10am - 7pm, although some smaller boutiques may close for lunch and/or on Mondays. A few stores in the Old Town and Les Allees Provencales open on Sunday but as for Aix has not embraced Sunday shopping.

Note: Value-added tax (VAT) rate is currently 20% in France for standard goods. A reduced rate of 10% applies to restaurants, transport, and certain medical drugs. And a 5.5% tax applies to food, water and non alcoholic beverages, books, some entertainment events and some domestic personal services.

What are the best areas for nightlife?

Given the relatively small nature of Aix, you`ll be impressed with the number of bars and clubs that the city has managed to fit into the vicinity. Aix has a high student population, which means there are no shortages of nightlife. Meanwhile, there is a happening theater scene in Aix with lots of small theaters showcasing experimental productions and shows a lot less ordinary.

One spot to head to for bars is the place Richelme in the Old Town, which has a cluster of busy cafes, all with outdoor terraces. Another is the Forum des Cardeurs, a large open square lined with bars and restaurants. Like many other parts of the Old Town, it is a very lively area in the evenings, especially on the weekends. Also Caumont Centre d`Art has an elegant, 18th-century style saloon. By day it serves tea to museum visitors only, but once the gallery has closed, it turns into a cocktail lounge which is open to all.

What are the special events that take place throughout the year?

Festivald`Aix: Takes place mid-June through late July, this is the most popular of Aix`s annual events. It features music and opera from all over the world. The Festival Cote Cour runs over the same period, staging concerts from around the world, from jazz and Latin American beats to Provencal baroque and traditional gypsy folk music.

Festival de Paques: This annual festival celebrates classical music with concerts that are performed at Aix`s Grand Theatre de Provence and the Theatre du Jeu de Paume.

Les Instants d`Este: A series of free open-air movies screened around town in eight of Aix`s parks and gardens.

La Grande Fete du Calisson: This festival takes place on the first Sunday in September. The festival honors the callisson (traditional local sweet) and offers music, Provencal folk dancing, and plenty of calisson-tasting.

What should I do if I need medical assistance or need to go to the hospital?

Emergency dial 112 Aix en Provence Hospital, avenue des Tamaris, 13616 Aix en Provence. Tel: 04 42 33 50 00