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Provence	Provence Bulletin Board	Marseille

Aix-en-Provence has always been a brilliant cultural centre. Its many museums include the Musée Granet and the Musée des tapisseries (tapestries), in the Palais de l'Archevêché, site of the famous Aix Festival.

Aix is called "the city of  a thousand fountains." The best are situated along Cours Mirabeau.

On one side of this elegant avenue are 17th- and 18th-century buildings with sculpted doorways and wrought-iron balconies. The other is filled with the cafés which are so much a part of the city's social life.

In Aix, a blindman could believe that it was raining, but if he could see without his stick, he would marvel at a hundred blue fountains singing a song of praise to Cézanne.
Jean Cocteau

Aix's most famous son, Paul Cézanne, was born here in 1839. His studio is preserved as it was when he died in 1906. Montagne Sainte Victoire, which inspired many of his paintings, lies 15km (9 miles) east of Aix.

The old town is centred on place l'Hôtel de Ville, with its colourful flower market.

Learn more about the history of Aix-en-Provence...