Hotels in Aix-en-Provence

Aix-en-Provence made its name as the elegant Provençal counterpart to Marseille, built on the fortune of a Baroque-era aristocracy and later on Cézanne, who was born and painted here. The Cours Mirabeau, lined with plane trees and fountains, is the obvious spine of the city, flanked by grand hôtels particuliers and pavement cafés that trade heavily on their own good looks.

The Saturday market and the old town's tangle of ochre-walled streets are genuinely worth the wander, and the light and landscape that drew Cézanne still hold up. Be honest: it's a wealthy, tourist-friendly city with prices to match, and in high summer the centre gets clogged with visitors chasing the same postcard views. It's also compact, so you won't need to think hard about location once you're near the centre.