If you are planning to visit France, you will not want to miss the lights and culture of Paris, the wine in Burgundy or the glorious Alps.  However, do not overlook some of the smaller and lesser-known destinations that France has to offer.  With a population of just over 100,000 people, the city of Aix-en-Provence, located just north of Marseilles, is just one example of the small wonders of France.

 

Aix-en-Provence is an ancient city.  It was founded by the Romans in 123 BC.  For the next few hundred years, the city was passed around between Germanic tribes, the Franks, the Visigoths and various others while being pillaged and plundered between hand-offs.  Aix began to develop some of the culture that it is known for today in the 12^th century when it stabilized a bit under the houses of Aragon and Anjou.  Finally, in the 15^h century, Aix was taken over by France and under Louis XIV it was made the seat of Parliament for the entire region of Provence.

 

No matter what time of year you visit Aix, you will find a mild climate.  It enjoys a Mediterranean influence as well as decent shelter from the brutal Mistral winds that blow through the south of France.  Temperatures range from 5 degrees Celsius in the wintertime to 22 in the summer.  Even though the weather in the winter is not too uncomfortable, it is advisable to plan your trip to Aix in the spring or summer.  The main street of Aix, the Cours Mirabeau is planted with a double row of trees interspersed with fine houses and fountains.  La Rotonde, one of the larger and more notable fountains is also surrounded with large trees.  While this is all beautiful in the wintertime, it is even more so in the spring and summer when the trees are leafy and full of life

 

For architecture aficionados, Aix has all kinds of sites to offer.  In the north part of the city you will find the Cathedral of Our Holy Savior.  This building will baffle those who are knowledgeable about architecture as it features influences from the 5^th to the 17^th centuries.  You also won't want to miss the place de l'Hôtel de Ville, which is a picturesque square, situated around the gorgeous Hôtel de Ville, which features a clock tower that was built in 1510.

 

Some call Aix the city of a thousand fountains; this is a slight stretch as there are actually about forty ornate fountains situated throughout the city.  Since it is located near many springs, water has always been in abundant supply, even when the rest of the area suffered from scarcity.  If you visit Aix, you won't want to miss the fountain of the four dolphins, the Town Hall fountain, or the Fountain of Hot Water that is covered in moss.  Of course we have already mentioned La Rotonde, which is the symbolic mark to the entry of the city.