Aix-en-Provence, France: Self-Guided Walking Tour

Aix-en-Provence is a historic city in Provence known for its elegant mansions, museums, chapels, bastides and fountains. The best things to do in Aix-en-Provence include exploring the Mazarin quarter, discovering the old town’s heritage and following an itinerary through the city’s distinctive architectural landmarks. Neywo offers a free audio guide for Aix-en-Provence with 68 narrated places.

What to See in Aix-en-Provence

Aix-en-Provence brings together several kinds of heritage. In the centre, grand hôtels particuliers stand beside religious buildings and museums; beyond the historic streets, bastides and châteaux reveal another side of the city.

Hôtel de Caumont

The Hôtel de Caumont is an elegant 18th-century mansion in the Mazarin district, at 3, rue Joseph-Cabassol. Built between 1715 and 1742, it has been listed as a Monument historique since 1990 and now functions as an art centre.

Its imposing entrance is marked by an Atlas sculpture. Inside, aristocratic decoration includes curved details, ceiling angels and the frame of a harpsichord by Jean-Henri Naderman. The building also contains a courtyard and more than 1,000 square metres of sculpted gardens, as well as an indoor fountain.

Hôtel d’Estienne-de-Saint-Jean and the Musée du Vieil Aix

At 17 rue Gaston-de-Saporta, the Hôtel d’Estienne-de-Saint-Jean houses the Musée du Vieil Aix. This 17th-century townhouse has preserved features of a private residence, including a central staircase and painted ceilings.

The museum presents aspects of earlier everyday life in Aix-en-Provence, including traditional Provençal costumes worn for festivals. It is particularly known for its collection of santons and a rare 19th-century “talking nativity scene” with moving wooden puppets. Other works include a 17th-century model by G. B. Gaulli, known as Baciccio, and information about The Annunciation, a 15th-century triptych painted by Barthélémy d’Eyck around 1443 to 1445.

Logis du Bras d’Or

The Logis du Bras d’Or is a seigneurial residence that recalls Aix-en-Provence’s aristocratic past. Its character comes from its original role as a noble household residence, making it a useful stop for understanding the city’s historic social landscape.

Hôtel Paul Arbaud

The Hôtel Paul Arbaud is a historic townhouse in Aix-en-Provence. It is one of the landmarks included in Neywo’s walk through the Mazarin quarter, alongside mansions, churches and fountains.

Fondation Vasarely

The Fondation Vasarely is dedicated to the work of Victor Vasarely and was built between 1971 and 1976 as an architectural centre designed by the artist himself. Vasarely wanted art to be accessible to everyone rather than limited to private collections.

The building is made up of 16 interconnected hexagonal units, reflecting his interest in geometry and his idea of a “plastic alphabet”. Inside, large works use simple shapes and strong colour contrasts to produce optical effects that seem to change as you move. Many pieces are integrated into the building itself, combining art and architecture.

The foundation later underwent a major restoration costing about €12 million. Its collection includes around 42 to 44 large-scale works, and as of 2026 about half had been restored to their original colours.

Chapelle des pénitents blancs

The Chapelle des pénitents blancs is a 17th-century chapel in Aix-en-Provence’s medieval centre. Listed in France’s inventory of historic monuments since 1951, it is no longer used for worship and now forms an annex of the Musée Granet, the city’s municipal fine arts museum.

Couvent des Prêcheurs

The Couvent des Prêcheurs is a former Dominican convent at Place des Prêcheurs. The convent gave the square its name and remains one of the religious landmarks associated with Aix-en-Provence’s historic centre.

Chapelle Notre-Dame-de-Consolation

The Chapelle Notre-Dame-de-Consolation is also known as the chapelle Saint-Jacques or the chapelle de l’Hôpital. Its setting is particularly unusual: it is entirely enclosed within the buildings of the Hôpital Saint-Jacques along Avenue Philippe Solari.

The chapel has been protected as a historic monument since 3 November 1987. Its enclosed position makes it an easy landmark to overlook while exploring the city.

Hôtel d’Arlatan

At 24 Rue de l’Opéra, the Hôtel d’Arlatan is a private townhouse whose property extends between two streets and includes an inner garden. It forms part of a larger arrangement with the Hôtel de Dreux-Brézé.

The Hôtel d’Arlatan is the noble section, with salons facing Rue de l’Opéra. Its interiors include wood panelling, fireplaces and elaborate gypseries, making it one of the notable examples of 18th-century civil decoration in Provence.

Bastides and Châteaux Around Aix-en-Provence

Aix-en-Provence is also associated with large Provençal residences outside the central streets. These estates show how the city’s architectural history extends beyond its mansions and fountains.

Château de la Pioline

The Château de la Pioline began as a 14th-century Verdache mill before being transformed into a 16th-century residence. It has been classified as a Monument historique since 20 January 1976.

Bastide d’Orcel

The Bastide d’Orcel is a historic bastide completed in 1777, about a decade before the French Revolution. It has been listed as a historical monument by the French Ministry of Culture since 1984.

Bastide de Romégas

The Bastide de Romégas is located in Puyricard, outside Aix-en-Provence, in the Bouches-du-Rhône department of the Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur region.

Bastide de la Félicité

The Bastide de la Félicité is a historic house in Aix-en-Provence and part of the city’s collection of bastides.

Château de la Mignarde

The Château de la Mignarde is a large Provençal bastide on the route des Pinchinats. Its history reaches back to the 17th century, with alterations made in the 18th century. Its exceptional size has led to it being described as a true palace of Provence.

Bastide la Torse

Bastide la Torse, also known as the Château de la Torse, stands along the route du Tholonet. It has been listed as a historic monument since 1987.

Explore Aix-en-Provence with a Self-Guided Audio Tour

An Aix-en-Provence self-guided walking tour is a practical way to connect the city’s mansions, museums, churches and fountains. Neywo has five walking tours and one bus route in Aix-en-Provence, with narration available in 11 languages.

The walks include:

• Mazarin quarter: mansions and the Four Dolphins — 1.32 km, 112 minutes and 12 narrated stops.
• The cathedral, the town hall and the old town fountains — 1.11 km, 100 minutes and 12 narrated stops.
• Cezanne’s Aix and the Musee Granet — 1.25 km, 96 minutes and 12 narrated stops.
• Cours Sextius and the Pavillon Vendome — 0.65 km, 42 minutes and 4 narrated stops.
• A longer Mazarin quarter walk — 2.07 km, 166 minutes and 15 narrated stops.

There is also a bus route, Aix on the Diabline: a little electric bus through Mazarin, covering 2.8 km in 12 minutes with 9 narrated stops.

Download Neywo and explore Aix-en-Provence at your own pace. The app tells the story of each place as you reach it, with no group and no schedule. You can also continue exploring the region with Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur or discover other cities in France.