Getting Your Bearings
Aix-en-Provence is a fairly small city, and the historic centre is compact enough that most visitors cover it on foot. The wide Cours Mirabeau divides the town in two: the old town, with its narrow, irregular streets and old mansions, lies to the north, while the newer town extends to the south and west. La Rotonde, at the bottom of the Cours Mirabeau, is described as the hub of modern Aix, and it is a useful landmark for orienting yourself when you arrive.
Walking
Walking is the simplest and most rewarding way to get around Aix. The city is easily navigated on foot, and much of what you will want to see sits within a walkable area. A walking trail links sites associated with Paul Cézanne, the city's most famous native son, including his childhood home, Jas de Bouffan, and his former studio, the Atelier Cézanne. The city is also known as the city of a thousand fountains, and many of the notable ones — the Fontaine des Quatre Dauphins in the Quartier Mazarin, and the fountains along the Cours Mirabeau — are best discovered on foot.
Be aware that the old town's streets are narrow and irregular, which is part of its charm but can make navigation a little confusing at first. Comfortable shoes are a good idea, and the city slopes gently from north to south.
Rail
Aix has two stations. The regular train station, Gare d'Aix-en-Provence, is on Place Gustave Desplaces, convenient to the city centre. The TGV station, Gare d'Aix-en-Provence TGV, sits some distance southwest of the city and north of Marseille, so it is not within walking distance of the centre.
The city is well connected by rail to the Paris–Marseille line and, via Marseille, to the Genoa–Nice–Barcelona line. If you arrive at the TGV station, you will need a shuttle rather than a local walk: the same shuttle line that runs from the airport to Aix also serves the Aix TGV station.
Buses and Public Transport
The city bus system is efficient and has numerous stops within Aix, and it also connects the city with nearby villages, towns, and Marseille. Buses run to Carrefour Les Milles, a large shopping centre, as well.
Within the city centre, small electric microbuses called La Diabline provide service on a few routes, running frequently — roughly every ten minutes — and charging a very low flat fare. They are a handy option for short hops in the centre.
For tickets and passes, the main bus station is the place to go: discounted tickets for frequent bus users are sold there, and the ticket office also sells discounted multi-pack tickets for the bus between Aix and Marseille and for the bus to the TGV station.
Arriving by Bus
The Gare Routière is Aix's bus station. There is an express coach from Marseille (from St Charles station) to Aix that takes roughly half an hour to forty minutes. Regular shuttles also run from the bus station to the TGV station and the airport. Longer-distance services exist too: buses from Nice's Gare Routière Vauban, via Nice airport, run daily at set departure times and take around three and a half hours.
Taxis and Ride-Hailing
The source material for this guide does not describe taxi ranks, ride-hailing apps, or their fares in Aix. If you need a taxi or a ride-hailing service, it is best to ask at your accommodation or at the bus or train station on arrival, where staff can point you to the current local options.
Getting from the Airport into the City
Most visitors fly into Marseille, which is the nearer airport, just to the south; budget airlines such as EasyJet often prefer Nice instead. From the airport there is a navette — a shuttle bus — that takes you to the bus station near the centre of Aix. The same shuttle line that connects the airport to Aix also serves the Aix TGV station, so it is useful both for reaching the city centre and for connecting to high-speed rail.
Arriving by Car
If you drive, the main approach from the north is the A7 motorway (the Route du Soleil) from Lyon to Marseille; at exit 27 you take the A8 (La Provencale) to Aix. From Spain, the route runs via the A9 (La Languedocienne), then the A54 through Arles, then onto the A7 and A8. From Italy, take the A8 past Nice and the Côte d'Azur resorts. Avoiding toll roads can be slow but scenic, with many routes nationales offering views the motorways cannot.
Be warned that 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 note that spaces can be tight to get into.
Practical Summary
- On foot: The best way to see the centre; the old town's narrow streets reward wandering.
- La Diabline: Small electric microbuses serving the city centre on a few routes, running frequently for a low flat fare.
- City buses: Efficient, with many stops in Aix and links to nearby villages, towns, Marseille, and Carrefour Les Milles.
- Tickets and passes: Buy discounted tickets and multi-pack tickets at the main bus station.
- Rail: A regular station at Place Gustave Desplaces and a separate TGV station outside the city, served by shuttle.
- From the airport: Take the navette shuttle to the bus station near the centre; the same line also serves the TGV station.
- By car: Easy motorway access, but parking in the city can be hard — build in extra time.