Fun Facts About Aix

The city d' Aix-en-Provence was founded in 123 B.C. by Roman Proconsul Caius Sextius.  The Roman colony took advantage of the cold and hot water springs and the location, a the meeting point of routes leading to Spain and Italy.

The Romans called the city Aquae Sextiae, which means Sextius Waters.  The spring water, drained by the Canal de Provence is very pure.  Many fountains (Quatre Dauphins Hotel de Ville, Precheurs, Albertas, etc) add to the charm of the city's old streets.

The University was founded almost six centuries ago.  At the beginning they taught only literature and law.  Now, commerce and many different sciences are part of the courses.  There are aobut 40,000 students in higher education establishments in Aix.

Aix-en-Provence has the second most important Court of Appeal in France.

Many festivals take place throughout the year in Aix.  Amongst them are the International Lyric Arts Festival, Aix en Musique, Printemps Musical, Admuse, Danse a Aix.  Aix-en-Provence also has a music National Conservatory.

The former match facory hs become City of Books.  It host the city library.

Musems include the musee Granet (paintings), the Pavillon Vendome, the Musee des Tapisseries (tapestries), the Pavillion Cezanne and the Museum of Natural History.

The first ever Japanese No Theater in Europe is located in Aix as well as one of the oldest Cafe-Theater in France, The Fontaine d'Argent.

Famous people who were born or lived in Aix:
The painter Paul Cezanne
The writer Emile Zola
The composer Andre Campra
The sculpter and architect Jean-Francois Chastel
The composer Darius-Milhaud
The writer Amand Lunel