My sister is interested in visiting Aix-en-Provence on our upcoming trip. We are traveling mainly by train. It looks like Aix is a little hard to get to (coming from Lyon) ... train + transfer to a bus. And then we won't have a car for exploring. My RS guide is a few years old but it doesn't even have a chapter on Aix. Is Aix worth the inconvenience? Or is there another town in the area you would recommend instead?
Posted by
Paris
7541 posts
Aix-en-Provence is not hard to get to: the TGV stops at Aix-en-Provence TGV from where a cheap bus leaves every 15 min for the 20-30 minute ride to central Aix. Total travel time from Lyon is less than 2.5 hours, as little as 2 hours if you are lucky.
A car is not needed in Aix itself, and the town is very charming to explore for a day or 2. Marseille is a very worthwhile day trip by bus (departures every 5-15 minutes!) and you can also relatively easily visit places like Avignon, and smaller places like Lourmarin in the Luberon, by bus as well.
Posted by
81 posts
We loved Aix. The day after arrival, we took a food tour that included a walk around town, the market and historical information. The tour guide shared information about young chefs whose food was Michelin star worthy. We were able to make an early reservation at one of them and the food was memorable. The next day we took a tour of the Luberon area along with another random couple. We enjoyed seeing the beautiful small villages. We flew into Marseilles and it was an easy bus ride to Aix. We easily took the train to Avignon to meet our river cruise. Take a look at TripAdvisor to get an idea of all there is to see/do there.
Posted by
Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, USA
15724 posts
I’ll just add that you can also take a taxi from the TGV station into Aix to your hotel if the bus has you concerned.
I liked Aix a lot - found it very charming. I stayed there about a week, part of it on a Road Scholar tour so didn’t have to work out getting around but my SIL and her friends also enjoyed it without a car. The Tourist Information office had lots of day trips available.
Posted by
Darmouth, MA, USA
420 posts
We did this connection in 2023, We had a difficult time finding the bus once we arrived, mostly likely our own ignorance. I do understand much written French but could not find a directional sign. As we were standing in the station, facing out, there were stairs in the back to the left that took you down to the bus. I guess in hindsight very much like an airport, arrivals on top, departures on bottom.
We were only in Aix for 24 hours. It was charming, but VERY touristy without much to see. It truly depends on your interests. It might be fun to find all the fountains and there is a Paul Cezanne trail which one can follow. His workshop is not much and recreated but the gardens which are free, might be worth a visit.
Posted by
L'Occitanie, France
11169 posts
One of our offspring went to university in Aix, so we've spent some time there, and I still go there every few months for different art exhibit. There is a major Cezanne exhibit from June 28 to October 12 at the Granet Museum. Tickets should be bought in advance. His studio and residence are also open. Great markets. Very interesting cathedral, cloisters and baptismal bath. Lovely town.
Posted by
751 posts
Hi OP OB,
Below is a link to our related TR. Maybe some useful info there for you?
Over on Fodors, I go by 'zebec'.
Good Luck.
I am done. The end
https://www.fodors.com/community/europe/daix-a-photo-essay-of-aix-1707345/