Beautiful parks in Aix en Provence

PARC RAMBOT
Large sandy areas surrounding central lawns are ideal for walking or relaxing, and especially for children to play. This city park covers an area of 13,000 sq.m. The periphery is lined with shrubs and flowers. Children will love the play areas: sand pits, swings, slides, paddling pool. The bust of musician Félicien David (1810-1876) is also in this park.

PARC DE LA COLLINE DE CUCQUES
In the southern district of the city, reached from Avenue de la Cible or Chemin Gilles Borel. The park covers 24,850 sq.m and has been created on hillside areas with their natural vegetation of pine, viburnum tinus and rosemary, linked by paths winding through the undergrowth of the pine wood. Huge lawns, play areas and a paddling pool have been created.

PARC JOURDAN
This city park, covering 40,000 sq.m, is reached from Rue Anatole France or Avenue Jules Ferry. It is built on two levels: the lower part is in the style of a classical French garden, and a monumental double staircase leads to the upper part which is laid out as a romantic garden. In the upper part, a mansion houses "L'Oustaou de Provenco" in the Pavillon Boissy. There is open-air entertainment in the park throughout the summer. The park also contains a 17th century statue called "Winter", Bottinelly's bust of Frédéric Mistral, and Philippe Solari's bust of Emile Zola. Bowling area and children's play area. Open from 09:00 to 30 minutes before sunset.

PAVILLON VENDOME
In Pavillon de Vendôme, surrounded by gardens laid out in the French style, you can see the setting and interior decor of an 18th century Aix mansion. A small play area has been created for children.

PARC GEORGES VILERS
An unfenced park in the heart of Jas de Bouffan, adjoining Avenue Saint John Perse. The landscaping of this 12 acre park blends with the grounds of the buildings and the surrounding countryside. Footpaths connect various districts of Jas de Bouffan. Vantage point for viewing the Sainte Victoire Mountain to the east. The land is very undulated and the relief is an important feature of the landscaping. Various paths lead to the main attractions: a lake of some 2,000 sq.m, an open-air theater seating 800, in the style of an ancient Greek amphitheater. The plantations consist of groves and trees chosen from regional species and 10 acres of lawns accessible to the public.

PROMENADE DE LA TORSE
A path alongside the Torse stream, between the Cezanne Road and Route de Nice, in the eastern part of the city. The entrance is on the Cezanne Road (Route du Tholonet). The footpath and the fitness trail follow the stream, sometimes crossing it by wooden foot bridges, to Route de Nice. A huge lake of 2,500 sq.m has been created, edged with aquatic plants and populated with fish, ducks and swans. The existing vegetation has been supplemented by hardy trees and shrubs selected from the surrounding vegetation to preserve a natural appearance.

PARC SAINT MITRE
Access to the park is from Route de Berre. An imposing gate opens on to two avenues, lined with ancient chestnut trees and box, which circle a meadow and meet on the other side, enclosing a pond with a waterfall, on an esplanade planted with leafy trees. In the center of this esplanade is a mansion built in 1875. To the west of the park is a huge meadow with a stream running through it, surrounded by play and rest areas. The rest area overlooks the stream where it widens into a small lake. The main features of this part are an old covered wash-house, a large pond and the stream which contain aquatic plants, fish and frogs. To the east is an arboretum containing a fine collection of trees. Dutch greenhouse and rose-garden. The park is open from 09:00 to 30 minutes before sunset. It covers an area of 50,000 sq.m. The park also contains a tent with a permanent puppet theater.