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Composed of the Saint-Sauveur market town and the City of the Counts, it is the oldest part of the centre of Aix.
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| The old town |
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 The Bourg Saint Sauveur
On the site of the former Roman town, stretching from the Cathedral to the Church Tower
(Town Hall). Some of the small streets have kept their evocative names, such as the rue Esquicho-coudo, a narrow passage dating from the middle ages. Ruins of the old medieval ramparts
may also be seen right at the top of the rue Gaston de Saporta (rue J. de la Roque to the left.)
Opposite the cathedral, in the Place de l'Université, the former law
faculty (1409) was replaced by the
Institute of Political Studies. The Palais
de l’Université, reconstructed by
Georges Vallon in 1734, proudly carries
out its official functions.
The Saint Sauveur Cathedrale
Built on a temple of Apollo, according to the legend, the Cathedral developed between the 5th and 18th centuries. This architectural melting pot is
distinguished with a mere glance at its
facade. On the right, to the south, the
Romanesque gate from the 12th
century adjoins a Roman wall, whilst on
the left, to the north, the vast, richly
carved Gothic gate from the 15th and
the 16th centuries is surmounted to
the north by a church tower erected
between 1323 and 1425.
Inside are three naves of different
styles (Romanesque,Gothic and
Baroque), which flank the
Baptistère which rests on an
octagonal stand dating back to the
5th century.
Its central font recalls the ancient rite
of baptism by immersion.
Crossing the chancel, we reach the Cloister. Built at the close of the 12th century, it breathes serenity and
elegance.Of small dimension, covered
with solidly built galleries, the
abundant and varied decor of the
pillars draws its inspiration from the
animal, plant, and fantasy worlds as
well as Gospel symbols.
The hidden Treasures of the Cathedral
A masterpiece of French painting, the
triptych of the “ Buisson Ardent “
(burning bush) was painted around
1476 for King René by Nicolas Froment.
On the lateral panels are praying
donors. Jeanne de Laval to the right,
King René to the left in Canon's robes
is surrounded by Saints, one of which is
Mary Magdalen, the patron saint of
Provence.
The leaves of the gate were carved in
walnut tree heartwood by Jean
Guiramand at the beginning of the
16th century. This delicate piece of
work has been meticulously preserved
and is a pleasure to the eye.
The Archbishop's Palace
Adjoining the cathedral,the former palace
of the archbishops of Aix-en-Provence,
closed off the square which was cleared in
the 18th century (it is at present the
square of the martyrs of the Resistance).
Due to their ecclesiastical and political
power,these princes of the Church owed
themselves worthy of their rank. The
buildings seen today were built between
1650 and 1730,and the gate is attributed
to the sculptor Toro.
On the first floor,Tapestry Museum
may be admired (see page XX). Since
1948,the heart of the Archbishop’s Palace
serves as a setting for the main events of
the Festival of Lyric Art during the month
of July.
The Cité Comtale. Past the belfry, you find yourselves
in the former city of the counts. The episcopal
city and the city of the counts were actually
separated by medieval ramparts. Today a busy
pedestrian shopping area, perfect for a quiet
stroll.
The Clock Tower. Former belfry of the town and symbol of local
government power, the tower spans the street
on Roman foundations. Erected in 1510, it
houses an astronomic clock built in 1661,
containing four wooden statues.
The Four Seasons fountain by the sculptor
Chastel in the 17th century is surmounted by a
Roman column in its core.
Down the Rue Gaston de Saporta. An ancient street, today a
lively semi-pedestrian street,
and containing four superb mansions from the 17th and
18th centuries.
- At No.23, the Hotel
MAYNIER-D’OPPEDE
belonged to a famous
Parliamentary family. Rebuilt
in 1730 by the architect
Georges Vallon and the
sculptor Chastel, it is today
the Institute of French
Studies for foreign students.
It is also the setting for
concerts held in June and
July.
- The Hotel BOYER DE
FONSCOLOMBE (at No.21)
displays an elegant facade
dating back to 1757. Inside, it
has a beautiful decor of
painted ceilings and
gypseries.
- The Hotel de
CHATEAURENARD at No.19
was built in 1650. It is famous
as the place where Louis XVI
stayed during his visit to
Provence in 1660. Its
magnificent staircase in
trompe l’oeil was painted by
Jean Daret.
- The Hotel d'ESTIENNE DE
SAINT JEAN, at No.17, is one
of the finest from the end of
the 17th century. Its facade
adorned with high pilasters is
the work of the Aixois
architect Laurent Vallon. The
finely carved door opens into
a hall with a magnificent
balustrate in wrought iron.
The main living areas, which
have preserved part of the
17th century decor, have
housed the Musée du Viel Aix
(Museum of Old Aix) since the
17th century, which contains
memorials to Aix’s past.
The Town hall
At the foot of the tower since the 14th century, the
Town Hall with its Italian style facade was built
between 1655 and 1678 by Pierre Pavillon.
Between the railings and the double turned
stairwells, the inner court embraces the building’s
perfect harmony.
The Corn exchange
Designed by the Vallon architects, this 18th century
building recalls the importance of the wheat trade
at the time. The north facade is crowned by an
allegoric pediment attributed to Chastel,
representing the two essential elements of farming
prosperity in Provence: the Rhone and the Durance
rivers. The southern part overlooking the Place
Richelme is rich in decorative motifs associated with
the purpose of the building, fruits, cereals and olives.
Down toward the Place d'Albertas: The Hotel d’Arbaud (1670) on the rue Maréchal
Foch offers visitors a view of its door supported by
two telamons, a theme often repeated in Aixois
decor of the 17th and 18th centuries. Further
down, at No.13 Rue Aude, the embossed decor of
the Hotel de Peyronetti (dating from 1625) seems
to have come straight out of a Palace from the
Italian Renaissance.
The Square et the Hotel d'Albertas.
A magical place, where everything competes to
suggest a theatrical scene, the square was created
in 1745, when the Marquis Jean Baptiste d’Albertas
had the houses opposite his mansion demolished.
This leading Aix family lived a very luxurious life at
the time.The vast mansion, altered in 1724, and the
rococo style square are the work of the Vallons
(father and son) who found inspiration in the
fashionable royal squares of Paris.At the centre, the
fountain with its basin dates back to 1912.
A few steps away stands the Hotel Boyer d'Eguilles (1672) with its imposing baroque
style facade. Built in stone from the Bibémus
quarry near the Sainte-Victoire mountain, it houses
the Natural History Museum on its ground floor.
Catching the eye in the view of the rue Espariat is
one of the most graceful wrought iron bell towers
of the 17th century, that of the Augustins steeple.
Just opposite is the Saint Esprit church,where
Mirabeau and Mademoiselle de Marignane’s
wedding was celebrated. It was reconstructed by
the Vallons between 1706 and 1728.
The Law courts. Formerly the home of the sovereigns of Provence,
the Parliament and the Counts’ court, the former
palace was demolished toward the close of the
18th century, at the same time as its surroundings.
In is place, the architect Ledoux designed a new
palace, but the revolution unfortunately prevented
its construction. Between 1825 and 1832,
Penchaud built the Law courts and the prison on
Ledoux' foundations. Inside, the "waiting room"
with its elegant colonnades bathes in the filtered
light of its great glass roof.Converted in 1998, the
former prison is now an integral part of the new
judiciary centre, and now houses the Court of
Appeal, the current Palais Monclar.
Before the courts stretches the Place des
Prêcheurs, opened in the 15th century by King
René.The centre of public and social life until the
creation of the Cours Mirabeau, it now hosts the
vast market and antiques fair.
The Madeleine church. The former Dominican Couvent des
Prêcheurs (Preachers' convent)
standing since 1274, was rebuilt in its
entirety between 1691 and 1703.
Behind its 11th century facade, this
church-cum-museum contains works
by several artists who lived in Aix,
including the outstanding Altarpiece
of the Annunciation dating from
1444.
From the place des Prêcheurs, return
to the Cours Mirabeau either via
Passage Agard or Rue Thiers.
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