Aix en Provence, France — Activities
Aix en Provence Culture
Music: The Grand Théâtre de Provence, 380 avenue Max Juvénal (tel: (04) 4291 6969; www.grandtheater.fr), inaugurated in 2007, is located between the new and old town. The building, designed by Italian architect Vittorio Gregotti, seats 1,350 and offers concerts, operas, musicals and dance. The Festival d'Aix-en-Provence (www.festival-aix.com), featuring lavish opera productions with some of the best voices from around the world, is held here in July. Other productions can be seen all year round at the Théâtre du Jeu de Paume,17-21 rue de l' Opéra (tel: (04) 4299 1200; www.lestheaters.net), and for more unusual stuff, head to La Fonderie, 14 cours St Louis (tel: (04) 4263 1011; www.fonderie-aix.com).
Theater: The theater scene in Aix is an exciting one, with lots of small theaters showcasing experimental stuff and less ordinary productions. The pick of the best for new plays and creative exchanges includes the Théâtre Antoine Vitez, Université de Provence, 29 avenue Robert Schumann (tel: (04) 4259 9437; http://theater-vitez.com); the Théâtre des Ateliers, 29 place Miollis (tel: (04) 4238 1045; www.theater-des-ateliers-aix.com); and La Fonderie, 14 cours St Louis (tel: (04) 4263 1011; www.fonderie-aix.com).
Dance: The esteemed Ballet Prejlocaj (tel: (04) 4293 4800; www.preljocaj.org), which has turned Aix into a center for new talent in modern dance, now has, for the first time in its history, its own theater, the purpose-built Pavillon Noir, 530 avenue Mozart.
Films: The main cinemas are Le Cézanne, 1 rue Marcel Guillaume; Renoir, 24 cours Mirabeau; and Mazarin, 6 rue Laroque (tel: 0892 687 270 for all three; www.lescinemasaixois.com). For arthouse movies try the Salle Armand Lunel at the Institut de l'Image, Cité du Livre, 8/10 rue des allumettes (tel: (04) 4226 8182/73; www.institut-image.org).
Tickets for most shows can be purchased directly from the venues or from the FNAC ticket network at the tourist office (tel: (04) 4216 1170). Mois à Aix (www.leguidedessorties.fr) is a free monthly publication with listings for events in the city. Available from the tourist office and from some venues or online at www.aixenprovencetourism.com/aix-mois.htm.
Aix en Provence Tours
Guided walks led by professional local guides are available but should be booked in advance (tel: (04) 4216 1165). The tourist office (see Sightseeing for details) has information on its website for self-guided walks for those wishing to discover the city on their own. There is also a Cézanne self-guided walking tour: using the studs in the pavement as a guide, stroll through the streets and follow the main stages of the painter's life in Aix, the town where he was born, lived, pursued his research and died.
The Zevisit audio-guide (www.zevisit.com), which can be downloaded free of charge onto any MP3, will take you on a lively seven-stage tour of the city, complete with sound effects and local insight. The tour is available in French and English, and lasts for 38 minutes.
Or hop onto the Mini Tram, operated by La Compagnie des Petits Trains du Sud (tel: (04) 4201 0998; www.cpts.fr), a small sightseeing ‘train' with huge windows, to take in the city's sights. There are two routes to choose from, one lasting 45 minutes, the other one hour, with audio guide available in eight languages. Departures every hour between 1015 and 1815 in peak season from outside the Festival Cafe on the Rotonde.
