Cathedrale Saint-Sauveur d'Aix-en-Provence (Aix Cathedral), Aix-en-Provence (must see)
Seventeenth-century writer Jean Pitton claimed that Aix Cathedral rose where a Roman temple to Apollo once stood鈥攑roof that even the gods can鈥檛 hold onto prime real estate forever. The site鈥檚 first church was reportedly founded around 500 AD by Saint Maximinus, who, according to tradition, arrived from Jerusalem with Mary Magdalene in a boat generously lent by Saint Lazarus. Apparently divine Uber was a thing back then.
The cathedral we see today took root in the 12th century with a solid Romanesque nave. Then came a second one in 1171, dedicated to Saint Maximinus himself, squeezing in between the original nave and baptistry like a holy architectural remix. The 14th century brought more flair, with a Gothic-style transept added in 1318鈥攃learly, Aix was keeping up with cathedral trends.
Outside, the fa莽ade is a theatrical display of late Gothic drama: pointed arches, slim yellowish buttresses, and twelve Apostles playing hide-and-seek in the niches鈥攖hree upfront, the rest loitering in the wings. Above it all, Archangel Michael takes center stage, dramatically skewering a dragon atop the balustrade. The walnut portal doors, carved in 1505, add a final flourish of detail, leading into a space that juggles three styles鈥擱omanesque on one side, Gothic down the middle, and Baroque along the north.
Inside, it鈥檚 not just architecture on show. You鈥檒l find the 5th-century baptistry with Roman columns still holding their ground, plus a high altar supported by bronze figures of the Holy Trinity. The walls display works by Nicolas Froment, Jean Daret, and Louis Finson鈥攁 follower of Caravaggio known for his dramatic flair. One standout treasure is a set of 16th-century tapestries, originally woven for Canterbury Cathedral and brought to Aix long before international art loans became the norm.
And then there鈥檚 C茅zanne. The hometown icon, who once called Aix the best place to live, painted the cathedral repeatedly from a spot just a short walk from his studio.When he died in 1906, it was here鈥攗nder the watch of archangels, apostles, and centuries of layered stone鈥攖hat he took his final bow.
The cathedral we see today took root in the 12th century with a solid Romanesque nave. Then came a second one in 1171, dedicated to Saint Maximinus himself, squeezing in between the original nave and baptistry like a holy architectural remix. The 14th century brought more flair, with a Gothic-style transept added in 1318鈥攃learly, Aix was keeping up with cathedral trends.
Outside, the fa莽ade is a theatrical display of late Gothic drama: pointed arches, slim yellowish buttresses, and twelve Apostles playing hide-and-seek in the niches鈥攖hree upfront, the rest loitering in the wings. Above it all, Archangel Michael takes center stage, dramatically skewering a dragon atop the balustrade. The walnut portal doors, carved in 1505, add a final flourish of detail, leading into a space that juggles three styles鈥擱omanesque on one side, Gothic down the middle, and Baroque along the north.
Inside, it鈥檚 not just architecture on show. You鈥檒l find the 5th-century baptistry with Roman columns still holding their ground, plus a high altar supported by bronze figures of the Holy Trinity. The walls display works by Nicolas Froment, Jean Daret, and Louis Finson鈥攁 follower of Caravaggio known for his dramatic flair. One standout treasure is a set of 16th-century tapestries, originally woven for Canterbury Cathedral and brought to Aix long before international art loans became the norm.
And then there鈥檚 C茅zanne. The hometown icon, who once called Aix the best place to live, painted the cathedral repeatedly from a spot just a short walk from his studio.When he died in 1906, it was here鈥攗nder the watch of archangels, apostles, and centuries of layered stone鈥攖hat he took his final bow.
Want to visit this sight? Check out these Self-Guided Walking Tours in Aix-en-Provence. Alternatively, you can download the mobile app "黑料吃瓜网: Walks in 1K+ Cities" from Apple App Store or Google Play Store. The app turns your mobile device to a personal tour guide and it works offline, so no data plan is needed when traveling abroad.
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Cathedrale Saint-Sauveur d'Aix-en-Provence (Aix Cathedral) on Map
Sight Name: Cathedrale Saint-Sauveur d'Aix-en-Provence (Aix Cathedral)
Sight Location: Aix-en-Provence, France (See walking tours in Aix-en-Provence)
Sight Type: Religious
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Sight Location: Aix-en-Provence, France (See walking tours in Aix-en-Provence)
Sight Type: Religious
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Walking Tours in Aix-en-Provence, France
Create Your Own Walk in Aix-en-Provence
Creating your own self-guided walk in Aix-en-Provence is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.
In the Footsteps of Paul C茅zanne
Paul C茅zanne, often called the 鈥渇ather of modern art鈥� for bridging 19th-century post-impressionism and the birth of early modernism, caused a bit of a stir early in his career. While staying with Doctor Gachet in Auvers-sur-Oise, he painted his take on Manet鈥檚 Olympia鈥攂ut with a twist. Instead of just a reclining nude, C茅zanne inserted himself into the scene, back turned, like a shy... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.0 Km or 1.9 Miles
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.0 Km or 1.9 Miles
Aix-en-Provence Fountains and Squares Tour
Aix-end-Provence is known for its fountains. With more than 1,000 fountains, a tourist could spend weeks walking around the city without glimpsing them all. The fountains began appearing under the Roman empire when the Romans discovered Aix's natural thermal water source. They referred to the area as Aquae Sextiae or the Waters of Sextius.
The fountains appear throughout the city and are... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.6 Km or 1 Miles
The fountains appear throughout the city and are... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.6 Km or 1 Miles
Aix-en-Provence Introduction Walking Tour
Aix-en-Provence may not have coastal views, but it compensates in style with its Roman bathwater and city logistics. Founded in 123 BC by Roman consul Gaius Sextius Calvinus, this southern French settlement鈥攐riginally named Aquae Sextiae, which means 鈥淲aters of Sextius鈥濃�攚as built around its thermal springs and the promise of a good soak. Centuries later, the name was streamlined to... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.7 Km or 1.1 Miles
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.7 Km or 1.1 Miles