The French Riviera

Discovering the French Riviera by visiting Nice and St-Tropez. Nice is known for its splendour but the city offers a rich culture of gastronomy, nature and traditions like its carnival as well. Nice consists of an exceptional coastline from Cap d’ail to Cagnes-sur-Mer, a medium-country, between sea and mountain, but also of a mountain massif with a peak at 3143 meters altitude. Continue your journey by discovering the nightlife of Saint-Tropez. Still valued by artists, the city attracts for its beaches and nightlife. The cobblestone district of La Ponche testifies to its past as a fishing village, even though yachts are now more numerous than fishing boats in the Old Port.

Shopping on Gaston Street

If you like shopping, Aix-en-Provence is a great place to find books, art objects, jewels, clothings and other sundry items. From independant shops to luxury brands, the treasure hunters will find their future acquisition. Don’t hesitate to request advices to the hotel’s Conciergerie.

Santons

The Fouque family represents four generations of Santonniers. Emmanuel Fouque, designer and his wife, Catherine, perpetuate the family spirit and ancestral know-how by working together as their forefathers did before. In the workshop of Aix-en-Provence, they welcome visitors and lovers of Provençal craftsmanship. The whole world visits their workshop. The Fouque family has received many prestigious awards.

Léonard Parli

The Maison Léonard Parli was founded in 1874 by a Swiss confectioner Léonard Parli. During a trip to Aix-en-Provence, he discovered a sweet called « calisson ». Seduced by this sweetness, he decided to found the first factory of Calissons d’Aix. For nearly 150 years, the manufacturing secrets of the house Parli are carefully guarded, the two families owners of Léonard Parli, since its creation in 1874, have transmitted with passion the exclusivity of the Parli know-how. The large calissons factory, now the historic shop, is located in front of the Boutique Hotel Cézanne, at 35 avenue Victor Hugo.

The Tourist Office

The Tourist Office of Aix-en-Provence is located at 5 minutes walking from the hotel. They can suggest you many activities to discover the city with various programs. They recommend several partners to organise original tours to discover Aix-en-Provence.

Visit Luberon

Its villages are ranked the “the most beautiful villages in France” – Gordes, Roussillon, Bonnieux, Ménerbes. Gordes is 77 km or 1 hour by car. Take the A7 by the Salon de Provence and head for Cavaillon.

Abbaye Notre-Dame de Sénanque (next to Gordes).

Village des Bories (open-air museum) featuring primitive dry-stone dwellings, open all year round from 9:00 a.m to sunset (next to Gordes).

Just before Gordes, stop off at the Lavender Museum: 276 Route de Gordes, 84220 Coustellet, 9:00 a.m to 12:15 p.m./2:00 to 6:00 p.m. (closed in January).

Visit lower Luberon: Château de Lourmarin, open daily. Visits at: 11:00 a.m., 2:45 and 4:00 p.m. Closed on 1 January and 25 December and the Abbaye de Silvacane – Off season: open daily (except Monday) from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. and from 2:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. Summer (28 May to 30 September): open daily from 10:00 a.m. from 6:00 p.m.

Martigues

“The little Venice of the Mediterranean” is located to the south east of the Etang de Berre and on both sides of the Canal de Caronte, which joins the lagoon to the Mediterranean Sea. The community comprises the Côte Bleue (to the south) passing through the villages of Saint-Pierre-les-Martigues, Saint-Julien-les-Martigues, La Couronne, Carro and Lavéra until Croix-Sainte to the north.

Lavender

Between 15 June and 15 July
Plateau de Valensole (72 km or 50 minutes)
Sault, 109 km or 1 hour 43 minutes via the A7 Salon de Provence and then direction Cavaillon

Château La Coste

Visit the cellars of the Château La Coste (1 hour 40 minutes) and the vineyard’s outdoor sculpture park (1 hour 30 minutes).
Contemporary art works: walk among the woods, hills, olive groves and vineyards of the Domaine and discover art works and installations by guest artists and architects. Open daily from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Price: €15 per person. Booking compulsory and comfortable shoes highly recommended.
Cellars: visits possible all year round. Every day in French from 11:00 a.m to 3:00 p.m. Every day in English at 1:00 p.m. Price: €12 per person – booking compulsory.
Shop: from 1 May to 15 October from 9:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. – From 15 October to 1 May from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. and on Sunday from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.

Atelier Cézanne

Visit Cézanne’s studio at 9 avenue Paul Cézanne, 10 minutes by car or 25 minutes on foot – open from 10:00 a.m. to noon and then from 2:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.: visits in English at 4:00 p.m or visit the Bastide du Jas de Bouffan, route to Galice (distance from our private parking to l’Atelier Cezanne : 15 minutes by car ).