Cours Mirabeau

The main promenade in Aix is "Cours Mirabeau". It is 440 meters long and 42 meters wide, and is one of the most popular and lively places in the town.
It is lined with many cafés, one of the most famous being Les Deux Garçons; during its history was frequented by famous French cultural figures such as Paul Cézanne, Emile Zola and Albert Camus. The wide thoroughfare was named after Honoré Gabriel Riqueti, Comte de Mirabeau (March 9, 1749 – 2 April 1791), a French revolutionary, as well as a writer, diplomat, freemason, journalist and French politician at the same time (whew!).


The pretty street has wide sidewalks planted with double rows of plane-trees and divides Aix into two portions, the Quartier Mazarin, (the new town) which extends to the south and west, and the Ville comtale, (the old town) which lies to the north with its wide but irregular streets and its old mansions dating from the 16th, 17th and 18th centuries. (BTW, to us it's all old!!!)

In the middle of the avenue (spaced well apart) stand three beautiful fountains, the center one of which, the "Fontaine Chaude", is fed with warm spring water. The Place du Général de Gaulle forms the western boundary of the line of streets, where the great Fontaine de la Rotonde stands (pictured).

It is such an atmospheric place, perfect for a morning coffee, afternoon wine or a post dinner Amarino ice cream. And it is THE spot for people watching! We have been enchanted by Cours Mirabeau and have taken many photos - some of which can be viewed by following the link to the right.