aixcentric

I really do like the way the French celebrate their culture. So many of the events and exhibitions during this Year of Culture are drawing in masses of people – Marseille on Saturday was thronged with people watching the armada of boats in the bay.  And hopefully this is all having a positive impact on the local economy.

This coming weekend, the  Journées du Patrimoine celebration is in its 30^th year and the theme locally is ‘Une Terre Inspiratrice de Lumieres’ to tie in with the major art expos. There’s a handsomely produced 64pp booklet which covers all the open buildings, conferences and events, both in Aix and the surrounding villages – definitely worth getting hold of to find what’s on near you. The Office du Tourisme has copies but when I visited last week, they weren’t on the open shelves – you have to go and ask for one!  Click here for the PDF: programme_jdp_2013[1]

I was a little disappointed going through the book as I couldn’t see anything that leapt out as being really special this year. Maybe, having spent ten years here, I have visited a lot of the attractions already.  But here are ten ideas which may be worth adding to your list:

1. Le Pavillon de Trimont, 11 rue de Fontenaille (nr Lycée Cézanne) was the home of a Parlementary family. It’s open Sat 14:30-17:30 and Sun 14:30-16:30. Could be interesting. (Picture right).
2. La Bastide du Roi Réné, just south of the A8, Val St André. This was the King’s summer residence next to the Arc, built in 1472 and enjoyed by him during the last years of his life. There he designed its gardens, made a model farm, and helped local farmers manage their water supplies by irrigation. In later years it became an infirmary to tend the victims of plague and cholera that ravaged the town. It’s now a much-renovated hotel so you may have to use lots of imagination to recreate the Good King’s retreat. There’s a free guided tour, Sat and Sun 15:00. Open both days 10-18:00.
3. Hotel d’Olivary, rue du 4 Septembre. Townhouse for a wealthy family. Having candlelit tours Fri and Sat, 21:00 and 22:00. 5€. You have to reserve.
4. Nuits Aixtravagantes. One and a half hour journeys by moonlight to see illuminated buildings. Fri and Sat 19:45 and 21:30. http://www.aix-patrimoine.org.
5. Film ‘Aix 1948-1968’ is a documentary interviewing locals about their memories of daily life in the town. Halle des Grains library, Sat 15:30.
6. Leo Marchutz is the person of honour this year. There’s a whole page of talks listed in the guide, and Marchutz exhibitions are at the Atelier Cézanne and the tourist office.
7. The tourist office is offering various guided tours.
8. Villa Grassi – the remains of a Roman villa just off the peripherique – is allowing visitors on Sunday 14-18:00. There will be 20 minute talks by guides.
9. You can ride round town in a vintage car (20-60’s) and your donation will go towards a centre for the handicapped at Celony. Sunday 10-17:00 hrs, top of the cours Mirabeau.
10. Fondation Vasarely is free to visit Sat and Sun, 10-13, 14-18 and you can catch the retrospective of the artist’s work which ends 18^th September.

PLEASE check all details with the official guide-book and timetable.