Axel Brocke

The city boasts Roman remains mixed with the traditional medieval network of streets, facades from the 18th century, fountains and springs. All of that is featured by the latest amenities of our time, because the inhabitants of Aix (mainly students) are very active and modern. In summer it is impossible to come here and not to see any of numerous cultural events.

Almost in every corner you will find well done facade, stone fountain, simply a lot of interesting things. That is how I think is the best way to know Aix.

You, however, should know that in a short visit to the city you can not catch and see everything the city has to offer, because it is really much.

Vasarely Museum

This black and white museum is built in a charming contrast to the green hills around. It was designed in the 70′s of the last century by Victor Vaserly, the father of Op Art, a method of painting, which developed after Pop art.

Vasarely was born in Budapest, spent his childhood in the Slovak Republic, and after the wedding with his French wife he lived in France. Glass building itself is an optical illusion, a few are exposed to some hexagone Vasarely works.

Cézanne’s trail

Cézanne’s trail that leads through Aix takes approximately two-hour. It is marked with gold signs and show you Cézanne’s favorite cafes and its birthplace. At the end of the trail is Cézanne’s studio, where you can see a tray with fresh apples arranged every day, coat hanging in the corner and the chair pushed away from the table, so here you have the impression that the artist has just left to the garden. From the windows you can see a landscape that inspired Paul Cézanne all the time, so do not hesitate and be inspired too.

In the summer months the garden holds an evening concerts or even a night exhibitions. More detailed information can be found on the studio website: www.atelier-cezanne.com

Cathedral of St. Saveur

The cathedral was built between the 11th and 13th century. As a result it is a mixture of the Romanesque, Gothic and Baroque styles. During your visit do not miss to get to the monastic tower from the 12th century. It is one of the most interesting places of the cathedral, and its top also offers beautiful views of the octagonal belfry and the surroundings.

During the French Revolution, citizens of the town cut off all the statues on the cathedral’s head, the statues were returned back in the 19th century despite the fact that the most heads had no neck.

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The old castle was built on the place of today’s castle in Pierrefonds already in the 12th century. This great military strength has undergone a number of refurbishment over the centuries as well as its owner changed frequently. In March 1617, during the troubled reign of King Louis XIII, the castle was conquered by troops of the Chief minister Cardinal Richelieu. He decided to demolish a castle. However thanks to a huge range of construction, the work of destruction was not completed. The roofs have been destroyed and the walls were devastated by the canons.

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Pierrefonds Castle then remained as a ruin for the next two centuries. Napoleon I bought the wreck in 1810 for just 3,000 francs. In the 19th century began a period of fashion traditions of medieval knights. The ruins of Pierrefonds Castle were captured between 1834 and 1866 by the French painter Corot in his paintings.

The future French emperor Napoleon III visited the castle in 1850. Later, as emperor, asked the architect Viollet-le-Duc in 1857 to carry out reconstruction of the castle. The project grew and later they wanted to build a royal residence here. Viollet-le-Duc built it much under the influence of his ideas about the Middle Ages. The fort was changed to the castle. Yet as a builder proved very good knowledge of military fortifications of 14th century.

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