Editing Aix-en-provence

{{France}}
{{City
    |name       =Aix-en-Provence
    |region     =Europe
    |country    =France
    |nickname   =Aquae Sextiae
    |group      =3052
    |wikipedia  =Aix-en-Provence
    |wikivoyage =Aix-en-Provence
    |image      =Rotonde1.jpg
    |imagetext  =The Rotunda
    |ambassadors=eXar6te & equinoxe_13

}}
'''Updated : 25st August 2010'''

[[File:BLASON.JPG|thumb|100px|center]]
[[File:24.jpg|thumb|800px|center|The most famous moutain in Aix thanks to Cezane : "la montagne Sainte Victoire"]]

'''Updated : 25st August 2010'''



'''Aix-en-Provence''' is part of the [[France|French]] region of [[Provence Alpes-Côte d'Azur]]. It is often simply referred to as '''Aix'''. There are 300 members from couchsurfing living there and we would like you to come and visit us while you are passing through our region.

== History ==
Aix en Provence was founded as Aquae Sextiae in the year 122 NC, by Sextius Calvanius, after first destroying the Ligurian oppidium at Entremont. In 102 BC, Marius, who defeated the Teutons on the plain of Pourrières (20km east), embellished the town with monuments. In 45 BC, Cesar declared Aix a colony. The thermal baths were developed around 15 BC from local mineral hot springs. When the Roman Empire was recognized at the end of the 3rd Century AD, Aix became the capital of the second Narbonnaise. Aix is on the Roman road Aurelian Way.

An archbishop was installed here from around 400 AD, , although the archbishopric was established definitely in the 8th century. The Roman colony was abandoned in 574, and the early Middle Ages became a time of invasion, principally by the Barbarians and the Saracens. During this period, regional power evolved to Arles.

From the 11th to 15th centuries, Aix came back to life in stature. In 1182, the Counts of Provence took Aix as their home, and the city was known for its refined and literate court. In 1409, a university was founded by Louis II. 

In 1481, following the Anjou-Provence alliance, Provence was leagued to the crown by Charles III of Maine, Provence's last ruler. Good King René (Bon Roi René) (1409-80), who was one of the most literate and enlightened men of his time, ruled during Aixe's golden age, bringing art, theatre, literature and the Muscat grape to Aix and Provence. Aix became the seat of the new parliament in 1501.

Early in the 16th century, Aix was ravaged repeatedly by the Imperials. Aix sided with the Reform, against Richelieu and Mazarin, and lost. 

Aix declined even further during the revolution, and was eventually supplanted politically by Marseille.

== Arrival and departure ==
[[File:Aeroport.jpg|thumb|250px|right|Marseille-Provence airport]]

==== By Plane ====


'''En''':
Aéroport Marseille Provence (Mo-Su dép every 30min, journey time 30min, 7,00€). [http://www.mrsairport.com/eng/acces/acces_bus.jsp shuttle buses]

The nearest airport is [http://www.marseille.aeroport.fr Marseille-Provence Airport] near Marignane. Since late 2006, they also opened the [http://www.mp2.aeroport.fr MP2 LowCost terminal]. It links Aix en Provence with all the major cities in Europe and North Africa ([http://www.mp2.aeroport.fr/vol-direct-lowcost-Agadir-AGA-Maroc.html Agadir], [http://www.mp2.aeroport.fr/vol-direct-lowcost-Biarritz-BIQ-France.html Biarritz], [http://www.mp2.aeroport.fr/vol-direct-lowcost-Brest-BES-France.html Brest], [http://www.mp2.aeroport.fr/vol-direct-lowcost-Bruxelles-CRL-Belgique.html Bruxelles Charleroi], [http://www.mp2.aeroport.fr/vol-direct-lowcost-Casablanca-CMN-Maroc.html Casablanca], [http://www.mp2.aeroport.fr/vol-direct-lowcost-Beauvais-BVA-France.html Beauvais (Paris=80kms)], [http://www.mp2.aeroport.fr/vol-direct-lowcost-Brest-BES-France.html Brest], [http://www.mp2.aeroport.fr/vol-direct-lowcost-Bruxelles-CRL-Belgique.html Brussels], Cagliari, [http://www.mp2.aeroport.fr/vol-direct-lowcost-Casablanca-CMN-Maroc.html Casablanca], Cologne, Dublin, Edimbourg, [http://www.mp2.aeroport.fr/vol-direct-lowcost-Eindhoven-EIN-Pays_Bas.html Eindhoven], [http://www.mp2.aeroport.fr/vol-direct-lowcost-Fes-FEZ-Maroc.html Fès], Göteborg, [http://www.mp2.aeroport.fr/vol-direct-lowcost-Lille-LIL-France.html Lille], [http://www.mp2.aeroport.fr/vol-direct-lowcost-Londres-STN-Royaume_Uni.html London], [http://www.mp2.aeroport.fr/vol-direct-lowcost-Madrid-MAD-Espagne.html Madrid], Malaga, [http://www.mp2.aeroport.fr/vol-direct-lowcost-Marrakech-RAK-Maroc.html Marrakech], [http://www.mp2.aeroport.fr/vol-direct-lowcost-Nador-NDR-Maroc.html Nador], [http://www.mp2.aeroport.fr/vol-direct-lowcost-Nantes-NTE-France.html Nantes], [http://www.mp2.aeroport.fr/vol-direct-lowcost-Oslo-TRF-Norvege.html Oslo], [http://www.mp2.aeroport.fr/vol-direct-lowcost-Porto-OPO-Portugal.html Porto], [http://www.mp2.aeroport.fr/vol-direct-lowcost-Stockholm-NYO-Suede.html Stockholm], [http://www.mp2.aeroport.fr/vol-direct-lowcost-Tanger-TNG-Maroc.html Tanger], [http://www.mp2.aeroport.fr/vol-direct-lowcost-Tours-TUF-France.html Tours]).

These companies offer good deals to get in Aix : [http://www.ryanair.com Ryanair], [http://www.easyjet.com Easy Jet], [http://www.jet4you.com Jet4You], [http://germanwings.com Germanwings], [http://www.atlas-blue.com Atlas-blue]. <br />

==== By Train ====
[[File:Gare_tgv.jpg|thumb|250px|right|Aix en Provence TGV]]


'''En''' :You've got 2 train stations in Aix en Provence : ‘Aix en Provence (CENTER)’ et ‘Aix en Provence TGV’.

If you come from Paris, Lyon, Avignon or Europe (Brussel, London, Geneva, Amsterdam,...) with the TGV, you'll arrive at ‘Aix en Provence TGV’, 15km far from the down town, shuttles bring you in the down town (journey time 15 min, 3,60€)

'''REDUCTION CARD''' : if you are under 26, you can buy a reduction card for 15€/year which allow you to have a 50% reduction 7 days / 7 in all the TER '''in the PACA Region'''(Express Regional Train) and most of the regional LER (Express Regional Line), [http://www.ter-sncf.com/paca TER in PACA] [http://www.online-poker-spielen.biz/betsson-poker-review/ betsson poker]

I would recommend you to buy online '''IDTGV''' or '''Prem's''' tickets.[http://www.voyages-sncf.com/leisure/fr/launch/home/ SNCF reservation]
[[File:Navette.jpg|thumb|250px|right|The shuttle 'car 13']]

==== By Bus ====


'''En''' : Many lines exist in the area, '''(fr)''' [http://www.lepilote.com/transports/ChoixLigne.asp?id_part=4 lepilote.com] is the website for your bus journey in the area. [http://www.lepilote.com/img/_info/Plan%20du%20reseau%202009.pdf Map of buses in the area in pdf format]

'''Arles''' ([http://www.lepilote.com/img/_info/FH0018.pdf line 18], Mo-Sa 6 dep/d, Su 3 dep/d, Journey time 1:30, 9,00€)

'''Avignon''' ([http://www.lepilote.com/Img/_info/ler/LER-23.pdf LER-line 23], Mo-Sa 4 dep/d, Su 1 dep/d, journey time 1:15, [http://www.lepilote.com/img/_info/ler/LER-23_infos.pdf 13,3€])

'''Marseille''' ([http://www.navetteaixmarseille.com/ line car 50 or 51], Mo-Sa dep every 20min, Su dep every 30min, journey time 30min, 4,90€). Departure from [http://www.viamichelin.fr/viamichelin/fra/dyn/controller/Cartes-plans?mapId=-tcrc77kujt9d0o&initialMap=mapid&dx=529.5&dy=96&empriseW=951&empriseH=400 porte d'Aix], take the boulevard '''Charles Nedelec''' (follow the signs in the station of Marseille St Charles, 5min walk),''' follow the map just after'''.

'''REDUCTION CARD''' : the 'Conseil Générale des Bouches du Rhône' offers for the young under 25 a card for 5€ (identity card is necessary) allows you to buy tickets for 1€ valid for all the lines around Aix and Marseille every weekend. 

You have some bus companies like [http://www.eurolines.com Eurolines] which can get you to Aix easily. Or check this website which provides some information about bus to reach Aix [http://www.lepilote.com/ Regional buses]. Bus station's phone number is 08.91.024.025 (Watch out! Expensive number!!!)

[[File:Plan marseille st charles.JPG|thumb|760px|center|How to take the bus to Aix when your are in Marseille]]

==== By Car ====
Motorways A7 - A46 et A8
Paris (780 km)
Lyon (300 km)
Nice (175 km)
Exits : Aix North Aix Ouest, Aix South - et Aix Center

Motorways A54 et A9
Montpellier (150 km) - Nîmes (120 km) - Arles (80 km)
Exits : Aix Ouest et Aix Sud <br />

<br />

== Guidance ==

Free maps of the town are available in the [http://www.aixenprovencetourism.com/uk/ Tourism office]

You can also take a look at this [http://maps.google.fr/maps?q=Aix-en-Provence,+France&ie=UTF8&ll=43.527922,5.451665&spn=0.014126,0.040169&z=15&om=1 map]

== Se déplacer dans Aix / Transfert in Aix ==
'''Bus''' : [http://www.aixenbus.com AIXENBUS] (pages in French). The office is into the tourism office. [http://www.aixenbus.com/bien_voyager/tarifs/pour_tous 1€/Ticket, 7€/10 Tickets]

'''Taxi''' : ATRA (04 42 27 71 11) are able to provide you an English speaking driver.

'''Location de voiture / Rent a car''' : '''ADA LOCATION''' (04 42 52 36 36), '''AVIS''' (04 42 21 64 16), '''EUROPCAR''' (08 25 89 69 76), '''HERTZ''' (04 42 27 91 32)

'''Location de vélo / Bicycle rent''' : the city provides you bicycles for 1€/hour (the first 30min are free), this service is called [http://www.vhello.fr/Abonnement/Les-tarifs/Consultez-les-tarifs2 v’hello] (pages in French).

== Informations pratiques / Convenient information ==

'''''Most of the websites I quote here are translated in English, just click on British flag for English'''''

'''Office du tourisme / Tourism office''' [http://www.aixenprovencetourism.com/uk/ website]

'''Mairie d'Aix / Aix city Hall''' [http://www.mairie-aixenprovence.fr/ Website]

'''Banques / Banks''' : '''Societe Generale, LCL, BNP...''' ont des '''bureaux de change''' et vous y trouverez de nombreux '''distributeurs''' sur le [http://maps.google.fr/maps?f=q&hl=fr&geocode=&q=cours+mirabeau&sll=47.15984,2.988281&sspn=12.374385,40.78125&ie=UTF8&ll=43.527362,5.448575&spn=0.006441,0.019913&z=16&om=0 cours Mirabeau] / have many '''change desk''' and you will find '''ATM''' on the [http://maps.google.fr/maps?f=q&hl=fr&geocode=&q=cours+mirabeau&sll=47.15984,2.988281&sspn=12.374385,40.78125&ie=UTF8&ll=43.527362,5.448575&spn=0.006441,0.019913&z=16&om=0 cours Mirabeau].

'''Phone''' : Public phones do not use coins. Instead, you must buy a card from a newspaper vendor or shop vendor. They cost about €7. Keep this in mind when attempting to contact your host.

'''Internet''' : you've got several [http://aixcentre.ifrance.com/sortir/cybercafes/cybercafes.htm cybercafé in Aix] (3€/hour) 

'''Urgence / Emergency''' : 18, 17, 15 or 112

'''Location d'appartement / rent an apartment''' : [http://www.adele.org/public/residence/residence_liste.php?ville_mere=AIX-EN-PROVENCE Adele] or 
[http://www.mairie-aixenprovence.fr/cile_search.php Mairie]

'''Préparer votre voyage / Prepare your Journey''' : Check these website [http://www.levoyageur.net Le voyageur]; [http://www.nationalgeographic.com/traveler National Geographic]; [http://www.mytravelguide.com/global/touristinfo-17568802-France_Aix_en_Provence_travelguide.html Travel guide]

== Meetings ==
There are regular '''meetings'''. Regular small local meet ups take place a few times a week (going for drinks, picnics and various events). Check out the [[:csgroup:3052|Aix-En-Provence group]] for more info! The group is mainly used for you to find couches, get in touch with local hosts, organising meeting around the region.

== Tips ==
When '''looking for a couch''' don't hesitate to request it from CSers that live in the suburbs! 
== CouchSurfers ==
You can reach the couchsurfers of Aix en Provence on the CS group, [[:csgroup:3052|Aix en Provence]]

== Emergency couches available ==
For an emergency, post in the [[:csgroup:6617|Aix-en-Provence EMERGENCY group]]

== What to do? ==
You will find here :[[:csgroup:8758|Schedule]] of what to do in Aix.

== In Case of Emergency ==
[[File:110 F 5944636 1f9rXG7PRPiG210JXW9Jql5PCPR0x9Lo.jpg|thumb|250px|right|]]

* '''Police Station:''' 04 42 93 97 00	
* '''Health Urgency:''' 04 42 96 66 00
* '''Hospital:''' 04 42 33 50 00 [http://www.ch-aix.fr/ website]
* '''Fireman Station:''' 18 or 04 42 99 18 18
* '''Emergency Doctor:''' 04 42 26 24 00

* '''Other numbers:''' [http://www.mairie-aixenprovence.fr/categorie.php?id=8 website]

== Gallery ==
[http://www.flickr.com/photos/21858834@N07/sets/ External gallery]

<gallery>
Image:Cathedrale.JPG|The cathedral of Aix en Provence by night
Image:Espariatjour.JPG|The Albertas square
Image:Espariatnight.JPG|The Albertas square with moonlight
Image:Mairie.JPG|The City Hall
Image:Etatdeprovence.JPG|the ''Etat de Provence'' room into the city hall
Image:Fontaine.JPG|One the hundred foutain of Aix
Image:Marche.JPG|On the weekly market
Image:Ruelle.JPG|A Medieval street
Image:Vendome.JPG|The MOST beautiful House in Aix : ''Pavillon Vendome''
</gallery>

== Local Media Mentions ==

[[File:Provence 13-03-2009.JPG|thumb|1000px|center|]]

[[Category:Provence-Alpes-Côte-d'Azur]]