Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
8. PAVILLON DE VENDOME
Obliged to enter holy orders, local cardinal Louis de Mercoeur built this honey-
stoned villa as a love-nest for his mistress in 1665. Its size, decorated façade and ex-
tensive gardens, however, suggest a rather open secret. It now houses a collection of
18th-century paintings.
Pavillon de Vendôme • 32 rue Celony • Open 10am-6pm
Wed-Mon (1:30-5pm mid-Oct-mid- Apr); Closed Jan • Adm €3
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9. MONT SAINTE-VICTOIRE
To the east of Aix, this soaring mountain, 1,000 m (3,300 ft) high and 7 km (11 miles)
across, exerts an almost mystical power over the region. Cézanne was so obsessed by
its changing moods and intriguing shapes that he painted it more than 60 times. On
the northern slopes is the Château de Vauvenargues, former home and burial place
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10. FONDATION VASARELY
This intriguing centre is dedicated to Hungarian artist Victor Vasarely's work on the
integration of art into architecture. Behind the geometric façade are displays of weird
dimensions and perspectives.
Fondation Vasarely • 1 ave Marcel Pagnol • Open
10am-1pm, 2-6pm Tue-Sun • Adm €7
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Exploring Aix
Start at the Office du Tourisme, opposite the Rotonde fountain on place
Général-de-Gaulle. If you want to follow in Cézanne's footsteps pick up the walk-
ing tour leaflet here. Otherwise, stroll up Cours Mirabeau to No. 55 (Cézanne's
grandfather's hat shop, now a linen shop) and slip into the Old Town through
the tiny Passage Agard. Return for a drink at the Café des Deux Garçons at
No. 53 Cours Mirabeau, where Cézanne met other artists. Chic shops are in the
Quartier Mazarin on the other side of the Cours.
