Like much of France, Aix-en-Provence is chic and stylish with historic buildings and intimate cafés around every beautiful corner. But it’s also a university city and student life is easy to see out on the streets and in the bars. It’s not cheap to stay here and it gives off an atmosphere of upper-class, well-to-do French society, but it’s a captivating city and not as touristy as many places in France.
There’s a good choice of hotels and villas to rent, some of which I’ve stayed in and some that are still on my “to-visit” list. To get you started, here are six of the best places to stay in Aix-en-Provence, France.
1. Grand Hôtel ROI René Aix-En-Provence Center-MGallery
Just a 5-minute walk from the main square, Grand Hôtel ROI René Aix-en-Provence Center-MGallery is a boutique hotel that has everything you need for exploring the town, plus some nice little thoughtful touches in the rooms. Complimentary still and sparkling water are left in the fridge in your room and are replaced every day. It might seem like a small thing, but it’s so appreciated on those warm days. There’s a lovely outdoor pool with plenty of sun loungers and a terrace for dining and drinking outside. A standout feature of this hotel is how very friendly and welcoming all the staff are. They really do make you feel at home.
Dinner And Drinks
At the hotel’s restaurant, La Table Du Roi, tables do have to be booked ahead if you want to be seated at a certain time. But there are a lot of tables, so many both inside and out on the terrace that it’s usually not a problem if you haven’t booked; you might just have to wait a little for your table to be ready. The menu is short, but it still has a good choice of dishes. Seabream is a popular one with guests, but the house burger is also really good. Whether you fancy a spot of fine-dining or want to keep it casual, there’s something to suit you.
2. La Maison Du Collectionneur
Run by a brother-and-sister team, La Maison du Collectionneur is a boutique hotel that’s part hotel and part art gallery. The experience is quite unique as the spacious ensuite rooms are typical of a boutique hotel, but the art and artifacts everywhere you look make it feel like you’re staying in some gallery or museum. Breakfast is available at the hotel and there’s a lovely little courtyard out back if you want to take breakfast out there. But there is no restaurant for dining otherwise. The staff is very good at recommending local restaurants and will even help you book them.
Location
The hotel is in the center of town, right in the middle of the action, but as it’s tucked away down a side street, it’s always quiet, and no matter which room you have, there’s no noise from the streets. It’s a 10-minute walk to the train and bus stations or there are plenty of taxis to take you. You can easily stay in the area as there are plenty of restaurants and bars within walking distance of the hotel.
3. Villa Maélie
If you’re traveling to France with a big group, family, or friends, Villa Maélie is a great base to explore from. Though, to be honest, the villa is so beautiful and has every amenity you need, you might not want to leave it much. The villa sleeps up to 16 guests with eight bedrooms, seven bathrooms, and two fitness rooms available for those who want to keep up with their exercise routine. The outdoor pool complex is lovely with a separate small children’s pool and plenty of sun loungers.
Location
The villa is located in a quiet area just a 15-minute drive from the center of Aix-en-Provence. It’s just off the main road, so it’s easy to get taxis to and from the city, and it’s close to bars and restaurants in downtown Aix-en-Provence. Once you’re on the grounds of the villa, it feels like the city is a world away.
4. L’Hotel Particulier 28
L’Hotel Particulier 28 is listed on travel sites as a boutique hotel — and it has the word “hotel” in its name — but be aware this is more of a collection of rooms than a hotel. There are just four guest rooms, which means that it’s technically not really a hotel. The unique rooms are each different, all interestingly and beautifully designed and decorated. Breakfast and dinner are available at the hotel, but they are not included in the room rate and need to be booked separately. If you book these add-ons, it will certainly feel more like a hotel experience, and a very unusual and unique one. Just a 3-minute walk from the main street of the town, it’s perfectly positioned for exploring the city and its full character.
Dinner And Drinks
The restaurant, run by Chef Mark, serves Italian dishes including pizzas, lasagna, and a tasty rigatoni al Vesuvio. My eyes always skip forward to the desserts on any menu, and if it’s Italian, I want to know if there’s tiramisu. There is, it’s wonderful, and I’d definitely recommend it. It’s a short menu, and very specific to southern Italy, but the food is so good that whatever you order is going to be delicious, and actually, I often like a little less choice on a menu. It saves having to make those difficult decisions.
5. Villa Tera
Villa Tera is a beautiful stone-built villa with an outdoor pool that sleeps 10 people. It has five bedrooms and four bathrooms, plus a movie room with a big screen and soft seating for those evenings in. There’s a very modern design inside this villa — minimalist and not traditional at all. If you like clean lines and no fuss, you’ll love this one. It has everything you need for a getaway with friends or family, or just somewhere with lots of space for the two or four of you. There are some lovely landscaped gardens around the villa that are nice for a stroll around.
Location
This villa is a half-hour drive from Aix-en-Provence, close to the village of Eguilles. It’s still easy to get to and from the city when you’re based here, and there are lots of taxis if you don’t want to drive. Plus, it’s nice to be out of town and close to a quiet village. Eguilles is an authentic French village that’s a lovely little place to explore. It’s very different from the city.
6. Villa Cézanne
A beautiful traditional villa that looks like a small chateau, Villa Cézanne, sleeps eight people in four bedrooms and has four bathrooms. The interior is very eclectic with lots of paintings on the walls, piles of books, and ornaments. It feels like a home, like someone lives here, and it feels very traditionally French. There’s an outdoor swimming pool and a lovely wooded garden with fruit trees. The patio doors from the kitchen and dining room open right out to make it almost outdoor dining, bringing the outdoors inside.
Location
This villa is within Aix-en-Provence and is just a 7-minute drive from the center of town. In fact, it’s so close, it would only take you 15 minutes to walk. Public transport is available and you could get a bus, but to be honest, factoring in the time it takes to walk to the bus stop and from the bus once you get to town, it’s not really worth it and you might as well walk. Alternatively there are plenty of taxis to take you the short distance.
