Place de l'Hôtel de Ville, Aix-en-Provence

Town Hall in Aix en Provence

Place De L’Hôtel De Ville, Aix-en-Provence
Public Domain / Aix-en-Provence

The Place de l’Hôtel de Ville in Aix, one of the most renowned squares in Provence, is situated in the heart of the city, directly in front of the Town Hall. The present Town Hall building, completed in 1678, replaces an earlier 14th-century structure and was designed by architect Pierre Pavillon with the assistance of sculptors Jean-Claude Rambot and Jacques Fosse. Notably, the celebrated French artist Paul Cezanne married Marie-Hortense Fiquet here in 1886.

Adjacent to the square stands the white limestone Clock Tower, erected in 1510, which features an astronomical clock made in 1661. The tower is topped with a cage that holds the medieval “bell of the ban,” historically rung to enforce Seigneurial rights requiring peasants to pay dues in cash, produce, or labor.

Between the Town Hall Square and Richelme Square is the 18th-century Corn Exchange Hall. This elaborately decorated building now functions as the municipal library and post office. At the square’s center, a fountain designed by Jean-Pancrace Chastel in 1755, crowned with a Roman column, adds historical charm.

The square is lined with several cafes and restaurants, providing a pleasant spot for coffee or a meal. Additionally, a flower market takes place here on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays, while a book fair is held on the first Sunday of each month.

The Place de l'Hôtel de Ville, Aix-en-Provence appears in our Complete Guide to Visiting Aix en Provence!

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Visiting Place de l'Hôtel de Ville, Aix-en-Provence

Address: Place de l'Hôtel de Ville, Rue Vauvenargues, Aix-en-Provence, France
Duration: 20 minutes

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