Aix possesses a wealth of superb architecture that has been carefully preserved and restored. Walking through the Cours Mirabeau and the Rue Gaston de Saporta, visitors can admire the famous fountains, and the private mansions with their sculptured doors and windows and the intricate ironwork on the balconies. On the Place des Martyrs de la Résistance is the ancient Cathedral and in the neighbouring archbishop's palace is the Musée des Tapisseries. A nice way to see the city and surrounding countryside is renting a bicycle.

French is the official language.

The Euro (EUR) is the official currency in France. Currency can be exchanged at banks, bureaux de change and some large hotels, though you will get a better exchange rate at the ATMs. Major credit cards are widely accepted, as are travellers cheques, particularly in major tourist destinations. Foreign currency is not accepted.

Aix-en-Provence can be very crowded in the summer months when international holiday makers arrive and local tourists stream in from Marseilles.

There are many bars and pubs to choose from in town, and a large student population ensures that the nightlife is always lively. Aix-en-Provence has a thriving jazz scene centred in the The Hot Brass Jazz Club and the Scat Club, which offers late-night music from Tuesday to Sunday. Those looking for house music can go to Le Mistral on rue Frédéric-Mistral.

Most of the restaurants in Aix-en-Provence are centred around the old city, between Place des Cardeurs and Cours Mirabeau. Le Clos de la Violette is known for excellent Provençal cuisine, and Le Passage serves contemporary Mediterranean food in a converted 19th century candy factory. Pizza Capri offers a cheap and delicious alternative for the budget-conscious.

Shopping is one of the main reasons that tourists flock to Aix-en-Provence; there is a large market every Saturday on Avenue du Cap-Pinede, and smaller ones on Tuesdays and Thursdays. The town centre is quite compact and each square seems to have another bazaar - one is the flower market at the Place de l'Hotel de Ville, one has vegetable and fruit stalls at the nearby Marche des Capucins, another awonderful weekend antique market. There are also plenty of shops, from department stores and expensive boutiques to wonderful cheese shops, butcheries and fish shops. Around Aix-en-Provence's old port, there are plenty of stylish shops clustered: the Galeries Lafayette department store is ideal for a 'shopfest', along with the fashion boutiques that line the pedestrianised Rue St-Ferreol. Fun stores for browsing can be found on the Cours Julien, and local designers beckon on the Rue de la Tour. The main street of Marseille, La Canabiere, stretches up the hill away from the port, packed with inviting stores and constantly bustling.

Local time is GMT +1 (GMT +2 between last Sunday in March and last Sunday in October).