Aix-en-Provence is a lovely city situated in the Provence region of southern France.  The home of Paul Cezanne, it is a place of extreme beauty, inspiration and tranquility.  The Romans founded it in the 2nd Century B.C. as Aqua Sextiae, which made reference to its thermal springs.  Its University was founded in the 15th Century and is home to many old architectural treasures, including fountains, squares, and churches.  It is a small city, but is highlighted by its Provencale cuisine and natural beauty.

Tour in Aix en Provence 2013

The Association des “Jumelages” and “Amis du Festival” (Friends of the Festival) in Aix en Provence are offering an exciting organized tour during the world famous “Opera Festival of Aix en Provence” that is designed especially for their Sister Cities.

The events are being held in July, 2013.  However, they do encourage participants to sign up as soon as possible.  Please refer to the following documents for tour information.  Everyone is welcome and the tours will be in English.  The program will also include personalized welcomes and meetings. 

Click Above for Program                                                                               Click above for form

Marie Odile Chotard, past Sister Cities liaison, visited Philadelphia in early June, 2012 with two friends.  They had lunch in Sister Cities Park and had their photo taken next to "Aix en Provence" signs!

Visiting Philadelphia in March and April 2009 were five people from our French Sister City, Aix-en-Provence. They came to Philadelphia to see the Cezanne and Beyond exhibition in the Philadelphia Museum of Art. They spent few days in Philadelphia and the region going on tours and visiting museums. One of the guests was our friend Marie-Odile Chotard who brought the group of folk dancers, the chef and Cezanne expert to Philadelphia last May. If you plan to visit Provence this year, you should know that they prepared exceptional events for 2009! There will be a host of major events on the PICASSO theme, from May through September, offering visitors a chance to discover the region’s most beautiful sights and follow the footsteps of this inimitable artist. To view a complete cultural itinerary of Picasso in Provence Cote D’Azur please visit this site. However, if you plan to be in Aix in different months, you can explore the city of Cezanne going on tours and visiting many sights the city has to offer. For information please visit Aix-en-Provence tourism office site. 

In May 2008, a group of 23 people – including 20 dancers, a Provencal chef and Cezanne lecturer visited Philadelphia for five days.  Marie Odile Chotard, our Aix en Provence liaison, accompanied the delegation and our office arranged for homestays for the entire group, except Ms. Chotard, who stayed at the Courtyard Marriott. Jennifer McGinn met the delegation upon their arrival in Philadelphia.  The dancers then attended the IVC First Wednesday Reception and delighted the attendees by arriving in costume, playing music and handing out chocolate that was shipped directly from Aix!  The next morning they enjoyed an overview sightseeing tour of the city with Aneta Komandarczyk, also from a Sister City, Torun.  Performances were arranged and the dancers performed for young students at Russell Byers Charter School.  Later that afternoon, they danced in the City Hall Courtyard.  The following day, the dancers performed at the Independence Charter School and to a large lunch-time crowd at the Reading Terminal Market.  At every venue, the audience was pleased with their unique performance and excited to learn that they were visiting from Philadelphia’s Sister City.  Our office also arranged for a visit to The Barnes Foundation which they all enjoyed. 

You can admire the beauty of the Provence region by viewing photos below.