Cours Mirabeau boulevard

Cours Mirabeau isn’t just any street; it’s one of Aix-en-Provence’s busiest thoroughfares. It was laid out in the 17th century, right on top of the old ramparts, as a promenade for the city’s aristocracy. Take a look around you: those grand mansions lining the street were their homes! In fact, it was these wealthy bourgeois who petitioned for the creation of this boulevard so they could take their daily strolls. On your right, the house at number 4, for example, belonged to Villars, Governor of Provence; it was built back in 1710. A little further down, at number 20, you’ll find the Hôtel de Forbin, a beautiful 17th-century townhouse that has hosted a number of illustrious guests, including the Dukes of Burgundy and Berry, Louis XIV’s grandsons and Napoleon’s sister. And finally, at number 55, you’ll find the childhood home of Paul Cézanne. We’ll pass by that one a little later in the tour. Stretching over 440 meters, the Cours Mirabeau has thus plenty of stories to tell. It took its current name back in 1876, in honour of Honoré Gabriel Riqueti, Count of Mirabeau. He was a leading figure in the French Revolution and a deputy elected by the Third Estate in both Aix and Marseille. Starting in the 19th century, cafés started popping up everywhere, followed by all sorts of shops in the 1900s – bookstores, sweet shops, clothing boutiques and even cinemas! From 1903 to 1947, there was even a streetcar running all the way from Marseille to Forbin Square, just a little further down. There used to be four fountains here – the Fountain of Seahorses that vanished over time, the Pyramid fountain, now called King René’s fountain, the Mossy fountain and, finally, the Fountain of the Nine Cannons. The latter three can still be seen today. Cours Mirabeau has always been a happening place, and that’s no different today. It hosts the Christmas market every winter and the craftsmen’s market every summer, and it’s crawling with bars, restaurants and boutiques overflowing with people day and night. Searching for a fun place to grab a drink tonight? Look no further – this is the place to be!