Richelme Square

This little square, just a stone’s throw from the City Hall, is home to Aix’s Provençal market twice a week. Here, you’ll find stalls piled high with fresh produce, local cheeses and all sorts of regional specialties! The square is named after Marie-Rose Richelme, niece of a famous 19th-century local opera singer. It’s actually made up of two squares that have now become one; one was laid out in the 14th century, known as the Place aux Herbes, the Herb Square, and the other came much later, in the 18th century, and became known as the Place du Marché, the Market Square. The building in front of you used to be a grain market, but these days it’s a library. The square got its present name in 1930. Why, hang on, something’s missing! But of course – there’s no fountain! Well, I guess this square is special – it’s one of the few in town without one. It does, however, have a small niche, tucked away in the corner of the old grain market wall, right in front of you. Look up and you’ll see it! There are around a hundred of these niches dotted around the city of Aix; and like this one, most are found at the corner of streets and building façades. They’re like small shrines dedicated to patron saints or the Virgin Mary, and they were built as early as the Middle Ages. These niches served a dual purpose: they encouraged people to pray, but also protected them from epidemics, bad weather and whatever other misfortunes might befall them. So during major epidemics, for example, people could pray from their homes, facing these shrines. Before you, there’s one dedicated to Saint-Roch, always depicted alongside his dog. It dates back to 1849. Right under the statue, there’s an inscription that reads “Pray for us”. So keep your eyes peeled during your visit, for you’ll come across many such niches as you explore the city. In fact, there’s yet another one right here, on Richelme Square. You’ll find it on the other side of the façade, to your left, depicting the Madonna and Child.