Bonjour les ami·e·s d’Étranger Things! Here’s your lovingly curated “what’s on” for today, tonight, and the weekend—with when, where, how to get there, and why it’s special. (Yes, I tested the bus directions with my trademark “I-thought-this-was-the-entrance” face. You’re welcome.)
Today — Friday
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Morning → Daily Provençal Market (8:00–14:00)
Where: Place Richelme (centre-ville). Why special: the beating tomato-scented heart of Aix—perfect for cheese diplomacy. Go: stroll from La Rotonde (5–7 min). Official hours listed by the tourist office. (Aix en Provence - Office de Tourisme) -
18:30 → Pavillon Noir: “Studio ouvert – Micol Taiana”
Where: Pavillon Noir, 530 av. Mozart. Why special: peek inside the dance hive before the big Heritage Days. Go: Bus A (Aixpress) or lines 18/200/220 to Cité du Livre, 2-min walk. (Preljocaj) -
20:30 → 6MIC: “FOCUS – Spécial Magma” (Free)
Where: 6MIC, 160 rue Pascal Duverger. Why special: new-season spotlight night—local scene, zero euros, max vibes. Go: Bus A (Aixpress) → Vasarely stop, then ~10 min walk along chemin des Aubépines. (6MIC)
Weekend — Saturday & Sunday
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Journées Européennes du Patrimoine (Heritage Days) — Fri–Sun
Doors fling open all over Aix, with special tours, free entries, and Cézanne-flavoured surprises. City focus this year: bastides (hello, Jas de Bouffan). Grab the official program and pick your route. (Aix en Provence - Office de Tourisme)Highlights to pencil in:
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Guided visits: Pavillon Noir — Sat & Sun tours of the building dedicated to dance. (Preljocaj)
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Théâtre du Jeu de Paume — Sat tours at 11:00, 14:00, 16:00 (booking/details via Les Théâtres). (Les Théâtres)
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6MIC behind-the-scenes tour — Sat (Heritage Days special). (6MIC)
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Musée Granet → “Cézanne au Jas de Bouffan” (09:00–19:00, thru Oct 12)
Where: Place Saint-Jean de Malte. Why special: the blockbuster of Cézanne 2025—over 100 works tied to his family home. Pro tip: book off-peak (12:00–14:00 or after 16:00). (museegranet-aixenprovence.fr) -
Fondation Vasarely (10:00–18:00, Wed–Sun in Sept/Oct)
Where: 1 av. Marcel Pagnol (near 6MIC). Why special: giant op-art “cells” that make your retinas sing. Go: Bus A → Vasarely. (fondationvasarely.org) -
Camp des Milles Memorial — Free for Heritage Days (10:00–19:00, last entry 17:30, Sat–Sun)
Where: 40 chemin de la Badesse. Why special: powerful site & Joann Sfar exhibit; rare free-entry weekend. Go: From Rotonde, Bus 4 to Gare des Milles (Sun service via line 18); stops are a 2–3 min walk. (campdesmilles.org) -
Bonus “Surrounds” pick → Bol d’Or 24h (Thu–Sun, Circuit Paul Ricard, Le Castellet)
Why special: France’s legendary 24-hour motorcycle endurance race—day trip-able from Aix. Go: Typical route = TER to Marseille St-Charles → TER to St-Cyr–Les Lecques → local bus 888 to the circuit; driving is ~50–60 min. (Circuit Paul Ricard)
Getting Around (quick links)
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Aix bus network info & agency inside the Tourist Office. (Aix en Provence - Office de Tourisme)
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City Pass perks across museums/sites (and some discounts on tours). (Aix en Provence - Office de Tourisme)
Tiny Language Lifts (try these out while you’re out)
A1:
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At Richelme: « Un demi-kilo de tomates, s’il vous plaît. »
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At a venue door: « C’est l’entrée pour la visite guidée ? »
A2:
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Ask directions: « Excusez-moi, pour le Pavillon Noir, je descends à l’arrêt Cité du Livre ? »
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Buy tickets: « Il reste des places pour ce soir ? »
B1:
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Small talk in line: « C’est votre première fois aux Journées du Patrimoine ? Qu’est-ce que vous conseillez ? »
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Market compliment: « Votre fromage sent… euh… la campagne — dans le bon sens ! »
B2:
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At Granet: « J’ai lu que cette toile appartient à la National Gallery de Prague — fascinant de la voir ici. »
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At Camp des Milles: « La scénographie rend la mémoire très palpable, je trouve. »
Advanced:
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Compare sites: « Entre la monumentalité optique de Vasarely et l’intimité du Jas de Bouffan, on traverse deux esthétiques du regard. »
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Debate: « Le patrimoine n’est pas figé : l’ouvrir, c’est aussi l’interpréter aujourd’hui. »
“Why go?” at a glance
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Food & flowers every morning → Place Richelme. (Aix en Provence - Office de Tourisme)
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Art mega-show → Cézanne at Granet (book smart). (museegranet-aixenprovence.fr)
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Dance & behind-the-scenes → Pavillon Noir tours + studio open. (Preljocaj)
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Music → Free 6MIC focus tonight; Roller Disco on Sat 16:00. (6MIC)
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Memory & history → Camp des Milles free all weekend. (campdesmilles.org)
Your turn 👇
What are you doing first—market munching, Cézanne gazing, disco rolling, or heritage hop-scotching? Drop a quick note:
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a tip for buses (which stop actually worked for you?),
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your best stall at Richelme,
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or a mini-review of a tour you loved.
Be kind, be curious, and yes—correct my French if it makes you smile.