It’s Journées Européennes du Patrimoine weekend (Fri–Sun, 19–21 Sept) with tons of free/open-door visits around Aix and Marseille. Theme this year: patrimoine architectural—aka “let’s legally snoop inside beautiful buildings.” Here’s the best-of with today/tonight picks and weekend options, plus how to get there.
🎨 Aix centre-ville (à pied, tout simple)
Hôtel de Caumont — “Secrets dévoilés” (guided visit)
Sat & Sun 09:30–10:30, €7 (visit of historic salons; exhibition not included). Booking recommended. 3 rue Joseph-Cabassol (2 min from Cours Mirabeau). Why go: rare peek behind the velvet rope. (Aix en Provence - Office de Tourisme)
Musée Granet — special animations
Sat from 10:00 at Granet; Sun 15:00 & 17:00 at Collège Mignet (free there, Granet animation after paid entry). Why go: art + architecture double bill, Cézanne-year goodies. (Aix en Provence - Office de Tourisme)
Pavillon de Vendôme — free entry
Sat & Sun 10:00–18:00, gardens + museum open. Super photogenic. 13 rue de la Molle (10 min walk from Rotonde). (Mairie d'Aix-en-Provence)
🧡 Cézanne focus: bastides & ateliers
Bastide du Jas de Bouffan (Cézanne’s family home)
Open daily in 2025; this weekend fits the city’s “bastides” focus. Expect high demand—reserve if you can. 4 rue de Valcros. Bus: city buses serve “Stade Ouest / Marcel Pagnol” area (Moovit lists 08 / 220 etc.). Why go: walk where Cézanne painted and sulked (artistically). (Aix en Provence - Office de Tourisme)
Atelier des Lauves (Cézanne’s studio)
Uphill but iconic. Bus: lines stopping “Atelier Cézanne” (Moovit shows 05, 10, 12, 16). Pro tip: go early, tiny capacity. (Cezanne 2025)
🏛️ Rarely-open / special sites
CREPS Aix (remarkable contemporary architecture)
Today (Sat) 09:00–12:00 only. 62 chemin du Viaduc (Pont de l’Arc). Walk: 10–15 min from stops Krypton / Pont de l’Arc (Moovit). Why go: sports campus you never see inside. (Journées du Patrimoine)
Camp des Milles — memorial at the former tile factory
Heritage-weekend programming at the national memorial site. Bus: from Aix Rotonde take line 4 to Gare des Milles, then short walk. Weighty and important. (Journées du Patrimoine)
🌉 Quick escape: Ventabren & the Roquefavour aqueduct
Ventabren Heritage Day (Sun): guided village walks, craft demos, museum visit; and the awe-sized Roquefavour aqueduct (83 m high!). Why go: Rome-level arches, Provence light. (Check local program for times.) (frequence-sud.fr)
🌊 Marseille bonus (easy from Aix)
All Marseille City Museums — free all weekend
From the Vieille Charité to MAAOA, permanent & temporary exhibitions free. Why go: world-class collections for €0. (Ville de Marseille)
Palais de la Bourse — open doors
Sat & Sun 10:00–17:00. Grand 19th-c. chambers on La Canebière. Why go: marble, commerce, history. (CCI Aix-Marseille-Provence)
Citadelle de Marseille (Fort d’Entrecasteaux)
Sat: “patrimoine réinventé,” artists in residence; evening open-air cinema. Why go: fortress vibes + a film under the stars. (La Citadelle de Marseille)
Getting there from Aix: le Car L50 direct bus Gare Routière (Aix) ⇄ Marseille St-Charles ~every 15–20 min; ~30–35 min ride. Trains also run hourly. (itineraires-zou.maregionsud.fr)
🗺️ Quick planner (save this)
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Today morning: Caumont 09:30; then Granet from 10:00.
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Today midday: Jas de Bouffan (pre-book if possible).
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Today afternoon: Pavillon de Vendôme (free).
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Tonight (option): Hop to Marseille for museum late visits / Citadelle open-air cinema. (La Citadelle de Marseille)
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Sunday: Ventabren village + Roquefavour, or Collège Mignet free events (15:00 & 17:00). (Aix en Provence - Office de Tourisme)
🚍 How to get there (Aix tips you’ll actually use)
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Camp des Milles: Bus 4 from Rotonde → Gare des Milles, walk 2–3 min. (Camp des Milles)
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CREPS (Pont de l’Arc): Walk from Krypton / Pont de l’Arc stops (5–10 min). (Moovit)
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Atelier Cézanne: Stops “Atelier Cézanne / Auriol” (Moovit shows 05/10/12/16). It’s uphill—hydrate. (Moovit)
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Jas de Bouffan: Stops Stade Ouest / Marcel Pagnol (Moovit shows 08/220). (Moovit)
🎧 Mini language goals while you wander
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A1: Learn 6 words you’ll see today: bastide, façade, voûte, escalier, tuilerie, aqueduc. Say “Entrée libre ?” (Is it free entry?).
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A2: Ask a docent: “À quelle heure commence la visite guidée ?” Then confirm: “Sans réservation ?”
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B1: Small talk line for queues: “C’est votre première fois ici pour les Journées du Patrimoine ?”
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B2: Try a mini summary aloud after each visit: “Ce qui m’a frappé, c’est…”
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C1/C2: Ask about restoration: “Quelles contraintes avez-vous rencontrées lors de la restauration de la façade/charpente ?” (Then nod like an expert.)
Why this weekend is special
Nationwide open-door days mean places that are usually closed swing open for one weekend—and many are free. This year’s angle puts a spotlight on buildings themselves, from bastides to brick factories to that aqueduct you’ve seen on Instagram. (Journées du Patrimoine)
Your turn!
What did you love (or hilariously misunderstand) today—Caumont’s chandeliers? The bus to the wrong bastide? Drop a quick line below: Which site would you recommend to a first-timer tomorrow—and why? Short, long, franglais welcome. If you only post “Aqueduc 😍,” we’ll still high-five you.