Every September, France throws open doors that are usually closed: ministries, archives, private mansions, hidden courtyards, even backstage spaces. It’s called Journées européennes du patrimoine (European Heritage Days), and in 2025 it runs 20–21 September with the national theme “Patrimoine architectural” (Architectural Heritage)—a celebration of craft, engineering, and beauty in stone, wood, iron, and glass. (Ministère des Finances)
What makes it uniquely French? Access. You can tour places you’d never see otherwise—often free—with passionate guides who love explaining how things were made and why they matter. Even state institutions open their “backstage,” like the Archives départementales with guided tours through normally closed stacks and conservation rooms. (monuments-nationaux.fr)
Why it’s truly special in Aix this year
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Cézanne takes center stage (Cezanne 2025). Aix is celebrating its most famous son with exhibitions and freshly restored sites. The Atelier des Lauves has reopened, and the painter’s family home, the Bastide du Jas de Bouffan, is welcoming visitors after major restoration—perfectly aligned with this year’s architecture theme. Some visits require booking via the Tourist Office. (cezanne-en-provence.com)
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Bastides & baroque gems. Expect special entry to bastides (country villas) and elegant hôtels particuliers in the old town—Aix’s signature mix of golden stone facades, sculpted doors, and fountain-filled squares. Local programming highlights bastides this year, especially Jas de Bouffan. (Aix en Provence - Office de Tourisme)
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Walks in Cézanne’s footsteps. The city’s program features walks, talks, and even playful Cézanne–Zola “verbal jousts” that bring art history onto Aix’s streets—very Aixois in spirit, intimate and literary. (Mairie d'Aix-en-Provence)
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Museums in conversation with the city. Musée Granet and the Pavillon de Vendôme often extend hours, host free talks, or open rarely seen rooms—letting you connect museum collections to the very architecture outside their doors. (Aix en Provence - Office de Tourisme)
Quick tips for foreigners
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Check the official program and filter by city (“Aix-en-Provence”) and language; popular time slots fill up fast. (Journées du Patrimoine)
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Reserve when required. High-demand sites (notably Jas de Bouffan) are reservation-only via the Tourist Office—no tickets at the gate.
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Arrive early, greet warmly. A friendly “Bonjour” at the door goes a long way; some sites have security checks or limited capacity.
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Wear comfy shoes & bring water. You’ll be on cobblestones and climbing historic staircases between squares and fountains.
If you see just a few things: pair Musée Granet with a courtyard/open-house nearby, stroll to Place de l’Hôtel de Ville to soak up the atmosphere, then head to a bastide visit to feel how Aix’s architecture breathes beyond the old town.
Have fun—this is the weekend when Aix lets you peek behind its beautiful doors.