Winter walking tours of Aix-en-Provence are super fun. I took this picture of a frozen Fontaine de la Rotonde a few years ago. Normally it doesn’t get this cold, but temperatures had fallen into minus Celsius range for several weeks in a row, causing the normally cascading water display of the city’s most recognizable fountain to become a decorative ice cube. Many people may not realize that although the Provence region is known for its warm Mediterranean climate, it can get downright chilly in the winter time, especially when the mistral winds are passing through the area.
Aix-en-Provence enjoys plenty of sunshine, so even when it’s cold, the crisp azure sky and Montagne Sainte-Victoire on the horizon collide for a stunning backdrop for sightseeing. The local Aix markets are smaller and more intimate than in the summer high-season, making it easier to strike up a conversation with one of the personable vendors. Most speak at least some English and are eager to answer any questions you may have. Outdoor cafés install heating lamps to gently warm their patrons seated outdoors as they engage in the most French of all French pastimes: people watching while sipping an espresso or verre du vin along the rue and chemin.
Wintertime is also a slower season for tourism, providing those visitors that do travel with a more authentic perspective of how the residents of Aix-en-Provence live in their day-to-day lives. And off-season rates can make staying at a hotel, chambre d’hôte, or Airbnb in the city a better value. I feel like each season in Aix is wonderful in its own unique way, and winter certainly has an ambiance to its own.
The Wonder of Winter Walking Tours
I love guiding winter walking tours and feeling the brisk air on my face as the city buzzes with activity around me. If visiting the South of France is on your wish list, I’d enjoy showing you my adopted home. Unsure what to bring? Check out my France travel guide with helpful trip planning and packing suggestions.