Aix-en-Provence - Cours Mirabeau

The broad Cours Mirabeau, laid out in 1651, borders the Old Town of Aix-en-Provence in the south, separating it from the newer parts. This idyllic shady promenade is planted with old plane trees (which, however, are regularly and heavily pruned); in the middle of the roadway stand three beautiful fountains, the center one of which, the "Fontaine Chaude", is fed with warm spring water, and in the Place du Général de Gaulle, which forms the western boundary of the line of streets, stands the great Fontaine de la Rotonde. There are several impressive buildings in the street, among them the Hôtel des Villiers (No. 2; 1710), the Hôtel d'Isouard de Vauvenargues (No. 10; 1710), the Hôtel d'Arbod Jouques (No. 19; early 18th C.), the Hôtel de Forbin (No. 20; 1656) and the Hôtel de Maurel de Pontèves (No. 38; 1647-50; now the offices of the Principal of the University). At the east end of the Cours Mirabeau stands the Fontaine du Roi René, the work of David d'Angers (19th C.) and the Chapelle des Oblats, part of the Carmelite Monastery designed by a pupil of Puget and restored about 1700. The "Deux Garçons" cafe dates from the 18th C.

North of the Cours Mirabeau the Old Town extends as far as the Hôtel de Ville (Town Hall) and is largely a pedestrian precinct.