Aix-en-Provence - Quartier Mazarin

In the years 1646-53, at the suggestion of Michel Mazarin, archbishop of Aix and brother of the famous cardinal and politician, the Quarter named after him and the broad street known as cours Mirabeau were laid out, necessitating the demolition of part of the town walls. The rectangular area is characteristic of 17th C. town planning; it is bounded on the south by the boulevard du Roi René and the boulevard Carnot, part of which follows the line of the Old Town Walls. The center of the area is formed by the Place des Quatre Dauphins, with the 1667 fountain of the same name which is adorned with sculptures of four dolphins.