Aix-en-Provence Festival

France’s best-curated classical and opera festival, Aix is the summer destination for discerning music-lovers, with world-class performers and artists filling the elegant city. The festival was born in 1948 out of the founder Gabriel Dussurget’s love for Mozart – that first year focused on Cosí Fan Tutte, and in 1949 an adaptation of Don Giovanni brought the Aix Festival onto the world stage. Mozart remains at the heart of the event, while there have also been new productions of Verdi, Bartók, Purcell, Prokofiev, Britten and Janácek, to name just a few. The concerts are held in five of the grandest and finest music venues in Europe – the most famous of which is the romantic open-air Théâtre de l’Archevêché, framed by mediaeval arches in a palace courtyard. Culture flows through Aix like water: by day, you can wander its small-scale museums, golden churches and sunny squares; by night, whatever you choose to hear is guaranteed to be exceptional.

Highlights

As the night cools and the light fades, when the orchestra strikes up the opening notes of The Marriage of Figaro in the pit of the atmospheric alfresco Théâtre de l’Archevêché, there’s no better place to be on earth.

Aix-en-Provence Festival Highlight Image

In The Know

Head Count

More than 50, 000 tickets are sold.

Meeting Point

Cours Mirabeau has cafés and patisseries lining its north side. A good point de repère is the Fontaine de la Rotonde at its west end, in Place du Général de Gaulle.

Best View

Make a beeline for a seat in middle of the curvaceous stalls in the new Grand Théâtre de Provence; a red velvet box in the Théâtre du Jeu de Paume; and front row of the balcony at the Théâtre de l’Archevêché.

Packing Tips

Take cushions and a rug for the Théâtre du Grand Saint Jean, and a jumper or jacket for later on at any of the outdoor venues – three of the five theatres staging festival events are open-air, and you don’t want to be cold. Crumpled linen and a straw hat’ll get you through, sartorially.

Escape

Silence reigns at L’Abbaye de Silvacane near the village of La Roque-d’Anthéron, a 25km bus ride from Aix. Within the city, explore the little streets and squares off the stately main drag of Cours Mirabeau.

Dos and don'ts

• Book in advance for some key performances – appearances by celebrity musicians sell out first, naturally – but play it by ear a little with the minor stuff.
• Don’t restrict yourself: there’s much more than Mozart and big names on the programme, so get experimental.
• Take time to get to know Aix – there’s a great café culture here, and the market is wonderful.
• Make the most of the free lectures and pre-concert talks that take place; see the website for details: www.aix-festival.com.

Need To Know

Children

Very young babies are a no-no, but kids of a reasonable age are welcome.

Parking

There are le parkings near all the venues.

Disability Access

All theatre venues in France have disability access by law. Mention any mobility issues when you book, and specific seating will be arranged.

Food & Drink

At the open-air Théâtre du Grand Saint Jean, you can order a tray of food when you book your ticket. For post-performance dining, Antoine Côté Cour on Cours Mirabeau (+33 (0)4 42 93 12 51) is a noisy, trendy Italian. Le Zinc d’Hugo on Rue Lieutaud (+33 (0)4 42 27 69 69) is a newish bistro serving modern Provençal, with a well-priced menu and a sweet interior. La Charlotte, on Rue des Bernardines (+33 (0)4 42 26 77 56), is a festival favourite, open late and reasonably priced. Cours Mirabeau is the location for a number of classic cafés: the most celebrated is the Brasserie des Deux Garçons, at number 53 (+33 (0)4 42 26 00 51), which has a listed interior and specialises in seafood, though it is favoured by locals as a spot for a drink on the terrace. For a lunch stop, try Le Grillon at number 49. Café de Paris, at number 41, is perfect for afternoon tea.

Sleep

There are some much-loved Smith hotels in this wonderful region, all within reach of Aix: investigate L’Hôtel Particulier in nearby Arles, L’Oustau de Baumanière in Les Baux or Jardins Secrets in Nîmes at www.mrandmrssmith. com. You can book online or by ringing 0845 034 0701.

VIP

Not applicable at this event.