Eurostar to Aix en Provence

If you are looking for an off-the-beaten-track week away, you might like to try a visit to Aix-en-Provence, especially if you are interested in art. Aix-en-Provence is known to the locals as the city of art, mainly due to the abundance of art schools and universities there. Being a 'student' town, there are a wide variety of interesting people there, which gives this beautiful old city an exciting atmosphere.

About Aix-en-Provence

Aix-en-Provence is a gorgeous city, so if it's picturesque you're after, then look no further. On the Central cours Mirabeau, you'll find tree-lined avenues, with fountains, cafes, and shops in abundance. If it's history you're looking for, you can visit the Cathédrale St Saveur, the city's fabulously gothic cathedral, or take a stroll around the Mazarin Quarter, which dates back to the seventeenth century. When you're there, take some time out to relax by the Fontaine des Quatre Dauphins, which dates back to the baroque era. Or you could visit Aix-en-Provence's largest fountain, the Fontaine de la Rotonde. It is cast iron, and rather imposing!

It's also a place to rest and rejuvenate: Roman baths were built in Aix-en-Provence in 122 BC, but you can visit a more up-to-date spa during your stay. The Thermes Sextius Hydrotherapy Complex, just next door to the ruins, is a wonderful place to spend an afternoon getting facials and mud cures.

Aix-en-Provence is also a haven for market lovers. On the place des Prêcheurs and place de la Madeleine, which are the main squares in the city, you'll find market stalls overflowing with pungent flowers and ripe fruits and cheeses.

Once you're there, you don't just have to stay in the city. Venture a little further afield, and you'll find Marseille just out of town. Or if you're desperate for a bit of beach time, Cassis is a lovely resort not too far away where you can top up your tan!

Aix-en-Provence by Eurostar Trains

If we've convinced that Aix-en-Provence is the right destination for you, it's easy to book rail tickets and travel there by train with one of the Eurostar's connection services. This means you'll have to change trains at some point. Eurostar trains depart from St Pancras International, a very easy-to-get-to destination in London. With speeds of 186 miles per hour, it's an easy journey. Your simplest option of connection serivces after getting on the train at London will be Lille. Once there, simply change platforms and take one of the TGV trains down to Aix-en-Provence. This option will take around six hours and thirty minutes.

And if you're travelling from Ebbsfleet International rather than St Pancras international, take ten minutes off the journey (Ebbsfleet International is well worth a look purely for the architecture. The structure is an imposing steel and glass building. It can be found just off Junction 2 of the M25).

Visit the official Eurostar web site to book your train tickets to Aix-en-Provence.