Parc Jourdan (Jourdan Park), Aix-en-Provence

Parc Jourdan was created in the early 20th century on former Gavoty and Blachet land. The project was approved in 1926, with the land acquired under Mayor Joseph Jourdan, and the park named after him in 1935. Landscaping began in 1932, designed as a public green space for walking, leisure, and daily use.

The park is arranged on two levels with distinct styles. The lower section has a formal layout with straight paths and an alley of lime trees leading to a rectangular water feature. The upper section is more open, with lawns and scattered trees. A wide double staircase links the two areas, and a traditional building called “L’Oustaou de Provenco” stands in the upper part. Nearby, a bust of the poet Frédéric Mistral highlights the park’s link to regional culture and identity.

Today, the park is closely linked to student life, as it lies just behind the university’s law faculty. It is used for everyday activities such as walking, reading, picnics, and games like pétanque, with a dedicated boulodrome on site. It also hosts events, including the Rencontres Économiques, when large temporary stages and pavilions are set up to welcome international speakers and visitors. Its mix of structured and open spaces allows it to function both as a place for rest and as a setting for social and cultural activity.