Rue d'Italie (Italy Street), Aix-en-Provence
Rue d'Italie (Italy Street) is one of the oldest streets in the city and one of the oldest urban streets in France. Named in honor of Emperor Napoleon Bonaparte's victorious campaigns in Italy, it was created by an extension of the ancient Roman street, Aurelia. The Aurelia street passed through the colony of the Baths of Sextius on its way between Rome and Spain. The territory was founded by the Roman consul Gaius Sextius Calvinus in the 2nd century BC.
In the Middle Ages, the street was the "Way of Saint Maximinus." As the Church of Saint John of Malta was on the road, it came to be called the "Way of Saint John." In 1540 a manor near the Church of St. John was demolished to erect fortifications. In 1671 a priory was built by Jean-Claude Viany, a chaplain of the order of Saint John of Jerusalem. In 1838 the priory became the Musee Granet.
Italy Street is in the old Mazarin district. The street is lined with simple townhouses, shops, and cafes. Have drinks at A Casa pub and bar or enjoy a meal at La Dolce Italia restaurant. The Musee Granet and its Cezanne collection are nearby. Italy Street is also one of the most commercial and tourist-friendly streets.
The narrow Italy Street houses several restaurants. The pavement is cobbled with colorful Provencal stones. Part of the church of Saint John of Malta faces the street. Need a break? Stop at the lunchtime-only restaurant "Between Noon and Two" (Entre Midi et Deux). Enjoy!
In the Middle Ages, the street was the "Way of Saint Maximinus." As the Church of Saint John of Malta was on the road, it came to be called the "Way of Saint John." In 1540 a manor near the Church of St. John was demolished to erect fortifications. In 1671 a priory was built by Jean-Claude Viany, a chaplain of the order of Saint John of Jerusalem. In 1838 the priory became the Musee Granet.
Italy Street is in the old Mazarin district. The street is lined with simple townhouses, shops, and cafes. Have drinks at A Casa pub and bar or enjoy a meal at La Dolce Italia restaurant. The Musee Granet and its Cezanne collection are nearby. Italy Street is also one of the most commercial and tourist-friendly streets.
The narrow Italy Street houses several restaurants. The pavement is cobbled with colorful Provencal stones. Part of the church of Saint John of Malta faces the street. Need a break? Stop at the lunchtime-only restaurant "Between Noon and Two" (Entre Midi et Deux). Enjoy!
Want to visit this sight? Check out these Self-Guided Walking Tours in Aix-en-Provence. Alternatively, you can download the mobile app "GPSmyCity: Walks in 1K+ Cities" from Apple App Store or Google Play Store. The app turns your mobile device to a personal tour guide and it works offline, so no data plan is needed when traveling abroad.
Rue d'Italie (Italy Street) on Map
Sight Name: Rue d'Italie (Italy Street)
Sight Location: Aix-en-Provence, France (See walking tours in Aix-en-Provence)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Sight Location: Aix-en-Provence, France (See walking tours in Aix-en-Provence)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Walking Tours in Aix-en-Provence, France
Create Your Own Walk in Aix-en-Provence
Creating your own self-guided walk in Aix-en-Provence is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.
In the Footsteps of Paul Cézanne
Paul Cezanne created a scandal. While staying at the home of Doctor Paul Gachet in Auvers-sur-Oise, he painted an homage to Edouard Manet's work, Olympia, based on Titian's Venus of Urbino. Titian painted a goddess. Manet painted a prostitute. In his "New Olympia," Cezanne painted himself in the painting.
The nude New Olympia, seemingly a muse, reclines on her couch.... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.0 Km or 1.9 Miles
The nude New Olympia, seemingly a muse, reclines on her couch.... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.0 Km or 1.9 Miles
Aix-en-Provence Fountains and Squares Tour
Aix-end-Provence is known for its fountains. With more than 1,000 fountains, a tourist could spend weeks walking around the city without glimpsing them all. The fountains began appearing under the Roman empire when the Romans discovered Aix's natural thermal water source. They referred to the area as Aquae Sextiae or the Waters of Sextius.
The fountains appear throughout the city and are... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.6 Km or 1 Miles
The fountains appear throughout the city and are... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.6 Km or 1 Miles
Aix-en-Provence Introduction Walking Tour
Aix-en-Provence is a city in southern France, about 30 km (or 20 mi) north of Marseille. Aix was founded by Roman Consul Sextius Calvinus in 123 BC. Calvinus called it Aquae Sextiae, which means "Waters of Sextius," after the warm springs in the area. During the Middle Ages, it was the capital of Provence.
Aix reached a high point after the 12th century as it began to emerge as a... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.7 Km or 1.1 Miles
Aix reached a high point after the 12th century as it began to emerge as a... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.7 Km or 1.1 Miles