Car Hire in Aix-en-Provence

About Aix-en-Provence

Aix-en-Provence is a city and commune in the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region of southern France. It is a city with a very long and rich history. It was founded in 123 BC by the Romans. Many different cultures, religions, and nationalities have shaped the city in the past. But Aix-en-Provence has always been an intellectual and artistic centre in this region. The city was also important because it is located at the crossroads of the main routes to Italy and the Alps.

Today, Aix-en-Provence is one of the most popular cities with tourists from all over the world. With its great museums, charming architecture, great history, delicious food, and friendly people, it is undoubtedly a destination you should visit. If you are taking a road trip through Provence, be sure to visit this former capital of the region.

Thanks to the excellent climatic conditions, you can visit Aix-en-Province all year round. You can discover beautiful streets with balconies and windows on the houses, which are full of colourful flowers and provide a picturesque backdrop. On top of that, these flowers also smell lovely and you can feel that as you walk through the streets. There are also many charming squares with beautiful fountains throughout the old town. And with such a long and exciting history, every square and building brings something from the past, which adds to the great spirit of this city.

The streets here are always alive and you are sure to enjoy exploring this city, as there's something for everyone here. Great historical sights, museums, galleries, the countryside around the city, great restaurants and much more.

Basic info and car hire in Aix-en-Provence

• Location:  Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region, France
• Population: 143,097
• Official language: French
• Currency: Euro
• Weather:   Aix-en-Provence has a Mediterranean climate.
• Holidays in Aix-en-Provence:   For public holidays in France follow this link
• Internet coverage: Hotels, bars, restaurants, and cafés offer Wi-Fi.
• Road conditions:  Most roads in Aix-en-Provence are in good condition.
• Car hire in Aix-en-Provence:  The most common pick-up point for vehicles in Aix-en-Provence is at Aix-en-Provence La Pioline, Aix-en-Provence Downtown, and Provence TGV Railway Station. Please note that prices vary frequently. It is best to book a car 3 to 8 weeks in advance of your desired pick-up date - this will ensure you get the cheapest rental rate. Alternatively, it is also possible to find cheap last-minute car hire. Find the best deal on car hire in Aix-en-Provence!

 Driving in Aix-en-Provence

Traffic in Aix-en-Provence is much easier than in larger French cities. There might be a bit more traffic in high season, but if you come to Aix-en-Provence by car, you can also leave your car at the entrance of the city in "park-and-ride" lots and use the shuttle that runs every 15 minutes to the city centre. If you have decided to explore the city by car, you should note that there are many one-way streets, especially in the old town, and that there are also many pedestrian streets.

Here in Provence, there are many places that you cannot reach by public transport. Therefore, it is best to rent a car. Around Aix-en-Provence, there are so many beautiful villages and such breathtaking scenery that you will simply fall in love with it as you drive around.

You have to pay special attention to the cyclists in Provence. There are a lot of them on the road, from locals to professional cyclists who train here on these beautiful roads. So, be extra careful when you are out and about here and watch out for the cyclists. Otherwise, this is one of the best places for anyone who enjoys driving. The roads are in great condition, the views are breathtaking, and there is plenty to see and do. Buckle up and drive safely.

• Age limits: The minimum age to drive a car in France is 18 years.
• International Driving Permit:  Yes, if you are a non-EU license holder.
• Additional papers:   Identification(passports for all people in the car), the car's registration certificate, and your M.O.T. certificate (for cars over three years old, proving the vehicle meets environmental and road safety standards), a valid driving license, and valid proof of insurance. (It is advisable to buy insurance at the car hire agency in case your policy doesn't cover you while driving in France)
• Additional requirements:  High-visibility, reflective vest for every person in the car, Warning triangle, Full set of replacement bulbs for head and taillights, Spare pair of glasses, Headlight converters (required if driving from, "Crit'Air" badge (required in central Paris), Breathalyzer.
• Children in the car:  Children under 13 must be in car seats or wearing seat belts appropriate for their age and height. Babies and infants about a year old or under should always be positioned in rear-facing car seats.
• Driving side of the road: Right
• Lights:  Check that all lights are working, clean, and correctly aimed.
• General speed limits: There is a variable maximum speed on French roads, depending on weather conditions. In dry weather, 2- or 3-lane rural roads are limited to 80 km/h, 4-lane expressways (in rural areas) are limited to 110 km/h, and motorways (in rural areas if classified as highways) are limited to 130 km/h. In rainy conditions, the limits are lowered to 80, 100, and 110 km/h respectively. The 50 km/h speed limit in cities is independent of weather conditions. The general speed limit is reduced to 50 km/h on all roads in fog or other poor visibility conditions when visibility is less than 50 meters.
• Parking suggestions: In the city area, you must pay for all street parking from Monday through Saturday from 9:00 am-8:00 pm, and you pay per hour. Parking is free on Sundays and holidays. Generally, you can park for up to 6 hours at a time if you do not have a resident's permit, and up to a week at a time with a permit.

What to see in Aix-en-Provence

Musée Granet

This small but rich museum was founded in 1838 and has a collection of works by classical and modern artists from around the world. You can see paintings by Paul Cézanne and Pablo Picasso, among others.

Le Cours Mirabeau

This charming boulevard is a must-see in Aix-en-Provence. The boulevard is full of trees that form a tunnel with their treetops, which gives it a special look. In the evenings, this is a very lively place with many bars and cafes open late into the night. If you are looking for fun in the city, you will find it here. During the day you can visit a market or just stroll along the boulevard and have a coffee in one of the cafes.

Cathédrale Saint-Sauveur d'Aix-en-Provence

This cathedral is built in Gothic and neo-Gothic style. It has a beautiful interior with some great artwork on the walls. It is exceptional from the inside as well as the outside. You can visit it every day of the week and the entrance is free.

Atelier Cézanne

This famous painter lived and worked here and today you can visit the studio where many of his famous works were painted. Cézanne is an artist of great importance to France and Provence in particular. His paintings of the beautiful landscapes of Provence have made this country known throughout the world.

Best restaurants in Aix-en-Provence:

Tita

Delices De Capoue

NIRO by Le gambetta

Chez Bodus Le Garcon Boucher

Le Mome

Les petits plats de Trinidad