Iwan2go

We went to Provence in 1999, and never saw any more of Aix than a few streets because we could not find a parking place and my husband said, forget this, we're outta here.

Now we're thinking of a trip in late April, and really want to see Aix! We would be driving in from a small town near Lourmarin, probably on a Friday or a Saturday.

Are there any lots that are easier to get into - and I mean, available open spaces as well as not-too-tight? Even if we need to park a little out of the way?

Or should we park somewhere else and take a train into town? Any ideas?

Thank you!

adrienne

There's a parking deck on the north side of the old part of Aix. I don't remember the street but you should be able to find it. It's just off the one way road that circles the old part and would be on the side opposite Cours Mirabeau. There are probably other parking areas but this is the parking deck I used. I also remember getting free parking one day on one of the side streets near this parking deck.

caroltis

We too parked in a garage that I believe was very close to the Tourist Information Center at the fountain end of Cours Mirabeau. I think I also remember having a bit of confusion about getting the parking ticket and then having to use it to validate upon our departure. We had to press button to get someone to come assist us. One of those stressful moments you try to avoid! So, I would just say when you park in the garage - be certain that you understand the directions when you purchase your parking ticket from the machine.

DAX

There are a number of public parking buildings just south of Cours Mirabeau (but north of Blvd de Roi Rene), just follow the public parking signs from Cours Mirabeau. If I remember correctly we parked in the modern parking building on Avenue Frederic Mistral.

Iwan2go

Thank you for the info! Do you think we'll have any easier time because it will be in late April?

DAX

April should be easier than summertime. Aix actually looks better when it's alive with tourists. The last time we were there all the shops & restaurants inside the alleys were closed and Aix looked so dead & dirty.

Surfergirl

We found a great spot in front of the local Baskin Robbins when we were there last, but the garage near the tourist info centre is your best bet.

I only mention the Baskin Robbins because for some reason, wherever I travel in the world, my car always seems to navigate directly to it and there's always a spot in front of it. Very spiritual.

Ackislander

Watch for lighted parking signs -- black with green letters. They will tell you which parking garages have space. They are common all over France. The one I personally remember was on the Blvd Roi Rene near the Avenue Victor Hugo end, though there are doubless others, most likely near the Place Charles DeGaulle.

TDudette

Hi Iwan2go, We just came back from Aix. We stayed at Aquabella Hotel and there is a lot very close by. Look on a map for the hotel. It's off the big one-way road which rings the city.
We didn't drive so didn't pay close attention to the details. Check with that hotel-they might even offer free parking if you stay there. They have a pool gently warmed by hot springs-excellent end to a long day! Poolside restaurant also a big plus. An easy walk to sights.
You did say not out of the way, but there is a row of restuarants on the street just north of Hotel de Ville with an underground parking garage. We happened to be eating dinner when a car negotiated one-way streets filled with folks to enter it. We both wondered how in the heck he found the place!
Please say how you liked Aix and good luck!

Images2

We were in Aix 2 weeks ago and found that there is a very large, easily accessed parking garage right by the big fountain Stu talks about in his document. There is a change on how you access it though. I'm writing a trip report and here's the bit about parking in Aix:

I used Stu’s parking directions when we arrived. Exit A8 at Exit 30. I printed out directions from ViaMichelin.com to help with the traffic circles. This helped alot. The parking garage is now accessed on the right side of the road, before you reach the huge fountain. It’s very easy to enter and has 900 spaces. No need to circle the fountain and head back the opposite direction. If you do this, you won’t find a parking garage at all. We arrived in Aix at 9:45 and had no problem with traffic.

This is from Stu's document:

Parking is difficult in Aix. I always park in the same spot and I usually get there ASAP in the AM. Arriving from Nice, get off the A8 at Pont-de-l’Arc – I think the exit sign says “Pigonnet”. Follow this road into Aix. Look at the map in the green or red guide & you will see parking at the Pl Gl de Gaulle (next to post office on the map), although getting to the lot is a little tricky. As you approach on the Av des Belges, you will see the post office on the left and a carrousel next to the post office – however you can’t turn left there. There is a huge water fountain in front of you. Go around the fountain & go back in the opposite direction on Av des Belges and turn right just past the post office. Now you can turn right again into the parking lot. Pick up a ticket as you enter & keep it with you so you can pay at the automated machine before you leave. You might drop some bread crumbs as you follow the signs into the parking lot, because exiting it and getting on the correct road is a little more difficult. The main thing to remember when exiting is to not take the road that goes through a tunnel under a building – take the road farther to the left, (you will have to maneuver around some confusing islands). When we were in Aix in early June of ’03, the parking garages were “complet” by 10:30. Getting back on the A8 is easy.

As long as you bring your parking ticket with you, when you leave your car, and pay in the cash machine before returning to your car, you'll have no problem leaving the parking garage. Have a great trip!

caroltis

Aha! Stu is exactly right about the automated ticket...I think where we went wrong, we kept the ticket and expected to pay on our way out of the garage, however at the exit you are supposed to validate that the ticket has already been paid for. Thanks for the reminder - we're returning in a few weeks and I don't want to repeat the same mistake!

kevin_widrow

If you are coming from Lourmarin (or points north) you can take the road via Rognes and then when you get on the D7, look for signs at the second rondabout pointing you towards the "Parking Haute de Brunet" - just keep following the signs and you will get to a very large outdoor lot where there are always lots of spots. It's in the hills above Aix (on the north side of town) not far from Cezanne's studio. There are shuttle buses every ten minutes or so to take you from there to the Cours Mirabeau.

This has the advantage of keeping you well away from downtown traffic and it only costs 2 euros for the whole day with a free all day bus pass thrown in for good measure.

It's what I usually do unless I have errands to run in town which require a car.

-Kevin

Iwan2go

Wow! This info should be invaluable for anyone trying to park in Aix. Thanks so much to all of you.

Now I just hope that we get to go. I'm not certain. If we do, I'll write up a big trip report.

Thanks again to everyone.