Car Rental in Aix En Provence

Why rent a car in Aix En Provence?

A beautiful city in the heart of the historic Provence region, Aix-en-Provence is a great travel destination. Known simply as Aix among locals, it is smaller and more compact than nearby Marseille and Nice. It more than makes up for its size with well-preserved architecture, countless fountains, and museums dedicated to the world-famous artists who hailed from the city. Aix is also near natural attractions like the Verdon Gorge and the Mediterranean coast, so there’s also plenty to explore outside of the city’s borders. 

Top ways to enter Aix En Provence

• By rail: If arriving in Aix-en-Provence by train, you can pick up your rental car at the Aix-en-Provence TGV high-speed railway station. The train station is located 17km (10.5 miles) southwest of Aix-en-Provence city center and can be reached in about 25 minutes by car. It should not be confused with the Gare d'Aix-en-Provence railway station which is located inside the city.

• Marseille Provence Airport: Primarily serving Marseille, but located just 28km (17.4 miles) southwest of Aix-en-Provence, flying into this airport is the best way to reach the city. The airport handled 10.1 million travelers in 2019, making it the fifth-busiest in the country. Served by more than 35 airlines, it is a focus city for a number of low-cost carriers like Ryanair, Vueling, and Volotea.

• Toulon Airport: Also known as Toulon–Hyères, this small airport is especially active during the summer months when it hosts flights by five different airlines. During the winter months, it only provides connections to Paris, but the number of destinations expands in April to include Brest and Nantes in France, as well as Charleroi in Belgium, and Luxembourg. Located 105 km (65 miles) southeast of Aix-en-Provence, Toulon Airport can be reached in 1 hour and 20 minutes.

• Montpellier Airport: Serving the large city of the same name, in 2019 Montpellier–Méditerranée served almost two million travelers for the first time in its history. A focus city for Volotea and easyJet, the airport has flights by around 15 different airlines. Located 155 km (96 miles) west of Aix, Montpellier Airport can be reached in 1 hour and 40 minutes.

• Nice Airport: The third-busiest in France (and busiest outside of Paris), Nice Côte d'Azur Airport handled 14.4 million passengers  in 2019. The airport is a hub for Air France, easyJet, and Volotea. In addition to many European connections, the airport also hosts flights to and from the Middle East, North America, Africa, and East Asia. Nice Airport serves not only the French Riviera, but also the nearby Principality of Monaco. Located 168 km (104 miles) east of Aix-en-Provence, the airport can be reached in about 1 hour and 45 minutes.

• Beziers Cap d’Agde Airport: Another small international airport on the Mediterranean coast, Beziers-Cap d’Agde provides flights to and from Paris, Belgium, the United Kingdom, Germany, and Sweden. Located 220km (138 miles) west of Aix, the airport can be reached in about 2 hours and 15 minutes.

City facts

• Located near the Mediterranean Coast, Aix-en-Provence has a typically mild climate with hot summers and cool but sunny winters. The average high temperature is 30°C  (86 °F) in July, the warmest month, and 10°C  (50°F) in January, the coldest. The city has an average of 300 days of sunshine per year. Precipitation is low in early-mid summer but picks up in September and continues through Autumn. 
• Settled as Aquae Sextiae in 123 BC by the Romans, Aix-en-Provence was later invaded and ruled by Visigoths, Lombards, Muslim Saracens, and Norman Vikings. The city grew in stature during the Middle Ages and became a part of the French Crown in the late 15th century, even serving as the capital of Provence until the revolution in the 18th century.

Top sights and activities

• Granet Museum. Aix-en-Provence’s oldest museum, Musée Granet hosts the works of many world-famous painters like Picasso, Van Gogh, Alberto Giacometti, and Cezanne. The latter artist was from Aix-en-Provence itself, and there’s a special section dedicated to his life and works. In addition to paintings, the museum also hosts many beautiful sculptures and an archaeological section dedicated to the history of the city.

• Aix Cathedral. Built on the site of an old Roman temple, the Cathédrale Saint-Sauveur d’Aix-en-Provence was first constructed in the 12th century, but the building (and renovation) of it continued for the next 700 years. Consequently, the church we see today is a unique mix of Gothic, Romanesque, and Baroque; even ancient Roman columns and parts of an older 6th-century church are incorporated in the cathedral complex. 

• Cours Mirabeau. A wide street in the very heart of the city, Cours Mirabeau is perhaps Aix’s most famous attraction. The location of many cafeterias and restaurants, the street is also surrounded by a number of fountains; the most famous, La Rotonde, is the symbol of the city and can be seen on many postcards. Cours Mirabeau is also the location for the most famous market in Aix-en-Provence. Taking place every Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday, you can shop for everything from locally made soaps, to linens, to summery straw hats.

• Church of St. John of Malta. Known in French as Saint-Jean-de-Malte, it dates back to the 1270s and was the first Gothic church in this part of the country. The church is known for its stained-glass windows, as well as a large number of religious paintings, most of which date back to the 17th century.

• The Old Town. The historic center of Aix-en-Provence is a charming place to wander the cobblestone streets, seek out a few of the city’s most famous fountains, and pick out a souvenir from a delightful boutique. When you’ve tired of walking, it’s also where you’ll find a multitude of leafy squares lined with terrace tables to sit and take in your surroundings.

• Try a calisson. Dating back to 1870, Maison Béchard has been serving sweets and pastries for over a century. It's the perfect place to pick up a box of the local delicacy - calissons. Made from a marzipan-like mixture of ground almonds and candied melon, they have a delicate taste that will keep you coming back for more.

Traffic and parking

• The speed limit in cities is 50 km/h, although in certain areas, the speed limit may be reduced to 30 km/h. Unlike inter-city roads, the urban speed limit is unaffected by weather.

• Outside cities, the speed limit depends on the type of road. Toll Motorways are limited to 130 km/h, 4-lane expressways to 110km/h, and two or three-lane roads to 80km/h (except in some circumstances where they are marked with the 90 km/h sign). When it is raining, the limits are respectively lowered to 110km/h and 100 km/h on the motorways and expressways, although the 80km/h on 2-3 lane roads is unaffected. The general speed limit is lowered to 50 km/h during periods of heavy fog or other times of impaired visibility.

• Proof of insurance and the car’s documentation needs to be in the car whenever you’re driving.

• When you are driving, you need to have your passport or ID card with you at all times.

• As of 2019, hands-free mobile phone use is banned in France, and the fines are hefty.

• The legal alcohol limit is 0.5mg/ml of alcohol per liter of blood for experienced drivers and 0.2mg/ml for novice drivers.

• The emergency number is 112.

Toll roads

Most of the main highways in France (autoroute in French) are toll roads. Their names start with the letter A, and you can recognize them by their red number sign. The toll depends on the specific route, distance traveled, as well as the type of vehicle - caravans have to pay more than regular cars. You can pay by credit card or in cash, but you’ll need to be aware of which lanes accept which modes of payment. Lanes that accept any form of payment will have a green arrow, card-only lanes will be marked with a credit card symbol, and cash-only lanes will have bills and coins.

You’ll be given a ticket that you have to keep while on the toll road.

Some rental cars are equipped with transponders that can be used at the automatic toll booths (Télépéage). Ask your rental car supplier to find out if they offer cars with transponders. If so, you can take advantage of the “orange” lanes at the toll booths.

Ideas for day trips

• Montagne Sainte-Victoire. A large mountain overlooking Aix from the east, Sainte-Victoire can be seen in paintings by Picasso and Cezanne. It’s possible to drive to the base and then take one of the many routes up the mountain; the view from the top is amazing. Sainte-Victoire is 16km (10 miles) from Aix and can be reached in about 30 minutes.

• Avignon. The former papal residence, Avignon is one of the most well-preserved historic cities in Southern France. The entire city center is made up of medieval palaces, churches, and other beautiful buildings and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The city’s museums are dedicated to the remarkable history of the city, even showcasing Roman and pre-Roman times in the region. Avignon is also a center for art, with galleries and art centers taking up space among the tight-knit city streets. Located 90 km (54 miles) northwest of Aix, Avignon can be reached in about 1 hour and 10 minutes.

• Marseille. The second city of France and by far the largest in the region, Marseille has its share of landmarks and attractions to discover. Travelers love the Vieux Port (old harbor) area with the modern MuCEM museum, the Abbey of Saint-Victor, and Palais Longchamp, a fine art and natural history museum. The home matches of Olympiques de Marseille, the local football team, offer a wild atmosphere and are definitely an unforgettable experience. Located just 34km (21 miles) south of Aix, the center of Marseille can be reached in about 45 minutes.

• Arles. Inhabited since antiquity, the cozy town of Arles has some of the best-preserved Ancient Roman remains in the region. These include the Classical Theater, as well as Roman baths and a number of underground galleries of cryptoporticus. This Roman heritage influenced the Romanesque architecture of the early medieval period, which is also very prominent in the city. The celebrated painter Vincent Van Gogh lived here for a while, and many of his most famous paintings were based on the inspiration he drew from his stay. The drive from Aix takes about 1 hour and 10 minutes.

• Cassis and the Calanques National Park. The historic fishing village of Cassis is a wonderful place to experience the old-world charm of the French Riviera, without having to drive further up the Cote d’Azur. Featuring a pretty portside promenade lined with cafe terraces, call in for lunch before heading to one of the nearby beaches. Cassis is also the launching point for walks, boat trips, and kayak excursions in the Calanques National Park. Cassis is situated 50km (31 miles) south of Aix and takes around 45 mins to reach.

• Toulon. Not to be confused with the much larger Toulouse in the southwest of the country, Toulon is known for its aforementioned international airport and equally, for its old port, well-preserved historical Haute–Ville, or Upper Town, and lovely nearby beaches (most of the nicest spots can be found to the east, although a good number of lovely beaches are also to the west, between Toulon and Marseille). The drive from Aix-en-Provence to Toulon only takes about 90 minutes.

Most popular cars

The most popular rental car in Aix-en-Provence is the Opel Corsa, but many travelers also go for the Citroen C3 and the Renault Clio. The most popular rental car types are economy, compact, and mini.

Further destinations

• Verdon Gorge. A huge and hugely impressive gorge, Verdon has been called Europe’s grand canyon. The gorge is more than 700 m (2,300 ft) deep and offers great opportunities for hiking, rock climbing, kayaking, swimming, or just taking amazing photos. The area is very popular among visitors to the region, and the best viewing spots can get a bit crowded, but it’s still a stunning place to visit. Located 125km (71 miles) east of Aix, the gorge can be reached in about two hours.

• The French Riviera. This picturesque coastal area might have a reputation for being posh and expensive, but that is only because there’s so much to see and enjoy. Towns like Cannes, Antibes, and St. Tropez offer stunning beaches, lovely architecture, and world-class restaurants. The latter, just 122km (75 miles) southeast of Aix, can be reached in an hour and forty-five minutes..

• Grenoble. An impressive city near the borders of Switzerland and Italy, Grenoble has plenty of attractions. Visitors love it for the Bastille Hille, the Palace of the Parliament of Dauphine, and the city’s tranquil atmosphere. Grenoble is also a gateway to the French Alps and the many national parks and ski resorts that can be found there. Located 295 km (183 miles) north of Aix, Grenoble can be reached in about three hours.

• Nice. Nice is not just one of the largest cities in the French Mediterranean, it is definitely also among the most pleasant to visit. Known for its scenic waterfront, well-preserved old town, and high-quality art museums, it is also a hub of delicious cuisine. The drive from Aix-en-Provence will take just over two hours.

• Mercantour National Park. The French like to say that Provence is a place where you can ski in the morning and swim in the Mediterranean in the evening, and one of the places responsible for the first part of that sentence is no doubt Mercantour. Part of the so-called Maritime Alps, this surprisingly wild hub of hiking and winter sports is known for its snow-capped peaks, steep, wooded valleys, glacial lakes, and a variety of flora and fauna. The park is near the border with Italy, north of Nice, and about a three-hour drive east of Aix.

Car rental prices in Aix En Provence

• Small cars - from €43 per day
• SUVs - from €65 per day
• Premium cars - from €176 per day
• Medium cars - from €60 per day
• Large cars - from €88 per day
• Station wagons - from €178 per day
• Vans - from €112 per day
• Convertibles - from €261 per day

Money-saving and other tips

Get a great rental car by following these tips:

• Compare the rates of different rental car providers
• Book your rental car well in advance
• Plan your route before you go
• Know your fuel and mileage requirements
• Visit during the month when the rental prices are the cheapest. According to our data, visiting Aix-en-Provence is the cheapest in April when renting a car is about 34% cheaper than the yearly average. Enjoy early summer by coming to the south of France!