Les rues d'Aix

Walking around the streets of Aix, you notice all sorts of peculiar street names. As you'd expect for a town that's over 2400 years old, many of these streets commemorate important figures and events from France's rich history. Here's a selection some of the more interesting stories behind the names.

Rue du 4 Septembre
4 Septembre is a narrow street that runs between the Cours Mirabeau and Roi René. It's seriously tiny, as you can see from the picture. Interesting items along here are the international bookstore Paradox and La fontaine des quatre dauphins.

The name is significant as the beginning of the Troisième République, the French system of government born after a revolution on that date in 1870. While leading a war against Prussia, Napoleon III was arrested in the French town of Sedan. Leon Gambetta—for whom another road in Aix is named—then helped launch la Troisième République to replace Napoleon III's empire.

Avenue Jules Ferry
This street stretches all the way from the Roi René to the southernmost parts of Aix, where there's an old viaduct before you reach the autoroute. The road cuts between La Faculté de Letrres and the university dorms, which is appropriate given Jules Ferry's influence on French schooling.

In April 1870, Ferry told the parliament about "the problems with public education" and, a decade later, made some serious changes. Thanks to him, French schools became free in1881 and compulsory a year later. The classes had to be non-religious starting 1882, and the teachers from 1886. Ferry also wanted French students to learn national history and pride, leading one writer to claim he, "gave the schools a militant and patriotic role."

Cours Mirabeau
You've probably seen me mention the Cours numerous times on this blog, and that's because it's a big deal here. The Cours not only serves as the closest Aix comes to having a Main Street, but also as the chic, high-end hangout for those who want to see and be seen; Johnny Depp and other actors are alleged to frequent the street. Whether that's true or not, the street was named after the Comte de Mirabeau in1876. Born Gabriel Riqueti, Mirabeau was a famous writer and politician. Among other things, he seduced and then married a noble's daughter, whom he married in a hotel along the street. At the end of the Cours Mirabeau, there's a statue of the Good King René.

Boulevard du Roi René
This boulevard is a fairly busy street that forms part of the ringroad around old Aix. It's also home to the Hôtel Roi René, whose snazziness is underlined by the cars parked outside: Mercedes, Audis, and the occasional Maserati and Ferrari.

Known as the Good King René for his emphasis on improving agriculture and commerce throughout Provence, René was at various times Duke of Anjou, Count of Provence, and king of Sicily and Naples. In 1470, he retired to Aix-en-Provence and wrote poetry until his death in 1480.

Cours Sextius
Aix-en-Provence started out life as Aquae Sextiae in 122 BC, or "the waters of Sextius". Back then, the Romans used the town as a midway point between Spain and Italy and appreciated the natural water supply. Those hot springs are now part of Thermes Sextius, a fancy spa on, as you'd imagine, the Cours Sextius.


Rue Mazarine
The rue Mazarine is part of the chic Quartier Mazarin. In 1645, Michel Mazarin was named archbishop of Aix by his brother, Jules Mazarin. Between 1646 and 1651 he built the Quartier, expanding Aix to the south specifically for the residences of nobles and politicians.

Carpentier, Jean and François LeBrun. Histoire de France. (2000).
Mayle, Peter. Provence A-Z. (2006).
Michelin. The Green Guide: Provence. (2007).
Ozouf, Mona. Jules Ferry. (2005).