Aix-en-Provence, a small city north of Marseille known as the "city of a thousand fountains," or simply as Aix, is 395 miles (635 km) south of Paris. The easiest way to reach it is to take a TGV from Paris's Gare de Lyon train station. You can also fly into Marseille Airport (MRS) and take a shuttle bus or private transfer from there.
This 10-day itinerary will give you a chance to explore Paris and get a taste of Provence with a cooking class in Aix, as well as hitting the highlights of the French Riviera. If you're interested in a road trip, this self-driving nine-day itinerary will give you a chance to see Arles and Avignon, two of Provence's most beautiful cities, as well as spend a couple of days exploring Paris.
By Train
Duration: 3 hours, 20 minutes
There are several direct daily trains from Paris Gare de Lyon to Aix-en-Provence. The Gare de Lyon is easily accessible by taxi or public transport: you can take the RER A or RER D, the 1 or the 14 metro lines, and several buses to get there. Aix is a fairly small city, and once you arrive, you can easily take a taxi or private transfer to your destination.
By Plane, Bus, or Taxi
Duration: 1 hour, 15 minute-flight and 30-minute drive, plus transfers
If you'd prefer to fly to Provence, flights depart from Paris Orly Airport (ORY). You can reach Orly by taxi or by taking the Orlybus, which leaves from the Place Denfert-Rochereau. You can also take the RER B to the Orlyval metro shuttle, which takes you directly to the airport.
Once you land in Marseille, you can take a taxi or private transfer to Aix-en-Provence, which takes about 30 minutes, or you can take a shuttle bus, which leaves from the airport every 30 minutes and take the same amount of time as a private transfer. If you are planning a road trip through Provence, you can also pick your car up directly at the Marseille Airport and drive yourself to Aix.
Map
