Attractions and Places To See around Le Puy-Sainte-Réparade - Top 20

In the 15th century, the architect Jean de Paris, Controller of Royal Buildings, designed the Villeneuve district, to the east of the city, with a concern for regular perspectives and layouts. The "rue du boulevard" (Emeric David street) is the strong alignment of the new district. Ledoux centered the facade of his new Palace on it. Built on the site of the former Comtal Palace, the Palais de Justice was commissioned in 1787 from Claude-Nicolas Ledoux, who had simultaneously imagined the restructuring of the district. More than 200 houses were destroyed to create this new building. The Revolution broke out and the work was suspended, only to resume in 1822, slightly modified by Michel Penchaud, the prison architect. Completed in 1831, the Court moved in on November 13, 1832. In front of the Palace, monuments in honor of Siméon and Portalis* were erected in 1842, works by Ramus from Aix, inaugurated on November 8, 1847. The neoclassical pediment, planned like that of the Palais de Justice in Marseille, was never realized. Jean-Etienne-Marie Portalis (1778-1807) was a brilliant Provençal jurist, a long-time lawyer in Aix, and a member of the city council in 1789. Napoleon entrusted him, along with others, with the drafting of the Civil Code. Having become Minister, he marked his time by drafting the Concordat with the churches of France.

The Madeleine Church, built between 1691 and 1703 by Laurent Vallon, received its façade between 1855 and 1860, a monumental veneer by Revoil. Listed in 1988, the church contains numerous works by artists who lived in Aix, including the exceptional Altarpiece of the Annunciation (1444), currently visible in the Saint-Esprit Church (rue Espariat) during the restoration work on the building. It was here that Paul Cézanne was baptized in 1839, his parents married here in 1844 and his sister Rose married the lawyer Maxime Conil here in 1881.

According to the notice board, currently not accessible due to the enclave

This square features three key features: the town hall, its fountain, and the grain market. Situated since the 14th century at the foot of the Clock Tower, the town hall was rebuilt in two phases between 1655 and 1678. The overall design, inspired by Italian palaces, is the work of Pavillon, assisted by the sculptors Rambot and Fossé. Two series of paintings are located in the Salle des Etats de Provence, on the first floor: on the one hand, portraits of the counts of Provence and the kings of France, and on the other, major historical works. Time and the Revolution have stripped the façade of its rich ornamentation. The fountain, built in 1755, topped by a Roman column, is by Chastel. The monumental decor surrounding it gives it a wealth of character. Built in 1754, the Halle aux Grains is characterized by a central avant-corps, topped by a triangular pediment protecting a magnificent Baroque ensemble sculpted by Chastel: these are allegories of the Rhône and the Durance, in the form of a man and a woman depicted surrounded by all the agricultural riches derived from the benefits of water. The goddess's foot emerging from the pediment symbolizes the moments when the Durance bursts its banks... a subtle metaphor. (https://www.aixenprovence.fr/Place-de-l-hotel-de-ville)

Man about them, this woodwork is easy.

After the Blessed Virgin Mary, "Sainte MARIA MADELEINE" is the woman most frequently mentioned in the writings of the New Testament. Originally called "Mary of Magdala" after her place of origin on the Sea of Galilee, the name "Mary Magdalene" that is common today has evolved over time. According to the biblical accounts, she is one of the women and men who followed Jesus of Nazareth. According to the testimony of the evangelists, Mary Magdalene is also one of the three women who, after the crucifixion and burial of Jesus Christ, wanted to anoint the body on Easter morning after the Sabbath rest, and the very first person who ever met the Risen Christ.

This church was not dedicated to one of the many people we venerate as blessed or saints and ask for their heavenly intercession with God, or - like so many French churches - to the Mother of God (“Notre-Dame”). The patronage here was chosen to be the incarnate Son of God, Jesus Christ himself, and the church in Aix-en-Provence was dedicated to him under the title “SAINT SAUVEUR” - that is, as the Redeemer and Savior (Latin: “Salvator”).

The Saint-Sauveur Cathedral on the Place de l'Université is the episcopal church of the Archdiocese of Aix. It was constantly rebuilt and expanded and therefore combines a wealth of architectural styles. It has a late Gothic, richly structured façade construction. Jean Guiramand created a main portal with sculptural representations of the Prophets of Israel and the Sibyls. The door jambs are lined with buttresses decorated with niches and pinnacles. The campanile was built in 1323 and consists of two structures that taper towards the top, with the upper one having an octagonal floor plan. Inside there is an early Christian baptistery from around the year 400 and a Romanesque cloister. One of the greatest treasures is an altarpiece made for King René in 1476. Since 1875 the cathedral has held the title of papal minor basilica. In the same year, the cultural monument was classified as a monument historique.