Entertainment In Aix-en-provence

The town of Aix has a rich and cultured heritage, which ensures interesting and varied entertainment options. Whether you are looking to spend the night dancing in a club or watching a play by a new director, there will be something to suit your tastes. The theatre and music scene is hugely popular in Aix, as are the number of festivals that take place throughout the year.

Nightlife

Aix-en-Provence offers visitors a wide array of choices for a night out. It is a university town, so many of the town’s most popular nightspots cater towards students’ needs and offer happy hours and drink promotions, and can be found to be open until the early hours. Cours Mirabeau is home to many trendy nightclubs, where it is essential to be seen. These can be quite expensive, but are open throughout the night.

If you are looking for entertainment and fun, many bars located throughout the town offer traditional cabaret shows that include dinner. These are suitable for all of the family. Place Richelme is where to head if you like techno music. You will find a variety of pubs and clubs in this area and it is also where the town’s gay community hang out. If noisy clubs and bars aren’t your scene, Aix has a host of quieter more traditional bars and restaurants suitable for those wanting a quiet night out. There is something on offer for everyone in Aix, regardless of age, gender or background.

Theatre and music

Live music can be heard in many bars and clubs throughout the city. Le Scat-Club is a favourite with both locals and visitors, and can be found on rue de la Verrerie. The Festival d’Art Lyrique is the big event in the town for classical music. Productions featuring some of the world’s best singers can be seen in the courtyard of the Archbishop’s Palace.

Aix has a very exciting theatre scene. Many small theatres hosting experimental plays can be found dotted across the city. The Théâtre Antoine Vitez hosts many of the new plays that come to the town, while for a comedy show, head to Fontaine d'Argent in the city centre. Numerous ballet performances can be seen throughout the year at a number of venues thanks to the opening of the Ballet Prejlocaj.

Festivals

Aix-en-Provence plays host to a number of artistic festivals throughout the year, many of which are focused on music, art and film, although there are also numerous historical and religious festivals that also take place. July is the busiest month of the year for events and festivals, when the weather in Aix is at its best, allowing for many outdoor performances and spectacles. Some of the most popular festivals include:

• World Music Day (Fête de la Musique): in June first took place in 1982 and has taken place every year since. Its purpose is to promote music and encourage amateur musicians to perform in the streets. Free concerts are organised at various locations throughout the city and it is the only night of the year where there is no law against loud music, meaning people can party all through the night.
• Aix Festival of Lyric Art (Festival d’Art Lyrique): this festival celebrates all forms of lyrical art and includes musical and operatic performances, which are held in four locations across the city. This annual event is held every July, with the first festival having take place in 1948.
• Aix Jazz Festival: is held at various venues throughout the city every July. It has international acclaim with jazz lovers from all across the world who gather in Aix to enjoy famous artists performing at the open-air theatre.
• Aix Dance Festival is an annual event that takes place over two months in the summer, usually in July and August. It features cinema, dance evenings and dance meetings, held by famous dancers and top-class performances.
• International Short Film Festival: supports new films and filmmakers. It highlights the different approaches to filmmaking and celebrates unique style. This festival has led to the setting up of a short film market here, which has produced over 600 short films that are available to local and foreign buyers.