Christmas Markets in Aix-en-Provence

Aix-en-Provence traces its origins to a Roman settlement established around 122 BC by the consul Sextius Calvinus, who founded a camp near the area's natural thermal springs. The city's name derives from the Latin Aquae Sextiae, reflecting this thermal heritage. During the medieval period, Aix became the capital of the County of Provence and later served as the seat of the Parlement of Provence under French rule, establishing itself as a center for law, learning, and the arts. The city's distinctive abundance of fountains dates largely to the 17th and 18th centuries, when aristocratic and bourgeois families competed to embellish the urban landscape with architectural grandeur.

Aix has a deep-rooted tradition of festive markets connected to Provençal culture, particularly through its celebrated santon fair. Santons—small hand-painted clay figurines depicting nativity scenes and Provençal village life—represent a centuries-old local craft tradition. Aix has long been a center for santon production and sale, and the city's Christmas markets have developed around this artisan heritage, blending traditional santon craftsmanship with broader seasonal festivities.