Towns around Aix-en-Provence: where to settle, according to your plans

Around Aix-en-Provence, eight towns and villages lie 5 to 12 km from the centre: Le Tholonet, Puyricard, Saint-Marc-Jaumegarde, Venelles, Éguilles, Bouc-Bel-Air, Cabriès and Ventabren. Each suits a different way of life: family, calm and views, or the road to Marseille.

Former capital of Provence, the city enjoys many assets. Its location, its proximity to Marseille and its mild, sunny climate all year round make it a place where one is happy to settle.

The area around Aix is vast: INSEE links 28 municipalities, Aix included, to its living area (bassin de vie). Eight of them are presented here, from perched village to residential town, with their distance from the centre and the properties you will find there.

Towns around Aix-en-Provence: distances and profiles at a glance

The table brings together, for each town, the distance from the centre of Aix, the way of life and the dominant property type.

Living in Le Tholonet, at the gates of Mont Sainte-Victoire

Facing Mont Sainte-Victoire, Le Tholonet unfolds along the Route de Cézanne. Among pines and the café terraces of the village square, life follows a preserved rhythm, 5 minutes by car from the centre of Aix.

You will find characterful estates and villas opening onto the countryside and the mountain.

Living in Puyricard, a Provençal district of Aix-en-Provence

The village of Puyricard enjoys a rich cultural and architectural heritage, a reminder of its history. In the village you will find several 17th-century houses, typical of the bourgeois Provençal architecture of the period. You will no doubt fall under the spell of the many prestigious villas, houses and bastides of Puyricard.

A dependency of Aix-en-Provence, Puyricard has for several years been seen as a district of the city rather than a village in its own right. Located between Venelles and Éguilles, Puyricard is easily reached by car and lies 30 km from Marseille, an ideal geographic position.

Puyricard keeps the Aix-en-Provence address and its village setting, among vineyards and large estates. The weekly market and the international school (IBS) bring the area to life and attract an international clientele.

→ Sotheby's International Realty: real estate agency in Aix-en-Provence

Living in Saint-Marc-Jaumegarde, between nature and discretion

A small municipality of just over 1,100 inhabitants, Saint-Marc-Jaumegarde keeps watch east of Aix, close to Mont Sainte-Victoire. Discretion and nature shape a way of life far from the bustle of the centre, with Aix within easy reach.

Living in Venelles, family life north of Aix

North of Aix, Venelles overlooks the Durance valley and opens onto broad views of the countryside. Its sports facilities and lively community life make it an address for family life.

The A51 takes you to the centre of Aix in under 10 minutes. Contemporary houses and villas stand side by side in residential neighbourhoods.

Living in Éguilles, calm and tranquillity close to Aix-en-Provence

Just 10 km north-west of Aix-en-Provence, Éguilles offers its visitors an uninterrupted view over the Aix countryside, at nearly 300 metres above sea level. To the east, you will see the green plain of Les Milles, stretching as far as the Étoile range and the famous Mont Sainte-Victoire. To the west, enjoy the Étang de Berre, a vast expanse of water close to the Mediterranean.

In the heart of the Aix region, Éguilles is the ideal place to live away from the bustle of the city while staying close to it. Ideal for family life, Éguilles offers many houses, Provençal mas and villas with swimming pools. You will stroll along the small lanes of this Provençal village and enjoy the calm, the greenery and the gentle way of life that reigns here.

The Éguilles agency of Sotheby's International Realty supports your project, whether a house or a villa in the area.

Living in Bouc-Bel-Air, between Aix and Marseille

South of Aix, Bouc-Bel-Air has settled along the road to Marseille, with direct motorway access. The old village and its castle stand alongside residential neighbourhoods and green spaces, including the Bois de la Salle.

Properties here take the form of villas and town houses. Discover our houses and villas in Bouc-Bel-Air or meet the Bouc-Bel-Air agency.

Living in Cabriès, residential countryside at the gates of Aix

South-west of Aix, Cabriès offers a residential countryside setting, next to Les Milles. Houses and villas can be found among our properties for sale in Cabriès.

Living in Ventabren, a picturesque village of the Bouches-du-Rhône

Ventabren is a small village in the Bouches-du-Rhône, a few kilometres from Aix-en-Provence. Perched on a hilltop and crowned by the ruins of Queen Joanna's castle, it offers a picturesque Provençal setting and the countryside less than 30 minutes from Aix.

In recent years the village has grown considerably, yet it has kept its authenticity, with its wash-houses and its 17th-century church. Today it is home to many main or second residences, villas and charming apartments built in keeping with the village's architecture. A short walk from the village stands the largest stone aqueduct in the world, built in the mid-19th century to bring water to Marseille.

Choosing a town around Aix-en-Provence to suit your plans

Your way of life guides the choice. Three profiles emerge:

- Family life: Venelles and Éguilles, for their amenities and their houses with garden or swimming pool.

- Calm, views and authenticity: Le Tholonet, Puyricard, Saint-Marc-Jaumegarde and Ventabren, in a natural setting or a perched village.

- Commuting to Marseille: Bouc-Bel-Air and Cabriès, south of Aix, close to the motorways.

To remain within the city itself, begin by comparing the neighbourhoods of Aix-en-Provence: Luynes and Les Milles are part of it, like Puyricard, presented above.

Further north, Pertuis lies outside the Aix living area as defined by INSEE: discover our houses for sale north of the Aix region.

Frequently asked questions about the towns around Aix-en-Provence

Which town is closest to Aix-en-Provence?

Le Tholonet is the closest of the eight towns presented, about 5 km from the centre.

Where should I live near Aix if I work in Marseille?

Bouc-Bel-Air, south of Aix, offers direct motorway access to Marseille. Cabriès, further west, is another option. Test the journey at peak hours before deciding: it varies greatly with the time of day.

Is Puyricard part of Aix-en-Provence?

Yes, Puyricard is a district of the municipality of Aix-en-Provence. It carries the Aix address, with a village setting among vineyards and large estates.

Which village should I choose for a family home with a garden?

Éguilles and Venelles offer houses and villas with a garden or swimming pool, as well as schools and sports facilities.

Which town should I choose for calm and views?

Le Tholonet and Saint-Marc-Jaumegarde, close to Mont Sainte-Victoire, favour calm and views. Puyricard offers a village setting among vineyards and large estates.

To discover the properties available around Aix, browse our luxury properties in Aix-en-Provence or request a free valuation of your property.