Brazil
Argentina
Bolivia
Chile
Colombia
Ecuador
Guyana
French Guiana
Falkland Islands (Malvinas)
Paraguay
Peru
Suriname
Uruguay
Venezuela
Germany
Austria
Belgium
Croatia
Denmark
Spain
Finland
Greece
the Netherlands
Hungary
Ireland
Iceland
Italy
Luxembourg
Norway
Poland
Portugal
the United Kingdom
the Czech Republic
Sweden
Switzerland
Turkey
the United States
Mexico
the Dominican Republic
South Africa
Australia
Fiji
Cathedral · Aix-en-Provence, Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur
Cathédrale Saint-Sauveur
Aix's cathedral brings together parts from several periods, from the 5th-century baptistery to the Gothic, with a Romanesque cloister and the Buisson ardent triptych, painted by Nicolas Froment in the 15th century.
Illustrative images. The pictures in this guide are illustrations based on the real place, not photographs, and may differ from it.
Discover
About Cathédrale Saint-Sauveur
The Cathédrale Saint-Sauveur stands in the northern part of the old town, on the former Roman road and on the site of the forum of the Roman city of Aquae Sextiae. It was built and altered from the 5th to the 18th century, and therefore combines different styles. On the façade you can see the smooth wall of the Romanesque nave, blocks of ancient stone and the 16th-century Gothic portal.
Inside, the cathedral has three side-by-side naves from different periods. The baptistery, one of the oldest in France, preserves reused Roman columns around the baptismal font. The Buisson ardent triptych, painted by Nicolas Froment for King René in the 15th century, is the best-known work inside.
Next to the church is the Romanesque cloister, from the late 12th century, with thin columns and carved capitals. Visits to the cloister are usually made with a guide or at set times; check before you go.
The cathedral is about 70 metres long and is the seat of the Archdiocese of Aix. Rue Gaston-de-Saporta, which leads to it from the place de l'Hôtel-de-Ville, passes by old town mansions.
Before you go
Practical information
Cidade Turismo reviews its information regularly, but something may have changed. Check with the place before planning your trip.
How much time to set aside
From 30 minutes to 1 hour, including the baptistery and the cloister.
Best time
In the morning, outside mass times. The cloister has its own visiting hours. Entrance to the church is free; check the times before you go.
How to get there
On foot, about a 10-minute walk from the Cours Mirabeau, ascending rue Gaston-de-Saporta from the place de l'Hôtel-de-Ville.
Tip
Look for the ancient columns of the baptistery and the Buisson ardent triptych. Combine the visit with the market at place Richelme and the place de l'Hôtel-de-Ville along the way.
Get your questions answered
Frequently asked questions about Cathédrale Saint-Sauveur
Do you have to pay to enter?
Entrance to the cathedral is free. Visiting the cloister may have its own hours and conditions. Check before you go.
What is the Buisson ardent?
It is a triptych painted by Nicolas Froment in the 15th century, commissioned by King René, who ruled Provence. It shows Moses before the burning bush with the Virgin and Child in the center.
Why does the cathedral seem to mix styles?
It was built and altered over more than ten centuries, on top of the Roman forum. Each era left a part: the ancient baptistery, the Romanesque nave, the Gothic nave and Baroque decorations.