Aix-En-Provence

Aix-en-Provence, located 30 km north of Marseille, is a university city known as the birthplace of Post-Impressionist painter Paul Cézanne. Our recommendations on the best places to run in Aix-en-Provence:

Promenade de la Torse: A favorite place to run in Aix-en-Provence is the tranquil Promenade de la Torse around the river park. This combination of paved and hard-packed gravel trail travels through a tree-lined riverside for a loop of roughly 2.5 km. For a longer run, continue up Avenue Saint Jerome to Parc Jourdan and loop around the gardens there. This brings the length up to about 6.7 km. ROUTE MAP.

Promenade de l’Arc: There is more great running in the south end of AIX-EN-PROVENCE along the La Torse river. Start in Val de l’Arc park and head south along the river, bending inland at Chemin de la Cible. Wind west along the water until the D8N bridge, then turn LEFT to cross to Chemin du Viaduc. This will loop you back east to the start of the course for a total of 6.5 km. ROUTE MAP.

Centre-Ville & Cézanne’s Trail. The local government has created a wonderful walking trail celebrating Cézanne’s life and work in a number of places. It starts at the Tourist Information Office. The trail is marked with nails stamped “C”. You can also create your own run in Centre Ville. Great maze of narrow streets, with pretty, older buildings. A nice add-on to Promenade de la Torse just to the south. Get up early to beat the crowds! MAP & INFO

Lac de Peyrolles: About 30 minutes from Aix-en-Provence by car, the lake is an old quarry that was filled with water and is now a major rowing and swimming hub. It’ssurrounded by a large public park, including a scenic dirt running path around the lake. The loop is ~5 km, but runners traveling from the Peyrolles en Provence bus stop will add on an additional 2 km. ROUTE MAP.