History of Aix en Provence, cultural capital of Provence
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AAfter destroying the Entremont oppidum, stronghold of the Frank-Salians, the Romans founded the city in 122 BC. The partiality of the new rulers for the thermal springs, combined with the advantageous geographical location on the major routes of communication resulted in rapid development, even to the point of the city acquiring the status of civil capital in the Gallo-Roman province of Narbonnaise II.
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Visigoth and Lombard invasions, followed by Saracen incursions, inflicted cruel blows on the Roman city, leaving just ruins of its splendid past. The city did experience a renaissance when the Counts of Provence made it their capital in 1182. Despite the turmoil of the Hundred Years War, and the death toll of the Plague, the city reached its first real peak under the reign of Rene, last Count of Provence, who remains known in popular history as "Good King Rene". |
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The County of Provence came under royal dominion : Louis XII created a parliament in Aix. Imperial incursions threw the 16th century into turmoil, as well as the Wars of Religion, when the city sided with the Catholics.
A naturally rebellious and anti-authoritarian city, Louis XIV knew how to turn it into a "court city". Seat of Provencal aristocracy and bourgeoisie in the 17th and 18th centuries, the city decked itself out in fontains, religious buildings, public halls and elegant private mansions, testifying to a particularly refined way of life. The city is at the height of its prosperity.
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After the French Revolution, reduced to the rank of "sous-prefecture" (sub-administraton city), the city seemed to go to sleep. Marked by a conservative bourgeoisie, who resisted change, the city did not take a great share in the Industrial Revolution. Its importance ceded to that of Marseille. Aix still remained an important university and culture center.
Vitality returned in the Sixties, first by an increase in population, with a more youthful population - more than 40,000 students are enrolled in the city's universities - then with an affirmation of its status as a culture capital. Now, at the beginning of the third millenium, Aix en Provence draws many advantages from new technological innovations ; the city is experiencing great economic growth.
© photos José Nicolas
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History of Aix en Provence, cultural capital of Provence
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