Places to be in Aix-en-Provence
The student neighbourhoods, the libraries to study in, where to go out in the evening, and how to live well on a budget.
Updated 2026-06-20
Knowing where to go makes a new city yours. Here are the student neighbourhoods of Aix-en-Provence, the best places to study for free, where people go out, and how to eat without breaking the budget.
Student neighbourhoods
Where students tend to live and hang out in Aix-en-Provence:
- Quartier Mazarin - Cœur historique, recherché mais plus cher, proche du Cours Mirabeau
- Jas de Bouffan - Ouest de la ville, loyers plus accessibles, relié au centre par le bus
Free places to study
Libraries and study spaces open to students in Aix-en-Provence:
- Cité du Livre (Bibliothèque Méjanes) - Grande bibliothèque municipale dans une ancienne usine d'allumettes
- Bibliothèques universitaires AMU - BU du réseau Aix-Marseille Université, places de travail et salles de groupe
Going out in the evening
The areas students head to after dark:
- Rue de la Verrerie - La rue de la soif, bondée d'étudiants les jeudis et week-ends
Eating well on a budget
CROUS university restaurants serve full meals at a subsidised student price (around 3.30 EUR, about 1 EUR for scholarship holders). Find every site and the menus on the official CROUS map.
Common questions
Where should an international student live in Aix-en-Provence?
Look first at CROUS residences (cheapest, apply early) and the student neighbourhoods listed above. Use Visale (a free state-backed guarantor) if a landlord asks for a guarantor and your family is abroad. See our guide on living in France for the full housing route.
Where can I study for free in Aix-en-Provence?
University libraries (BU) and the municipal libraries listed above are free and have long opening hours, especially in exam season. They are also a good place to meet other students.
Sources
- Agenda Office de Tourisme d'Aix-en-Provence · 2026-06-20
- ESN Aix-en-Provenceofficial · 2026-06-20
- Festival d'Aix-en-Provence (art lyrique) · 2026-06-20
- Rue de la Verrerie · 2026-06-20
- Cité du Livre (Bibliothèque Méjanes) · 2026-06-20
- Bibliothèques universitaires AMUofficial · 2026-06-20
- Aix-en-Provence Expat & International groups (Meetup) · 2026-06-20
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