Aix-en-Provence

THE TOWN AND THE UNIVERSITY
Aix-en-Provence lies in the south of France, a few miles north of Marseille and the Mediterranean, in the heart of a region famous for its Gallo-Roman ruins and Romanesque churches, its natural beauty, and its incomparable climate. Aix is a city of approximately 140,000 inhabitants (including about 40,000 students) situated at the foot of the Montagne Sainte-Victoire—the subject of numerous paintings by Paul Cézanne, a native of Aix.

Wellesley-in-Aixers find that opportunities for personal contact as well as intellectual stimulation are enhanced by the warmth and openness of the Provençal people, by the friendly atmosphere of the city, and by its mild climate.

AIX-MARSEILLE I
The University of Provence (Aix-Marseille I) is one of the most eminent in France, second only to the University of Paris in the areas of French literature, history, and linguistics. Because of the rich cultural background of Aix and its region, the university is also the home of the Center for Mediterranean Studies. Wellesley-in-Aix students are registered at the university and take the same courses and exams from the same scholar-teachers as French students. Students majoring in political science or international relations may also take classes at the Institut d’Études Politiques. Students in the full-year program take a minimum of eight courses during the academic year; those in Aix for the fall or spring term take four or five classes. All participants receive Wellesley College course credits for their work in France.

CULTURAL ACTIVITIES
Aix is a city rich in literary, cultural and artistic offerings. Its annual dance and opera festivals attract audiences from all over the world. It is home to a distinguished school of music, the Conservatoire Darius Milhaud, named after the composer who was a native of Aix. Throughout the year, there are many opportunities for students to get involved in the arts: in dance, theater, music, painting and photography. Sports, too, are a vital part of academic life in Aix. We encourage our students to participate in both team and individual sports. These pursuits are worthwhile not only in and of themselves, but also because they are an excellent way to meet French people outside the university.

As students become more familiar with their surroundings, they will want to take greater advantage of the many resources that Aix and Marseille have to offer. Each semester, the program organizes a number of excursions (for example—to the island of Porquerolles, the port town of Cassis, Les Baux, Roussillon and the Lubéron...), dinner parties, walks, and other informal social events.