Aix-en-Provence is the heart of France's jet-set Provence region and is home to the Université de Provence Aix-Marseille, one of the country’s most prestigious universities. But that pedigree aside, Aix (pronounced like the letter “x”) is a laid-back, bohemian artists' enclave. The Impressionist painter Paul Cézanne is the town's most famous son, and his sun-drenched studio, Atelier Cézanne, is a popular tourist site. The modern-day arts scene in Aix is a bit under-the-radar but rich and lively all the same. The Serpentine Galerie exhibits Zimbabwean sculpture in an open-air garden, and the Carré d'Artistes features the work of local artists. Scattered among the galleries are stately 17th- and 18th-century mansions, intricately carved stone fountains, and candle-lit cafés. It's no wonder a town this lovely has inspired so many.