Place d'Albertas, Historical square in Aix-en-Provence, France.
Place d'Albertas is a square in Aix-en-Provence bordered by symmetrical stone buildings with delicate architectural details and tall windows that match the height of each facade. A fountain dating from the 1860s sits in the center, where the ground is paved with rounded cobblestones that have been extended in recent years.
Henri Rainaud d'Albertas, a wealthy merchant, started planning the square in 1724 and gradually purchased surrounding houses over the following years to create an open space. The construction and arrangement of the buildings continued into the 1740s as the square took its present form.
The square serves as a natural gathering place where local artists, students, and residents meet throughout the day for informal exchanges and seasonal celebrations. It reflects how people in Aix-en-Provence use public spaces to come together and share their community.
The square is easy to access on foot from the old town center and connects to nearby streets through narrow passageways. The best times to visit are early morning or late afternoon when the space feels quieter and you can appreciate the details of the buildings without much distraction.
This square was designed following the model of royal squares in Paris, making it a rare example of this urban planning style in southern France. Its creation was entirely financed by one merchant rather than a king, which makes it an unusual expression of private ambition transforming a city's layout.
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