A Travel Price Comparison for France Beaune vs. Aix-en-Provence for Food, Couples, Attractions, and Nightlife

Should you visit Beaune or Aix-en-Provence?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Beaune and Aix-en-Provence. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.

Beaune

Beaune is a cultural, historic, and culinary town. Don't miss this spot, as it's a charming small town with plenty of activities. Other popular activities here include shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Aix-en-Provence

Aix-en-Provence is a laid-back, relaxing, and historic town. The beauty of this spot is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. And you can't forget about the shopping, museums, and food.

Beaune and Aix-en-Provence: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Beaune or Aix-en-Provence?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Beaune. Although Beaune and Aix-en-Provence are both popular with visitors, Beaune has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Beaune is more popular for its museums, nightlife, historical sights, and small town charm, while Aix-en-Provence is known for its shopping and impressive beauty. Beaune is more touristy than Aix-en-Provence and is known for its surrounding vineyards and world-renowned wines. It is also home to The Surrounding Vineyards. Aix-en-Provence is popular for its Provençal cuisine made with local produce, its many art galleries, and its beautiful fountains and square.

How is Beaune different from Aix-en-Provence?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Aix-en-Provence and Beaune. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Beaune or Aix-en-Provence?

Beaune is well known for its museums and landmarks. Also, Aix-en-Provence is still popular, but not quite as popular for its historical sights.

With a variety of museums, monuments, and historical sights, a trip to Beaune can be an interesting and educational experience. Top sights and museums around town include Hôtel-Dieu (a former hospital), Château de Savigny, and Château de la Rochepot.

Aix-en-Provence is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. In addition to its many squares and fountains, there is also Cathédrale Saint-Sauveur, Musée Granet, and Musée des Tapisseries.

Is the Food Better in Beaune or Aix-en-Provence? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Local dishes at restaurants are fun to try in both Beaune and Aix-en-Provence.

Eat your way through Beaune, as it has many local or world renowned restaurants to choose from. The restaurant scene is made up of small, narrow, local bistros that serve local dishes with regional ingredients. Many of the menus are focused on wine with the dishes designed specifically to compliment the wines. This is a tourist town, and you'll find many visitors come specifically to enjoy the French cuisine.

For foodies, Aix-en-Provence is an obvious choice, as it is one of the food capitals of the world. The range of restaurants includes everything from modern and trendy to traditional and casual. The town is surrounded by a region that is known for its local produce. There are also many markets worth checking out in town.

Is Beaune or Aix-en-Provence Better for Nightlife?

Beaune is a nice place to visit for its evening party scene. However, Aix-en-Provence is not particularly known for nightlife.

Beaune has an active nightlife scene for those who seek it out. You'll find bars and pubs as well as many places to sip French wine and enjoy the evening.

Aix-en-Provence doesn't have the most active nightlife scene. The nightlife scene that does exist is mostly influenced by the town's large student population.

Is Beaune or Aix-en-Provence Better for its Old Town?

Beaune is terrific for its historic old town charm. However, Aix-en-Provence does not have a historic old town.

Beaune has a unique history which comes to life in its historic area. The old town is walled and compact. It is centered around the medieval hospital complex and it is filled with cobblestone streets and shops.

Aix-en-Provence does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Beaune or Aix-en-Provence?

Aix-en-Provence is terrific for its shopping opportunities. Also, Beaune is still popular, but not quite as popular for its shopping areas.

The abundance of shops in Aix-en-Provence make it a world-class shopping destination. It has some of the best shopping in France outside of Paris. There are many shopping streets where you can pick up trendy fashions or boutique local finds. Head to Rue Marius Reynard, Les Allées Provençales, or Rue Clemenceau for some of the best shopping.

Beaune has a variety of shopping areas worth visiting. Boutiques, wine shops, and independent vendors are fun to explore in town.

Is Beaune or Aix-en-Provence Better for Families?

Beaune is a nice place to visit for its family-friendly activities. However, Aix-en-Provence is not particularly known for its kid-friendly activities.

You'll find plenty of kid-friendly things to do in Beaune. The town has museums like Hospices de Beaune, Hotel-Dieu (a formal hospital), as well as vineyards that you can hike through. Many people enjoy taking a hot air balloon ride while they're in the region.

For families, Aix-en-Provence is not always the best place to visit. Many kids enjoy checking out the town's many fountains or taking a bike for a ride outside of town.

Is Beaune or Aix-en-Provence Better for Couples?

Beaune is terrific for couples. Also, Aix-en-Provence is still popular, but not quite as popular for romance.

Beaune has so much to offer for a romantic couple's vacation. Couples will enjoy exploring vineyards, sipping French wine, and wandering through the charming old town. There are breathtaking hot air balloon rides and wonderful French restaurants that make for a romantic trip.

Aix-en-Provence is a great town if you're traveling as a couple. It's among the most charming towns in southern France and couples will enjoy the romantic buildings, beautiful fountains, and relaxing countryside. Whether you're on a honeymoon or a couple's getaway, this is a great town.

Is Beaune or Aix-en-Provence Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Aix-en-Provence is a good destination for backpackers. However, Beaune is a town with minimal options for backpackers and budget travelers.

Plenty of backpackers visit Aix-en-Provence. There are a couple of hostels and cheap hotels that are good options for backpackers.

Beaune is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. It's a charming town, but it's not on many backpacker's itineraries. There are also a limited number of hostels to choose from.

Is Beaune or Aix-en-Provence Better for Students?

Aix-en-Provence is a great destination for students. However, Beaune is not popular with students.

Many students visit Aix-en-Provence. It's a university town with a lively but laid-back atmosphere. It's also a popular study abroad destination for American university students.

Beaune is not popular with students.

Is Beaune or Aix-en-Provence Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

You'll find somewhat comparable public transit options in both Beaune and Aix-en-Provence.

You'll find some public transit in Beaune, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. While you can walk around the historic center, it's possible to take a bus if you're traveling further.

While Aix-en-Provence offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. For the places you can't reach on foot, there is a bus network.

Is Beaune or Aix-en-Provence a more walkable city?

Beaune is terrific for its ease of walking around. Also, Aix-en-Provence is still popular, but not quite as popular for its walkability.

Getting around Beaune on foot is easy. It's a walkable town that's perfect for taking a stroll.

Aix-en-Provence is very walkable. It's walkable, particularly in the heart of the city, so it's fun to explore on foot.

For even more information, also check out Is Beaune Worth Visiting? and Is Aix-en-Provence Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Aix-en-Provence or Beaune?

How long in Beaune or Aix-en-Provence?

It's fun to spend time in either Beaune or Aix-en-Provence. In our opinion, Beaune has more to see and do, so we recommend that you spend more time in Beaune than Aix-en-Provence. However, 2-4 days is a good amount of time to spend in either destination.

Families should spend more time in Beaune than Aix-en-Provence. Because of the many family-friendly attractions and fun things to do for kids in Beaune, it's a great place to visit with the whole family.

Couples should spend more time in Beaune than Aix-en-Provence. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Beaune that are great for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Aix-en-Provence than Beaune if your budget allows for it. With a larger number of budget-friendly sights, good nightlife, and active things to do, anyone traveling on a budget would have a good time in Aix-en-Provence.

One day in Beaune or Aix-en-Provence?

The quaint destination of Beaune offers nightlife and food. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. It's no surprise that food is why people visit. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do.

Many travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the destination of Aix-en-Provence. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

A weekend in Beaune or Aix-en-Provence?

The town of Beaune offers food and shopping. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. A weekend here is typical. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything. A weekend is often enough time to do most activities.

Aix-en-Provence is a great place to explore. It is common to spend a weekend here. With all of its activities, you can easily fill a weekend here. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

Five days in Beaune or Aix-en-Provence?

Beaune is a great place to explore. Visiting the old town is also a must. It's no surprise that food is why people visit. This town offers something for everyone. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Aix-en-Provence. Five days may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

A week in Beaune or Aix-en-Provence?

Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Beaune. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the laid-back destination of Aix-en-Provence. This town offers a variety of activities to choose from. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Vineyard & Wine Tours in France, The Best Food and Culinary Tours in France, The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in France, and The Best Luxury Tours to France.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Beaune and Aix-en-Provence, we can see that Beaune is more expensive. And not only is Aix-en-Provence much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Aix-en-Provence would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Aix-en-Provence and be able to afford a more luxurious travel style by staying in nicer hotels, eating at more expensive restaurants, taking tours, and experiencing more activities. The same level of travel in Beaune would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Beaune than you might in Aix-en-Provence.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Beaune Expensive? and Is Aix-en-Provence Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Beaune or Aix-en-Provence?

Aix-en-Provence has a larger population, and is about 6 times larger than the population of Beaune. When comparing the sizes of Beaune and Aix-en-Provence, keep in mind that a larger population does not always imply the destination has more attractions or better activities. So, always research the type of place that you want to visit along with the activities and attractions that interest you.

When is the best time to visit Beaune or Aix-en-Provence?

Both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. And since both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

Should I visit Beaune or Aix-en-Provence in the Summer?

Both Aix-en-Provence and Beaune are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Beaune in the summer for the small town charm and the family-friendly experiences. Also, most visitors come to Aix-en-Provence for the family-friendly experiences during these months.

In the summer, Beaune is cooler than Aix-en-Provence. Typically, the summer temperatures in Beaune in July average around 21°C (70°F), and Aix-en-Provence averages at about 24°C (75°F).

It's quite sunny in Aix-en-Provence. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Beaune. Beaune usually receives less sunshine than Aix-en-Provence during summer. Beaune gets 266 hours of sunny skies, while Aix-en-Provence receives 366 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Beaune usually receives more rain than Aix-en-Provence. Beaune gets 51 mm (2 in) of rain, while Aix-en-Provence receives 14 mm (0.6 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Beaune or Aix-en-Provence in the Autumn?

Both Aix-en-Provence and Beaune during the autumn are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Beaune for the shopping scene and the small town atmosphere during these months. Furthermore, the autumn months attract visitors to Aix-en-Provence because of the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area.

In October, Beaune is generally cooler than Aix-en-Provence. Daily temperatures in Beaune average around 13°C (55°F), and Aix-en-Provence fluctuates around 16°C (61°F).

In Aix-en-Provence, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the autumn, Beaune often gets less sunshine than Aix-en-Provence. Beaune gets 121 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Aix-en-Provence receives 205 hours of full sun.

Beaune usually gets less rain in October than Aix-en-Provence. Beaune gets 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain, while Aix-en-Provence receives 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Beaune or Aix-en-Provence in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Beaune and Aix-en-Provence. The winter months attract visitors to Beaune because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Furthermore, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Aix-en-Provence this time of year.

The weather in Beaune can be very cold. Beaune is much colder than Aix-en-Provence in the winter. The daily temperature in Beaune averages around 3°C (38°F) in January, and Aix-en-Provence fluctuates around 7°C (44°F).

Beaune usually receives less sunshine than Aix-en-Provence during winter. Beaune gets 53 hours of sunny skies, while Aix-en-Provence receives 150 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Beaune usually receives more rain than Aix-en-Provence. Beaune gets 59 mm (2.3 in) of rain, while Aix-en-Provence receives 47 mm (1.9 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Beaune or Aix-en-Provence in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Beaune as well as Aix-en-Provence. The small town charm are the main draw to Beaune this time of year. Additionally, many travelers come to Aix-en-Provence for the natural beauty.

In the spring, Beaune is cooler than Aix-en-Provence. Typically, the spring temperatures in Beaune in April average around 11°C (53°F), and Aix-en-Provence averages at about 13°C (56°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Aix-en-Provence. In the spring, Beaune often gets less sunshine than Aix-en-Provence. Beaune gets 178 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Aix-en-Provence receives 245 hours of full sun.

Beaune usually gets more rain in April than Aix-en-Provence. Beaune gets 52 mm (2 in) of rain, while Aix-en-Provence receives 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Aix-en-Provence and Beaune