Founded in 123 BC by the Roman consul Sextius Calvinus, by the 4th century AD, it had became a bustling metropolis. In the centuries following the fall of Rome, the town was repeatedly plundered and conquered, not fully developing until the 12th century, even though it was the capital of Provence. Under the houses of Barcelona, Aragon and Anjou, it became an artistic centre - a tradition that carried on for centuries, with artists like Granet and Cezanne calling it home. Today, visitors can explore the city’s art museum’s, such as the Art Centre housed in a palatial 18th century hotel, or the Granet where visitors can find work from Picasso and Cezanne. Of course, you can always enjoy the oh-so-French feeling of stopping at a cafe after walk down the scenic Le Cours Mirabeau boulevard to the famous roundabout fountain.