Aix-en-Provence - Economy

Economy

Industries formerly included flour-milling, the manufacture of confectionery, iron-ware, hats, matches and the extraction of olive oil.

Current economic activities include:

  • Tourism.
  • Entertainment, particularly opera and dance.
  • The semiconductor and electronics industry in Rousset, to the south of Mont St Victoire, specializing in microchip technology for credit cards.
  • Education and research. In Aix the University of Aix-Marseille specializes in the humanities, law and economics.
  • The computer software industry.
  • The manufacture of santons, traditional hand-crafted figurines, often associated with provencal Christmas creches.
  • The manufacture of olive oil.
  • The manufacture of calissons, a lozenge-shaped confection made from almonds and crystallised melon. Each year in early September, there is a mass in French and Provençal in the medieval church of St Jean de Malte to bless the calissons – la bénédiction des calissons. This ceremony has been held since the seventeenth century to mark the deliverance of Aix from the plague. It is currently accompanied by a colourful provencal pageant, involving most of the local calisson manufacturers and their wares.
  • Viticulture: the local Appellation d'Origine Contrôlée is Coteaux d'Aix-en-Provence AOC, with many vineyards between Aix and the River Durance to the north. The reputed appellation of Palette AOC is represented by the estates of Château Simone in Meyreuil and Château Crémade in Le Tholonet, to the east of Aix.
  • Chocolate: the well known Chocolaterie de Puyricard is situated in the hills to the north of Aix.

The airline Twin Jet has its head office in Aix-en-Provence.

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