Aix-en-Provence Aix-en-Provence Aix-en-Provence (; , ; ), or simply Aix (; medieval Occitan "Aics"), is a city-commune in the south of France, about north of Marseille. A former capital of Provence, it is in the region of Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur, in the department of Bouches-du-Rhône, of which it is a subprefecture. The population of Aix numbers approximately 143,000. Its inhabitants are called "Aixois" or, less commonly, "Aquisextains". Aix ("Aquae Sextiae") was founded in 123 BC by the Roman consul Sextius Calvinus, who gave his name to its springs, following the destruction of the nearby Gallic oppidum at Entremont. In 102 BC its
Banon, Alpes-de-Haute-Provence a small amount sold on the regional market. Currently the surface area of vineyards is insignificant. In late 2010 there were 31 establishments in the secondary sector (industry and construction) employing 55 employees. Banon has become famous for its small goat cheeses wrapped in dry chestnut leaves and tied with raffia strings. The Banon cheese factory employs 38 people. Over 600,000 individual cheeses are produced each year. Banon cheese is the only appellation d'origine contrôlée (AOC) in the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region. The phosphate mines are closed but the quarry is exploited by "Carrières de Haute-Provence" (Haute-Provence Quarries) who still process