Le Café Les Deux Garçons in Aix-en-Provence – A must-see during your immersion in Provence
Updated: Sep 22
Les Deux Garçons café is one of the most iconic places in Aix-en-Provence. Located at 53 Cours Mirabeau, right in the heart of the city, it is one of those addresses that every local knows. Here, people often simply call it “Les 2G”.
For generations, artists, writers, locals and visitors gathered on its terrace. Paul Cézanne and Émile Zola are among the famous figures associated with its history, along with many artists and intellectuals who came after them.
Today, the café remains closed following the fire that severely damaged it in 2019. But its story is still very much a part of the history of Aix-en-Provence and Cours Mirabeau.
The history of Les Deux Garçons café in Aix-en-Provence
The history of this place is older and a little more complex than I explained in the first version of this article.
The building that houses Les Deux Garçons is the Hôtel de Gantès, which was built in the 17th century. In the 18th century, the ground floor was home to the Grand Cercle, a meeting place frequented by the nobility and wealthy bourgeoisie of Aix. After the French Revolution, the establishment became Café Julien.
It was in 1840 that it finally took the name Café Les Deux Garçons. According to the story traditionally told, the name came from two waiters, Guidoni and Guérini, who took over the establishment at the time.
The City of Aix-en-Provence itself points out, however, that the exact origin of the nickname “Les 2G” remains somewhat uncertain.
Over the decades, the café became a true Aix institution. Its location on Cours Mirabeau made it a wonderful place to meet, talk or simply sit and watch the world go by.
It is also associated with Paul Cézanne and Émile Zola, two major figures in the history of Aix-en-Provence.
A café I unfortunately never got to experience
There is a little personal frustration behind this article.
I never had the opportunity to stop for a coffee at Les Deux Garçons.
When I was a student in Aix-en-Provence, I simply couldn’t afford to go to this kind of place. Years later, when we moved back to Provence, my children were still young.
I kept thinking I would have plenty of time to go there one day.
And then the café burned down.
Perhaps that is also why its story means something to me. I lived in Aix for several years and later came back to the area with my family, and yet I never got to experience the inside of this institution that I had walked past so many times.
The fire at Les Deux Garçons
The fire was, of course, a turning point in the café’s history.
The first version of this article stated that it had happened on 3 November 2019 and mentioned that it might
have been accidental. This information now needs to be corrected.
The fire severely damaged part of the establishment at the end of November 2019. Official documents from the City have since referred to it as arson.
The damage was considerable and the reconstruction project has proved particularly complex. In addition to the rebuilding work itself, insurance issues considerably delayed the project.
In July 2024, the mayor of Aix-en-Provence explained during a city council meeting that insurance payments had begun and that work was resuming. At the time, she said that it would take at least another year and a half to two years before the building was fully restored, with plans to reconstruct it as it was before.
What did Les Deux Garçons look like before the fire?
Les Deux Garçons was much more than a terrace in a prime location on Cours Mirabeau.
The establishment was known for its historic interior, with chandeliers, mouldings, mirrors and decorative features. Outside, its large terrace offered the perfect place to sit in the heart of one of Aix-en-Provence’s most famous avenues.
And perhaps that is what explains why the people of Aix remain so attached to Les 2G.
The café was simply part of the city.
You could never have stepped inside — like me! — and still feel as though you knew it.
Les Deux Garçons café today
When I wrote the first version of this article, I explained that everyone was waiting for the café to reopen without really knowing when that would happen. Several years later, the wait continues.
The reconstruction has taken much longer than originally expected. Information released by the City over the years also shows how much the timeline has changed: in 2023, reopening was still being discussed for 2025; by July 2024, the municipality was talking about at least another year and a half to two years of work.
As of September 2026, I therefore prefer not to give a reopening date until one has been officially confirmed.
What is certain, however, is that Les Deux Garçons remains a symbol of Aix-en-Provence. And whenever I walk along Cours Mirabeau, I still look at the building with the same thought: I hope that one day I will finally be able to sit on that terrace where I never stopped when I was a student.
Learning French through the history of Aix-en-Provence
During a French immersion, learning the language does not simply mean sitting at a desk with a notebook.
A city like Aix-en-Provence also allows you to discover French through its history, architecture, cafés, people and all the little stories that help you understand French culture.
Les Deux Garçons is a perfect example. Behind the name of a café lie several centuries of history, famous figures, a part of everyday life in Aix and even a few interesting French expressions to learn.
Vocabulary around Les Deux Garçons café
French | English |
Être emblématique | iconic |
Un lieu de rassemblement | gathering place |
Une institution | institution |
Une personnalité | public figure / famous person |
Un établissement | establishment |
Une rénovation | renovation |
Une restauration | restoration |
Une moulure | moulding |
Un lustre | chandelier |
Une terrasse | terrace |
Un incendie | fire |
Un sinistre | disaster / incident |
Une réouverture | reopening |
Un patrimoine | heritage |
FAQ about Les Deux Garçons café in Aix-en-Provence
Where is Les Deux Garçons café?
Les Deux Garçons café is located at 53 Cours Mirabeau, in the heart of the historic centre of Aix-en-Provence.
Why is Les Deux Garçons famous?
Over the years, the café became one of the institutions of Cours Mirabeau. It is particularly associated with the history of Paul Cézanne and Émile Zola and welcomed many famous figures throughout its history.
Why is it called “Les 2G”?
“Les 2G” is the nickname used by locals for Café Les Deux Garçons. The name Les Deux Garçons dates back to 1840 and is believed to be linked to two waiters, Guidoni and Guérini, although the exact origin of the nickname remains open to different interpretations.
What happened to Les Deux Garçons café?
A major fire severely damaged the establishment at the end of November 2019. Since then, the building has undergone a long restoration and reconstruction process. Municipal documents describe the fire as arson.
Is Les Deux Garçons café open today?
As of September 2026, I have not found a recent official source confirming that it has reopened. The latest detailed information from the City that I have been able to verify still referred to ongoing reconstruction work. I therefore prefer not to give a date until the reopening has been officially confirmed.
Discovering Aix-en-Provence during a French immersion
Les Deux Garçons is one of those places that tells the story of Aix-en-Provence.
When I introduce my students to the city, I like to go beyond the monuments. We talk about Cézanne, the history of Aix, its markets, cafés, traditions and the everyday lives of the people who live here.
Because a French immersion in Provence is not simply about learning vocabulary or revising grammar. It is also about understanding what you see, talking to people, discovering a culture and using your French in real life.
And perhaps one day, when Les Deux Garçons has regained its place on Cours Mirabeau, I will finally be able to have that coffee I have been waiting for all these years.
Did you have the chance to experience Les Deux Garçons before the fire?
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