Parliament of Aix-en-Provence

The Parliament of Aix-en-Provence was the regional parliament of Provence from 1501 to 1790. It was headquartered in Aix-en-Provence, which served as the de facto capital of Provence.

The region of Provence became a member of the Kingdom of France in 1481. Two decades later, in 1501, King Louis XII of France (1462–1515) established the Parliament of Provence in Aix-en-Provence. By 1535, the powers of the seneschal of Provence were given to the Parliament of Aix. It was modeled after the Parliament of Paris. It set administrative and regulatory guidelines for Provence. It was also in charge of police and healthcare, as well as the oversight of boarding houses, prostitution, religious freedom, etc. At times, the Parliament was closer to the King of France or the Pope, depending on its wishes. For example, in 1590, when it refused to follow Henry IV of France (1553–1610), the King established another parliament in Pertuis.

It comprised first presidents, présidents à mortier, advisors, general advocates, advocates for the poor, etc. By 1604, it became legal to purchase a hereditary position and pass it on to one's male heirs. By 1789, only 6% were commoners, the rest of which were aristocrats. A third were only recently ennobled, even though by 1769 it became practically impossible to join the Parliament if one failed to have four aristocratic ancestors.

It was dismantled in September 1790, during the French Revolution.

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