You don't want to miss this French city
For years and years, I have been on vacation in France. In my youth, I had the pleasure of having a girlfriend with a little house in the woods above Grasse. It's a good thing we didn't have electricity and running water there, otherwise I would have been completely spoiled for life. Peeing in the open field and tapping your own jerry can of water in the village keeps you a bit humble. But we did take trips to the Croiset of Cannes and swam in Grasse. Later, I dated a beloved who had a father with a house in the Languedoc. As far as luxury is concerned, I took cautious steps upward, because he had electricity and only needed to fetch water once a season. Meanwhile, my beloved and I regularly head down to the Côte d’Azur (read about it here my Saint-Tropez trip) and because we absolutely love making little trips, we scour the entire region. One of the hidden gems that I really want to share with you is the town of Aix-en-Provence. You might know the name Aix from that delicious rosé (with a screw cap: so easy when you're on a boat or at the beach), but have you been there? It's so much fun.
1. Why you should go to Aix
It's a student city, which means there's always activity and noise, and tourism is not the only cork that keeps the city afloat. Furthermore, it's not too big, making it cozy and easy to navigate, but at the same time, you have all the things you desire in a city. Museums, beautiful restaurants, lovely clothing stores (Maje!) and plenty of cafés. I think it's the Haarlem (by the way, these are my 7 favorite Haarlem addresses) of southern France.
2. The Provençal market
You have it in Aix in the summer on Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday. You can buy vegetables and fruits, but of course also baskets, hats, and antiques.
3. Place de l’Hôtel-de-Ville
Really a square as a square should be. With rounded cobblestones (leave your heels at home) and lots of terraces that all open onto it. When we were there, a band was playing and my girls danced so joyfully that their skirts fluttered. The memory is still framed.
4. This café
Les Deux Garçons is to Aix what Café de Flore is to Paris. Artists have been coming here for years and years. Do like Paul Cézanne, Pablo Picasso, Alain Delon, and Emile Zola and have your drink here.
53, Cours Mirabeau, Aix en Provence
5. Cours Mirabeau
Definitely a lovely street to stroll along.
6. Another tip (if you have small children)
This actually applies to every French city. Because you can eat well almost everywhere in France, we always choose a restaurant with a terrace within sight. Buy an 800th card so you can normally have two courses and finish a bottle of wine while your children are also having a good time. In Aix, we found that at the corner of Cours Mirabeau.
