Aix-En-Provance, France

This afternoon, we took a bus to Aix-En Provence….which is situated about 40 miles northwest of Marseilles. What a great city! In our minds…we actually thought it would be a smaller village. But there are 160,000 people………….a third of those are University students.


Aix-En Provence was founded in 123 B.C. by the Romans – after their discovery of mineral springs there. This small city is the capitol of Provence. It still has cobbled streets – which were a bit “higgily-piggily” to walk on. Stu and I were sure that one of the more elderly people in town were going to snap an ankle………but fortunately, that did not happen! We did have a “bleeder” today, though. UGH!
Aix-En Provence is also the birthplace and life-long home of artist Paul Cezanne, a famous impressionist painter.

We toured a cathedral that was built in the 13th century called the “Saint Sauveur.” A bishop resides there still and it contains the first Christian baptismal that existed in all of the Roman Empire!!! This happened when Emperor Constantine stopped persecuting and allowed people the freedom to practice their Christian faith.


Wonderful narrow streets. Quaint little shops. Great little sidewalk cafes to enjoy a cool drink. Hundreds of fountains in the city. Such a GREAT little place to explore!!!

One thing we loved was that every couple blocks or so we would come to an open area – a plaza if you will – where there would be tables and chairs out in the open areas, people laughing, eating, talking…..live music……warm sunshine….etc. This seemed to take place in every neighborhood. Very cool!!!

When walking along the narrow streets, we would hear and then see accordion players….sitting on the sidewalk…playing music all day long! LOVED IT!

This is the home to many things we all love……the French linens that are so beautiful, the lavender fields, the colors of Provence, Calissons - a yummy sweet made with almond paste, sugar and some citrus flavor that has become so well known in this country and more!!!

We went in to a chocolate store and enjoyed looking at the selections there.


More than that………we went in to the Olive Oil store and wanted to have some sent home to us………but they were not equipped to ship to the USA yet…….and we don’t have room for that in our luggage! It was a really fabulous store, though.


All in all……….a lovely afternoon/evening in Aix-En Provence. This, too, is a place we would love to come back to some day.