Aix-en-Provence beckoned us and we answered the call like many other travelers. We fell in love with its timeless charm and understated elegance.
Our journey from Lyon was seamless, as we hopped aboard a train at Lyon-Part-Deux on a rainy morning and embarked on a scenic ride through the French countryside. We arrived at the Aix-en-Provence TGV train station two hours later and thank goodness, it was sunny and remained so for our visit.
It’s important to note that this train station is a bit far from the old town and one needs to take a half-hour bus ride from the TGV station to the center with bus L040 that can be found one floor below where you get off.
We splurged on an Uber ride instead. We’re going to keep doing that from now on when we can. It was roughly 20 euros with a tip ($21.50) and worth it.
Aix is the birthplace of renowned artist Paul Cezanne, and therefore, the town holds a special place in the hearts of art enthusiasts and history buffs alike.
We were delighted to discover that we could tour Cezanne’s former residence, gaining insight into the life and work of this celebrated painter. This will have to be on our list for the next visit as we never booked tickets.
We found our accommodation on booking.com but I won’t recommend the place. It was a small place in the old town. It was cozy but I hated that the bedroom included the bathroom, and, with no separation. You gotta love the one you’re with :-). You can search for your hotel here.
Quelle surprise! We loved Aix-en-Provence:
From the moment we set foot in Aix-en-Provence, we were captivated by its charm and beauty. With its immaculately clean streets and subtle signs of affluence, the town exudes sophistication and tranquility.
Watching women in outfits that cost thousands move around casually was so wild. It wasn’t in your face like it would have been on Rodeo Drive for instance.
Quaint shops, trendy boutiques, and upscale establishments dot the tree-lined Cours Mirabeau, the bustling heart of the city. Here, we indulged in strolls, people-watching from charming cafes, and immersing ourselves in the vibrant atmosphere.
Exploring the Town:
Aix-en-Provence is a treasure trove of cultural delights, boasting a rich history and an array of attractions to explore. The town is dotted with fountains, earning it the moniker “a town of a thousand fountains” (though in reality, it’s closer to a hundred).
We loved discovering these hidden gems as we wandered through the cobblestone streets, soaking in the ambiance of this charming town. Sure, we got lost a lot, but we ended up finding our way somehow and it always turned out well. We discovered an amazing Chinese restaurant this way.
Thinking back, I would have added another night in Aix and deleted one from our visit to Lyon.
Food of course:
Of course, our visit to Aix-en-Provence would be complete without indulging in food. There were traditional Provencal dishes to international fare (our preference, maybe we were tired of regional cuisine by then 🙂 ), and the town’s restaurants and cafes offered many choices from kebabs to more French.
Ratatouille is the most famous food from Aix. It’s that colorful soup invented by ancient farmers to use up the harvested vegetables. I’m sure you more than likely watched the movie of the same name. I didn’t waste my time trying that :-).
Aix is also famous for its opera music festival each summer. Many would-be artists and painters also follow in Cezanne’s footsteps so there is a thriving art scene.
Aix-en-Provence was the perfect conclusion to our trip:
When our visit may have ended, we knew it wouldn’t be our last encounter with Aix-en-Provence. A return trip is definitely on the books, as we look forward to discovering more of this charming town and its surrounding treasures. We had friends who visited just before we did and they liked it too.
Things to do in Aix-en-Provence:
For those planning a visit, there’s no shortage of activities to enjoy. Museums such as the Granet Museum and the Vasarely Foundation are awesome to discover more of the town’s artistic heritage, while the nearby countryside beckons with its scenic beauty and outdoor adventures.
We can’t forget the Cathedral of Saint-Sauveur, the Aix Cathedral as it’s commonly known. It’s built on the site of the first-century Roman forum. It’s yet another Gothic and Romanesque cathedral that reminds me of so many others such as in Seville.
Luxury shoppers will love Aix’s upscale shops and designer boutiques where they will gladly relieve you of your money. We window-shopped :-).
Departure from Marseille:
We bid our final goodbye to France and made our way to Marseille, the nearest airport for our return flight to Valencia.
Once again, we opted for an Uber ride and it was just under $40 but made life so much less stressful than making our way to the bus station for the ride which departs from Aix every half hour. I think it’s about 11 dollars per person, but I’m not positive.
Aix-en-Provence may have been our final stop, but it won’t be our last. We barely scratched the surface. Next time, I think we will fly directly to Marseille and visit surrounding places like Avignon, and Casis and even revisit Marseille since we liked that a lot too.
It would also be nice to see the area when the lavenders bloom.
Have you been to Aix-enProvence? If so, did you enjoy it?
