Postcard from Aix-en-Provence

Postcard from...AIX-EN-PROVENCE
  

Beautiful Aix-en-Provence. It is sophisticated and charming with the Cours Mirabeau, its' main avenue, running through its' historical heart. 

 

440 meters long and 42 meters wide, the Cours Mirabeau is lined on one side, with cafés, such as the famous café; "Les Deux Garçons" (since 1792, it has served the likes of Cézanne, Emile Zola, Picasso, Edith Piaf, Hemingway, Churchill and many others...), ice-cream vendors and a few small tourist shops,  and, on the other side, banks and official buildings; the most striking of all being the "Tribunal de Commerce" with its' two monumental 'Atlantes' dating back to 1648.

Behind the 'Deux Garçons' is the Old Town with irregular streets, old mansions dating back to 16th, 17th and 18th Centuries...and great shopping...

Kim between giant Atlantes...

 At the bottom of this long, avenue, shaded by double-rows of plane-trees, is the famous "Fontaine de la Rotonde" and at the other end, the statue of the "Roi René".  

 Aix-en-Provence is an elegant city, sometimes compared to a smaller, southern version of Paris. It has a very rich cultural scene (art and music) and is ranked second city in France, (just behind Paris) for its' heritage, boasting no less than 140 monuments classified 'historical monuments'! 

Aix-en-Provence is also an important university town (since 1409) with many reputed teaching and research facilities. There are more than 20'000 students in the city.

What I prefer about Aix, is strolling along the lovely little streets, admiring the beautiful facades, maybe getting alot, a little shopping done, going to the flower market around the Place de l'Hôtel de Ville to pick up some fresh blooms or to the antique market held once a month along the Cours Mirabeau. 

with the Vélosolex (vintage ride)

Don't forget to look up too...there are lovely little places above the streets...

Kelly got some shopping done...

Aix-en-Provence's streets are also a wonderful venue for displaying art, especially monumental sculptures.  

Igor Mitoraj - in 2010

or...

Nicolas Lavarenne - in 2012

But, although sightseeing, shopping, art and culture may feed the ego, the eyes and the soul...we all need REAL food once and a while...right ?

So, one can nibble on some delicious "Calissons d'Aix", the sweet speciality of the city...

Yummmmmmy..

or stop in one of the many, many, many great little restaurants scattered all about...

Best Pizza in Aix

or another trendy place...this one's all about cheese...and wine

or one can seek another culinary experience in one of the best restaurants of the area...if you like...'molecular cuisine'.

 There are two delicious restaurants belonging to the French Chef Pierre Reboul; a simple bistro one ('Le Petit Pie-R', when you just want a light meal and don't have too much time..) and the gastronomic one ('Pie-R Reboul') where he excels in mastering the art of molecular cuisine...quite an experience! We go every year and have never been disappointed! 

"Le Petit Pie-R" Menu in a notebook to fit the "scholarly" theme and decor

and the gourmet restaurant, "Pie-R Reboul" set in a decor with a rather psychadelic vibe...just like the culinary experience...

Valentine and her Dad in eager anticipation...Let the festivities begin...

Only a selection of the delicious tasting menu (the little hamburger and 'starbuck' drink you may have spotted, is actually a 'deconstructed' version of a typical fast-food classic turned into a gastronomical delight).

This is just a sample of all that Aix-en-Provence has to offer whatever the season. I haven't even mentioned the great classical and Opera musical festival in July or the jazz in June that goes on as well. There are great Museums; the Musée Granet is well worth a visit and always holds beautiful exhibits.

But just enjoying the "douceur de vivre", having a cocktail on a terrace and watching people go by is really very nice, for Aix is also a very trendy and fashionable city and people watching is fun here! You may spot Jessica Alba whose husbands' family lives in the area and who comes regularly to savour the Provence lifestyle.

Jessica Alba incognito in Aix

How about this dashing gentleman (worthy of the 'Sartorialist' for sure)...

Kelly's pic...

I will leave it at that and if you want to find out more...you'll have to come visit for yourself - you won't regret it.

Come back for my next post...I'll take you to a wonderful French "marché" in one of the lovliest villages with my...


Postcard from...Le Marché de Lourmarin 


A très vite...


 Credits:- wikipedia, www.justeacote.com, www.aixrent.wix.com, www.commons.wikimedia.org, www.hiddengemtravel.blogspot.com, www.makingamoveablefeast.wordpress.com, www.ateliervisit.com, www.thehousewherethecricketssing.com, www.panoramio.com