At some point in your life, you have heard about this place. In movies, television shows, and obscure indie-songs, references are always made to “moving to the south of France.” Even if you have never been there personally, we all have a general idea of what this place feels like: warm weather, cobblestone streets, and the pungent scent of freshly-baked bread wafting down alleyways and through shops. As much as I hate to agree with stereotypical images, I must confess that when speaking to the town of Aix-en-Provence in southern France, these idealistic descriptions could not be more accurate.

Aix-en-Provence, (Aix, to the locals), is a quiet town about equidistant from its more celebrated neighbors Marseilles and Nice. Being that it is home to a population of around 143,000 people, the town remains somewhat of a hidden gem among avid travelers. While the town is small, that is no way means that there are not hundreds of things to do and see while you are there.

As far as dining goes, Aix offers something for the most simple to complex palate. The overwhelmingly popular genre of food would have to be traditional French cuisine, focusing on Provincial favorites like charcuterie boards featuring freshly cured meats and creamy cheeses, killer Nicoise salads, and of course, gelato on every corner. In addition to the traditional, there are also numerous sushi and Chinese options, pizzas galore, and my personal favorite, a 3-course fondue restaurant with enough combinations to last you a week. Feeling homesick? Aix is also home to a few “burger bars” that will hit you right in the American feels. Load up with back-home favorites with a twist — avocado double cheeseburger, anyone? No matter what you wake up craving, Aix is ready to cater to all of your taste buds’ fantasies.

Is shopping more your speed? Well, you’re in luck! Cours Mirabeau, the most central part of the town, is home to world-famous designer shops. Along the procession of stores akin to Champs-Elysees in Paris, you’ll find stores like Longchamp and Lacoste, to name a few. As an added bonus, many of the pricey French-born lines are actually cheaper when you buy them in their home country! If you are feeling a bit more adventurous, try wandering around the many narrow, cobblestoned alleyways and in no time you will find yourself inside one of hundreds of boutiques. Chic, welcoming, and eclectic, Aix’s smaller scale shops offer everything from handmade accessories to high-fashion ensembles that look like they came fresh from the runway. True, these gems may be a bit pricey, but just think of all the money you have already saved by indulging in freshly baked baguettes at less than one Euro apiece!

If you find yourself with enough time to explore even further, you must get outside and experience the many parks and gardens in town. Even if the outdoors is not really your “thing,” the manicured gardens of Parc Vendome and walking trails in Parc La Tourse are enough to awaken the active spirit in even the most hardened couch potato. Serene and almost always sunny, these public spaces are some of the best spots to watch the locals as they really are, outside of a Rick Steve’s book.

Since you are already out and about, you must travel into the country-side and hike, or at least marvel at, Mont Sainte Victoire. With an elevation of over 1,000 meters, Sainte Victoire sits overlooking a traditional Provencal landscape of lush fields and picturesque gardens. It is no wonder that legendary artists such as Paul Cezanne found their muse in this extraordinary feat of nature.
Point is, if you ever find yourself near the South of France, it would behoove you to take a trip to Aix-en-Provence. Between the enticing cuisine, luxury shopping, and sublime parks and recreational spaces, Aix really is the most shining example of a quaint town with a certain “je ne sais quoi.”

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Lizzy Spock is a current senior at the Pennsylvania State University double majoring in art history and journalism. In the spring of 2015, she spent the best four months of her life studying in Aix-en-Provence, France. She has always had a passion for traveling and examining cultures outside of her own, so the opportunity to live with a family in a foreign country made it easy to experience first-hand the way the locals really live. Not only was she able to make herself at home in a new environment, but also spend her free time traveling around Europe- to over nine different countries! Through this experience, she learned about life, culture, and how our perspectives change as we move throughout the world. She holds these rich experiences with her as she continues to explore the world, and is so excited to share everything she’s learned![/accordion_tab]