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
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
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,
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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