Aix-en-Provence

Aix-en-Provence is 30 minutes by bus from La Motte d'Aigues and it costs one euro per person there and one euro per person back! How much does it cost to get to Letterkenny by bus from Raphoe? The system is really easy except that there is limited parking at the SNCF for parking and taking the train or bus. We had none of the hassle of Avignon and found the Tourist Office without any bother. This meant we even had time to have coffee before exploring. We like Aix-en-Provence - even without the sculptures of Nicolas Lavarenne which we delighted in finding!

Aix is often referred to as the city of a thousand fountains. There are lots of fountains and the most spectacular is La Rotunde. This is the most modern of the fountains we saw, built in 1860 and situated in the heart of the city.

La Rotunde.

Paul Cezanne.

 Paul Cezanne was a French artist and Post-Impressionist painter, born in Aix-en-Provence in 1839. He was passionately attached to his home town and to Provence. Picasso called him "the father of us all". The above statue is in front of the Tourist Office and is a bronze by Gabriel Sterk.

Jim was fascinated by the plane trees growing up through the awning in this cafe on Cours Mirabeau.

This is King Rene's fountain, built in 1819. It shows the king holding a cluster of Muscat grapes that he cultivated in Provence. The grapes here are delicious!

A view of Cours Mirabeau with its beautiful plane trees that form an arched avenue.

Another fountain - can't remember its name.

Palais de Justice.

Above 2 - fountain in front of La Madeleine Church which is closed for renovations.

Statue on left of Palais de Justice. He seems aware of something just beyond view perched on his head!

Passage down to a shopping area.

Another fountain - I've lost track of them!

Entrance into part of a university.

The courtyard in same place.

Jim liked this.

I liked this! A cake decorated with mini maccaroons in a patisserie.

We found a market in Town Hall Square. Jim bought saucisson.

I found another use for Jim in his retirement! And it's near the market!

Another fountain

Place des trois Ormeaux and fountain.

Front of Saint-Sauveur Cathedral.

We took a walk to the Vendome Pavillion while we were waiting for the Cathedral to be opened for the afternoon. It is an Aix residence from the 17th and 18th centuries, surrounded by French gardens. It is very tranquil.

The 17th and 18th century residence.

Another fountain.

The tower of the Cathedral.

We were very lucky to hear the organist playing on the Cathedral's pipe organ which is classified a historial monument.

A side altar.

The dome of the Baptistry

Another fountain.

Another use for Jim if he got fed up being at the fountain!

Place des Quatre Dauphins and fountain. Fountain dated 1667.

Back on the Cours Mirabeau at the cafe Les Deux Garcons, the most famous brasserie in Aix. Built in 1792, it has been frequented by the likes of Paul Cezanne, Emile Zola and Ernest Hemmingway. But not by us! The guide book recommended it to be avoided if you wanted good food at a reasonable price.

And finally - La rotunde on our way to the bus.

We liked Aix more than Avignon and, while we did as much or even more walking, we were not as exhausted. That could have had something to do with the fact that the temperatures were only in the low 20s - much more comfortable for us!

Later in the evening, I couldn't get any signal on my phone so I opened the front door to see if that would help. It was blowing a gale and raining leaves! I knew it was windy but that was unbelievable. It got even worse during the night - we even needed the duvet! Now (Thursday morning) it is still very windy and temperatures aren't up to 20 yet.