Aix en Province – the city of poets, or at least that’s what the locals like to call it. It’s known as ‘little Paris’ as it resembles that of the well-known streets and avenues of the famous little city. There is so much to see and do that it could quite easily take you a few weeks to explore every inch of its well-known square. One thing Aix is well known for is its markets. Each week there is 3 days dedicated to the locals who set up shop and sell their freshly picked produce, paintings, flowers and clothing at the markets in and around La place des cardeurs.
There is more than enough to choose from when visiting the markets in Aix, it truly is a sight to see. One could easily sit for hours and watch locals and travelers explore the markets while having a morning bite to eat at one of the café’s overlooking the square.
The town buzzes with life from the early hours of the morning till early evenings. On every street there is one or two café’s to choose from, all ranging with different French delicacies. You are also sure to find a few bars, bakeries and pastry shops with enough to have your mouth watering for the rest of the day.
As you set off on foot to discover the streets of Aix be sure to wonder down little picturesque roads, it’s proven to be the best way to explore and discover the loveliest of boutiques to get lost in. If shopping is what you are looking at doing while on your stay in Aix this would definitely be the place to be. Its shops range from sun-glasses , to hair dressers, barber shops, beauty boutiques, fashion stores, shoe shops – the list goes on, so be sure to wear a comfortable pair of shoes as you might end up walking the day away.
The streets of this little town are something I don’t think any travel could get used to. Every building has its own history and story to tell. It’s vintage and yet rustic feel give is a certain type of je ne sais quoi . I like to think of it as every photographers dream. Every door and window shutter is unique in its own way, beautiful and yet so simple. In between these streets roads open up to multiple churches and magical gardens where locals usually gather for daily picnics.
Aix is also known as the city of fountains as you would probably discover on your own when visiting. There are thousands of fountains all over the place, some more mesmerizing than the next. They are all each a masterpiece in their own right. Free Parking is quite limited in and around the streets of this little piece of paradise so be sure to take one of the hourly buses that frequently travel around Aix if you are planning on spending a day getting lost in all that Aix has to offer.
The streets and avenues are surrounded by trees which gives off a certain country side feel in between the buildings; it’s also more than likely that you’d be greeted by the smell of freshly baked bread when making your way down to the cafes. This is a certain trait of Aix and one I am sure anyone would be able to get used to. It’s quite easy to get lost on your first trip through the center of Aix en Province so be sure pack in a map along with you as many roads tend to look the same but could end up taking you through to the other side of town.
If you do get lost however, don’t fret yourself too much, the locals are quite friendly and a few of them know enough English that will help send you in the right direction. Although most of the shops close in the early evenings in the center of town, many bars and pubs start to set up and open their doors to the night life of the town that like to end off their long day with a glass of wine or a pint of beer. If the night life is something that you would like to explore in Aix make your way down to one of the many cocktail pubs and wine café’s for a real French nightlife experience.
There are a few to choose from, each with its own unique theme, décor and style of music. The general atmosphere is one that could not really be describe but only experienced in person to fully grasp its uniqueness. Although Aix en Province is not on your regular list of places to see when traveling it really is one that needs to be explored. If you are looking for a destination to really lose yourself in or to surround yourself by some of the uniquest architecture in the world then Aix is definitely for you. It’s surrounded by countryside and is only a short drive away from some the most picturesque beaches you will come to see in France. There is a reason why they call it the city of poets, its beauty has inspired thousands to try and put into words what only the eye can see.
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