
Mana Espresso for a Fresh, Light Lunch in Aix
This café had only been open 9 weeks when I visited in August so it was good to revisit it and see how things were going. Young British owners Alex and Ben report lots of activity and it was certainly busy yesterday, maybe a result of being rated 2nd on …
This café had only been open 9 weeks when I visited in August so it was good to revisit it and see how things were going. Young British owners Alex and Ben report lots of activity and it was certainly busy yesterday, maybe a result of being rated 2nd on …

Le Tour de La Provence
2016 and Provence gets its very own cycle-race, for the first time. It will be taking place over three days, 23, 24 and 25 February and will be contested by 18 teams of 8 professional cyclists. Here are the stages: 23rd Aubagne to Cassis, 175km, mainly climbs 24th Miramas to …
2016 and Provence gets its very own cycle-race, for the first time. It will be taking place over three days, 23, 24 and 25 February and will be contested by 18 teams of 8 professional cyclists. Here are the stages: 23rd Aubagne to Cassis, 175km, mainly climbs 24th Miramas to …

New Novel set in Aix: The Mystery of the Lost Cézanne
This is the new novel, set in Aix, from local writer M.L. Longworth, and I have been glued to it for two days. It’s a real page-turner and I love all the familiar locations: a patisserie in the Cours Mirabeau, a body found in rue Boulegon, a car-ride out to …
This is the new novel, set in Aix, from local writer M.L. Longworth, and I have been glued to it for two days. It’s a real page-turner and I love all the familiar locations: a patisserie in the Cours Mirabeau, a body found in rue Boulegon, a car-ride out to …
Changes Ahead for Aix-en-Provence Market
Returning to Aix last week, it was good to see the textile market stalls back together in the Cours Mirabeau after being scattered around during the Christmas period; but further changes are afoot from June onwards and the stall holders are not happy. All three markets – textile, foods and …
Returning to Aix last week, it was good to see the textile market stalls back together in the Cours Mirabeau after being scattered around during the Christmas period; but further changes are afoot from June onwards and the stall holders are not happy. All three markets – textile, foods and …

Chagall Exhibition in Cannes
‘Les Couleurs de la Vie’ is a delightful exhibition of Chagall’s litho-prints which are on show at the Centre d’Art La Malmaison on Cannes’ swish La Croisette. Visiting Cannes from Aix really is like dropping into another world: palm trees, mimosa, orange trees; ladies dripping gold, fur coats and little …
‘Les Couleurs de la Vie’ is a delightful exhibition of Chagall’s litho-prints which are on show at the Centre d’Art La Malmaison on Cannes’ swish La Croisette. Visiting Cannes from Aix really is like dropping into another world: palm trees, mimosa, orange trees; ladies dripping gold, fur coats and little …

Ken Loach Films in Aix en Provence
Next week sees the start of a month of Ken Loach films at the Institut de l’Image (at the Cité du Livre). The British film-maker is known for his realistic directing style and for his socialism, which are evident in his film treatment of social issues such as homelessness and …
Next week sees the start of a month of Ken Loach films at the Institut de l’Image (at the Cité du Livre). The British film-maker is known for his realistic directing style and for his socialism, which are evident in his film treatment of social issues such as homelessness and …
MUCEM – New Expo on Algeria
This really is one of MuCEM’s more esoteric offerings, which we found a little baffling. The first few rooms are devoted to how the country was mapped and some of the beautifully precise work by various draughtsmen. The commentary (English panels as well as French) explains how this work, “Made …
This really is one of MuCEM’s more esoteric offerings, which we found a little baffling. The first few rooms are devoted to how the country was mapped and some of the beautifully precise work by various draughtsmen. The commentary (English panels as well as French) explains how this work, “Made …

Network Provence – Aix Event on Tuesday
There’s a special event being held next week to bring together women from across the area who want to promote their activities, whether they have a business or a club or a blog. Dynamic Rebecca Ronane recently launched Network Provence to reach out to local women.
There’s a special event being held next week to bring together women from across the area who want to promote their activities, whether they have a business or a club or a blog. Dynamic Rebecca Ronane recently launched Network Provence to reach out to local women.

Marseille at the Moment: Still Lifes
The Musée Regards de Provence is always worth visiting. The current exhibition, Vies Silencieuses, focuses on still-life paintings, many from the gallery’s collection of provencal art. But it starts with some 16th-century Dutch paintings, which are amazing in their faithful detail and feature peonies, stripy tulips, dewdrops, and butterflies.
The Musée Regards de Provence is always worth visiting. The current exhibition, Vies Silencieuses, focuses on still-life paintings, many from the gallery’s collection of provencal art. But it starts with some 16th-century Dutch paintings, which are amazing in their faithful detail and feature peonies, stripy tulips, dewdrops, and butterflies.
Baroque Music in Aix’s Hotel de Caumont
Aix’s lovely Hotel de Caumont is hosting an evening entitled ‘1715-1745: Hotel de Caumont et la vie musicale aixoise’ on Saturday. Leading local musician Guy Laurent will be leading the discussion and playing music from the period.
Aix’s lovely Hotel de Caumont is hosting an evening entitled ‘1715-1745: Hotel de Caumont et la vie musicale aixoise’ on Saturday. Leading local musician Guy Laurent will be leading the discussion and playing music from the period.