What is the first thing that comes to mind when you think of Aix-en-Provence? Is it the tree-lined Cours Mirabeau, with its elegant, sun-drenched buildings and cafés buzzing with activity? Maybe the many fountains that make Aix so famous? Or the city’s best-known hometown hero, the Post-Impressionist painter Paul Cézanne? …

Fountains and Roman Baths Aix-en-Provence is known as the City of Water. Settled in 122 BC by the Romans who found natural springs, they called the city Aquae Sextiae after one of their important consuls Sextius Calvinus. The “Waters of Sextius” provided the population with water (both hot and cold) …

As I have written previously, one of our favourite towns is Aix-en-Provence. The capital of Provence in the Middle Ages is about one hour and 15 minutes from our home in Sablet. Cousin Annick lives in a nearby village. One morning, a few months back, we headed there with our …

Aix en Provence is often referred to as the city of water. The Romans settled here in part due to ready access to natural springs. As the town began to take shape during the Middle Ages, there were hundreds of fountains created for domestic use. Today there are only about …

It’s hard to compete with a long list of magnificent, historically significant gardens in a country that includes gardens built for French royalty. The Palace of Versailles and its immaculate grounds are on your list of must-sees in Paris. Then there are the Jardins du Château de Fontainebleau south of …

Join me in Provence for a French immersion stay and learn about French painter Paul Cézanne and his atelier (workshop) in Aix-en-Provence.  That’s why I always have a lot of fun receiving students in immersion courses and sharing my love for this city and its region with them. Cézanne Fan …

Paris’s art, architecture, and fashion scenes have long influenced the rest of the country, including Provence. Ruby Boukabou, a passionate observer of Parisian art and architecture, has penned two indispensable books: The Art Lover’s Guide to Paris and The Architecture Lover’s Guide to Paris. These comprehensive guides, enriched with her …

Beautiful Gardens of Provence France has many magnificent, historically significant gardens built for French royalty. The Palace of Versailles and its immaculate grounds are on your list of must-sees near Paris. Then there are the Jardins du Château de Fontainebleau south of the capital and the stunning Château de Chenonceau …

Provence is known for its picturesque villages and stunning scenery, and the Luberon Valley has some of the most famous towns perched on hillsides, historically for defence purposes and provide lovely photos today. Below is our list of 10 villages that we considered must-sees in the Luberon Valley: Ansouis The …

Situated in the Bouches du Rhône, Aix-en-Provence may lack Marseille’s waterfront and beaches, but the beauty of Aix more than makes up for it. A day is hardly long enough to appreciate a city that began as a Roman settlement over 2,000 years ago. Spend some in Aix-en-Provence walking a …