Having just returned to Aix after some weeks away, my second shock (after seeing the excavations in front of the Palais de Justice being filled in – inevitable I know) was to see the gaps in the Cours Mirabeau where plane trees had been. I had read about the ‘chancre …

It was a surprise when ‘Happy Days’, the café in the corner of Place Richelme was demolished before Christmas; it always seemed busy. But now Le Petit Bistrot is in its place and it is a delightful place to have a petit dej’, coffee or hot chocolate.Wide choice of wines, …

What a mess the town centre is with the travaux for the new bus route and the simultaneous archaeological dig and renovations at the Place des Precheurs. But then no pain no gain…no omelettes without breaking eggs, and all that good stuff. The bus drivers seem to be bearing the …

The former convent and college des Precheurs in Aix Centre Ville has been sold for 11.5 million euros to house an extensive collection of Picasso’s works—2,000 in all—including paintings, ceramics, and sculptures. The Musée Jacqueline et Pablo Picasso will be the third museum in France to be in France to be …

With Chandeleur in France and Pancake Tuesday in the UK, February is a good time to whip up batter for pastries and crepes. But if you prefer to buy something in town, there are many choices. The traditional pets de nonnes – nuns’ farts  – are in the artisanal boulangeries in town – just under …

You may well have found your dream location in Provence, but eventually life has a tendency to kick in wherever you are & that’s when Life Coaching can be useful. Coaching can be expensive and not everyone feels comfortable in a one to one situation, that’s only a couple of …

Candy might not be the reason you decide to visit Aix-en-Provence, but don’t leave town without sampling the famous Calisson d’Aix. These sweets, made with ground, local almonds (sweet and bitter) and a fruit paste blend of melon confit (preserved in sugar) and orange peel, were officially recognized as part …

Sébastian and Agnes Krier shared the following about their architecture and design boutique, “Ce lieu ne pouvait que s’appeler Ouvrage: ce qui est produit par l’ouvrier, l’artisan ou l’artiste, le résultat du travail de ses mains et donc son œuvre.” This place could not be called anything but “Ouvrage.” The …

A bit shocking to come back to Aix and find two burger bars about to open in town, one each end of the Cours Mirabeau! ‘J’aimerais qu’ils aillent ailleurs’, said Mayor Marysse Joissans, but they must have had a green light as ‘Five Guys’ opens in a few days. This …

Cézanne finds himself marooned between the Foire aux Santons and woolly jumpers at the textile market. It seems strange having the Aix-en-Provence Christmas markets starting up against such a bright blue sky and warm sun, but there we are – the chalets are built and the children’s rides are already …