Life in the Pink!

La vie en rose with Antoinette in Aix-en-Provence France

You are enjoying a picnic in the Jardin de Luxembourg with a newfound friend; swans and little boys with toy boats play carelessly in the water nearby. However, sometimes the hustle and bustle of Paris can become exhausting, and a change of scenery is necessary. She tells you that she knows the perfect place; something warmer, gentler, and chic too… Aix-en-Provence.

You’ll return to the city again, but now the south of France is calling your name. And really, who can resist the home of rosé. So you devour the rest of your baguette sandwich and catch the next four-hour train ride to Aix-en-Provence.

A biscotti, a cup of tea, and a good read - next thing you know you’ve arrived. With the picturesque houses and countryside out the window, it is easy to see how Cézanne would have drawn inspiration from birth.

The next day the sun is slightly sweltering, but the tables lined under pergolas offer some slight reprieve when the misters blow in your direction. You’ve already booked your first vineyard tour! And to your pleasant surprise find Jules, the tour guide, speaks perfect English. As you’re imagining all the pretty pink drinks you’ll try, Jules drives through a sea of purple. He stops the car, and you hop out; the tranquil scent strikes you immediately. Rows upon rows of lavender as far as the eye can see. The serenity rolls through the hills, and you gather handfuls into your pocket. Oh, c’est la vie!

After the tour, a good meal is much needed and you opt for a traditional Soupe au Pistou. The delicate balance of carrots, zucchini, and gruyere hit the spot with just enough room for a couple of Calisson cookies to satisfy your sweet tooth.

Now the most important chose à faire in Aix-en-Provence: shopping! And Cours Mirabeau is the number one avenue to see, there you’ll find all the stores and outdoor markets you need. Perfectly straight and lined with overarching trees, the street runs directly through the old town and is for locals and tourists alike.

Oof! The heat does not seem to let up here, eh bien.

But you catch on quick to the temperature and change of pace from Paris; buy a foulard and sunglasses, and cool yourself off at a fountain nearby. C’est bon, c’est bon.

As the sun starts to set (and it cools off a little), it’s evident that Aix-en-Provence is a town of wealth, which exudes itself in the rich and historic architecture. Yet it’s aristocratic roots doesn’t stop the city from coming alive at night. Each corner brings a different taste of singing and dancing, and you can’t help but join in on the amusement.

This calls for another glass of wine! You celebrate a quality first day in the south at Le Vieux Tonneau and finish out the night. Tomorrow calls for more shopping in the markets, and perhaps another dip in the fountain too…

So tell me, how will are you enjoying la vie en rose?

Au Revoir,

Antoinette