Southern of France part 1: Aix en Provence

Published by flag-id Indi Sari — 3 years ago

Blog: Under My Tiny Feet
Tags: flag-cz Erasmus blog VSCHT, VSCHT, Czech Republic

We checked out from our hostel in Nice at around 5:30 AM to get the cheapest train as always. No pain no gain, guys, another morning train to catch: OUIGO train. They were super on time, strict and well-organized. I slept really well in the train and we arrived at Aix en Provence after two hours. It was super cold and I was kind of shocked that the train station for TGV is out of the city and we needed to take the shuttle to the city center. This was my 5th city of this week trip so I didn’t really check on everything. So actually when at the end, I recounted on my travel expenses it was not cheaper at all.

Southern of France part 1: Aix en Provence

This is going to be a short yet unique half-day trip in Aix en Provence. We started from Gare Routier to the tourism office to plan our walk. We started with the main shopping alley: Cours de Mirabeau which was the famous avenue of Aix en Provence decorated by two rows of plane trees and fountains. There was also a small Christmas market here with caroussel and cute vehicles with beautiful drivers (this really surprised me) that could bring you around the town comfortably. Cours de Mirabeau looked average at the beginning maybe because we were super tired so it was kind of hard to warm up but turned out at the end of the day it was stunning. Also, today we got our backpacks with us so it was truly torturing my back. How can a person be a backpacker when you can have a suitcase? Please someone answer me. I know this city thanks to a famous Indonesian Instagram influencer: Ayla Dimitri who was invited to a Lux (soap brand) event here during spring and summer. I know I chose the wrong weather, but guys, all we need is a plan execution. 

Southern of France part 1: Aix en Provence

Then, luckily we saw this tour group and followed them secretly. It was a family tour from an office. However, I really appreciate the city tourist map of Aix en Provence, it was super compact and clear with very detailed different classifications of sites.

So we found this ultra famous fountain in Place d’Albertas. It was there since the roman area. The tour guide lady said that roman people loved to have water everywhere around the city so that is the reason behind why they have fontain everywhere. Perhaps also why we have tons of fountains in Italy. As the background was yellowish stone building bordering the fountain which makes it has more and more vintage looking. 

Southern of France part 1: Aix en Provence

Just near the fountain we found a very vivid local market with the goodness of local organic products. I actually wanted to taste the honey but I was too lazy to bring it in my backpack. I was in love with the ambience of the local market which is actually hidden behind the high walls and shops. At a glance, this city has the same atmosphere as Montpellier, the city where I lived in my 1st semester, but  I don’t know in the sense of more lovely. 

Southern of France part 1: Aix en Provence 

Here is the city mayor building. We walked around and had our bananas for brunch. The more we walk, the more we feel the beauty of Aix en Provence. This city is like an expensive rare flower that really is aware of its own beauty yet not exposing it that easy to stranger. She opens up little by little. She is like Blair Waldorf in Yale interview mode. Do you find me a geek after reading this phrase? It is a nice city to relax and visit the tiny boutiques among the tiny streets and have your fruit smoothies at the fountains. 

Southern of France part 1: Aix en Provence

Then we randomly chose to go to Pavillon Vendôme, which was surprisingly beautiful. It was 3.50 euros but no one was visiting the interior so we just enjoyed the park. It was kind of strange to findthis mini palace among residential area. I was not focused that I didn’t realize that I could have taken the photo of palace reflection on the water. Lots of parents walk their baby strollers here and some have dogs instead. I sometimes don’t really get how big the love for dog is here in Europe haha.

Southern of France part 1: Aix en Provence

Southern of France part 1: Aix en Provence

We had our lunch in a random hot dog stall and strolled around to find Hotel de Caumont.But it was 11 euro and my friend didn’t really feel to spend that money for art so we just strolled until we found the Cathedrale and Museum Garnet. It was closed due to Christmas holiday. I was amazed by the different manholes for greywater, blackwater, gas, potable water: a typical environmental engineering features. 

Southern of France part 1: Aix en Provence

Basically, this city praised Paul Cezanne. I should have known that my last cities were full of remarkable artists. Yesterday, between the trip to Cannes there was also close to Renoir museum. Anyway, we just spent the rest of the day walking through the shopping center and found an interesting theatre with nice architecture. I tried to take a photo of it but the lighting was bad.  

The most memorable thing about this trip was I did my very 1st stupid mistake in this whole trip: we went back with that expensive shuttle to the station and realize we should not. The true train station was just besides the theatre so we panicly  took the nearest shuttle back to the city again and running like crazy. Our bank cards didnt work at the bus and the driver was kind of annoyed. Thanks Universe that we succeeded to catch the train, 5 mins earlier. If we lost this train I didn’t know how to get back to Montpellier because we needed transit in Marseille again. 

Southern of France part 1: Aix en Provence

So beware: My mistake was because both station has exactly same name (Aix en Provence) but one is for TGV one not for TGV and I wasn’t aware of which type of train we have for home. So guys, be early at everything, so you can save time even when the silliest mistake happen.

Overall, Aix was exquisite even though it wasn’t the season to explore the wine tasting. I suggest you to go here in spring or summer to be able to explore until Provence where we can have the beautiful lavender fields. I slept super well on our back home from Marseille when reality slapped me that I only had 3 weeks left to study. And I really recommend this place as top honeymoon destination for an artsy couple. The city is not that crowded with tourists, and go here in summer. This is a perfect place for a week stay of honey moon. No jokes. 


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