A shady square, Aix-en-Provence

Sunday
Magali and her family were having a big family party today, celebrating her Mother's and a cousin's birthdays, so the four of us were left to our own devices for the day. We chose to visit Aix en Provence. It was a shame Magali wasn't with us as she went to university in Aix, so knows the town pretty well. We headed first for the Tourist Office, which is located by the impressive la Rotonde fountain at the foot of the Cours Mirabeau, the main thoroughfare, lined with trees and grand houses built during the 17th and 18th centuries. We walked up Cours Mirabeau, passing several more fountains, and having a look at the market stalls along the one side. We had an early lunch at one of the many cafés , then went over to Saint Sauveur cathedral. On the way we passed by this attractive shady square. After a bit more wandering around the central area of town we returned to the car and drove to see Cézanne's studio, which has been left exactly as it was when he died. Cézanne is deeply associated with Aix. He was born there, died there, and apart from a couple do decades working in Paris and other areas of France, spent his whole life in and around the city. In fact, it's less than a ten-minute walk from his birthplace to his grave. Further up the road from his studio is the viewpoint of Mont Sainte Victoire, the subject of many of his paintings.

When we returned to Lauris, we had been invited to join Magali's family at her aunt and uncle's house, where the lunch party had been held, and in true French style, was only just beginning to wrap up as we arrived - in the late afternoon! We were offered a tour of their beautiful home, and then a drink and some cake. Then Magali took us for a walking tour of the village and the chateau gardens. In the evening we met up with Magali's two cousins at a wonderful ice cream place, that Jen had remembered from one of her previous visits. It was actually a fair drive away, but in a beautiful location on a hill and had a lovely long terrace facing the sunset. The ice creams came in a wealth of flavours, including many unusual ones, such as lavender, and you could choose your own mix of flavours or choose one of their impressive-looking selections. It certainly wasn't cheap, but made a lovely end to the day!