Our trip to Provence was a very enjoyable experience … there is something quite different about the South of France … way more laid back than the rush and business of Paris.
We stayed in a little city called Aix-en-Provence … which featured many cool fountains, they seem to be hidden around every corner.
They had cool old buildings too … older than Paris I think and not so many tourists … although when we did see tourists they came in packs with a leader carrying a numbered paddle and speaking in American accents.
The streets were narrow and cobbled and a wonderful maze to get lost in with interesting little shops along the way … I’ve taken many photos of doors and street lamps.
This is the view from our hotel room on the morning of my birthday … it was exciting to see that golden sunlight spreading over the buildings because we’d had 2 drizzly wet kind of days previously.
The markets were great … Michael particularly liked this stand on the left which had piles and piles of mushroom like fungi … then we found the cheeses and barrels filled with olives … and beautifully fresh fruit and veges.
Of course I was more interested in the secondhand/antique wares. I found a few smallish things to purchase … more lace and old keys.
On the afternoon of my birthday we bought a bus ticket and hopped on the first bus that came along. It turned out it was going to a little place called Jouques. Birthday lunch (ordered in French) was a crepe with banana, nutella and cream … nutella is very big here … it seems to be the most popular filling for crepes and comes in the most giant containers ever.
The old part of the little town was very fun to explore … sort of built into the hillside and the houses were on even narrower streets than we’d seen yet. In fact it was almost as if the houses were just part of the old stone wall.
We climbed to the top of the hill to find the ruins of the old church building. The light seemed especially amazing … apparently famous artists appreciated the light in Provence too.
We took the fast train back to Paris on Friday … and when they say fast they mean really, really fast … although I didn’t feel quite as sick on the way back.
And then we dressed up and went out to the ballet at the opera place. Such an amazing building … and our seats were up in the little balcony type bits. Our little section had enough seats for about 8 people and it’s own little dressing room with a mirror and coat hooks.
And this is us with Raymond and Michelle … the best bed and breakfast/tour guides in Paris … although it would be helpful if Raymond carried a little paddle with a number on it so we could find him in the crowds!
We have 2 days left here in Paris now before making our way home … today’s plan is to go up the Eiffel tower.
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