15 Things to Do in Aix-en-Provence
Aix-en-Provence is packed with art, culture, and all the beauty you would hope for in one of the most popular destinations in the South of France.
France is the most visited country on Earth. It shouldn’t surprise anyone that more people travel here than anywhere else. Located at the heart of Western Europe, it is a transportation hub and easily reached from anywhere in the world. For any traveler, there’s just so much to see and do in France. This is a country of history and culture…and wine.
While Paris has a great deal to offer travelers to France (and ought to be visited at least once in your life), there’s lots to see besides the capital. The war sites in Normandy are legendary, and it’s nearly impossible not to be moved there. The half-timbered buildings of Colmar stop visitors in their tracks. The wine regions of Champagne, Bordeaux, Alsace, and the Cotes du Rhone are among some of the best in the world. But there is no place quite like Provence, from Van Gogh’s residence and the Roman ruins to the regular markets and the wineries, it just doesn’t get any better than this.
We’ve also had the chance to visit France during the magical Christmas season. The stunning architecture is made even more lovely by the twinkling lights. Add to that the smell of mulled wine, gingerbread, and other treats, and you have quite a dreamy atmosphere.
Aix-en-Provence is packed with art, culture, and all the beauty you would hope for in one of the most popular destinations in the South of France.
Provence has something for just about everyone.
Brightly-colored vegetables spill forth from the stands. The aroma of roasted chicken drifts through the air while locals arrive for their daily baguettes. The ambiance at weekly markets – particularly at a Provence market – is addicting.
Endless vineyards, hillside towns, pastel villages, and cities packed with history–these are the places and sites that make the South of France an unmissable destination.
The history of the Christmas markets in Strasbourg, France, goes all the way back to the 12th century, so they’ve had a lot of time to perfect things to this degree…and it shows.
Christmas in Colmar is a dream. When you take a city that already looks like a gingerbread town and then deck it with wreaths, ornaments, and snow-covered trees, it’s hard to think of anything that feels more appropriate for the holiday season.
On the western edge of Provence is the brilliant city of Avignon. Here, cobblestone lanes lined with plane trees swirl within the city’s medieval walls. Outdoor cafes sprawl into the squares. Avignon is a very modern city with all the beauty, spirit, and French-ness that Provence has to offer.
Dazzling colors, canals, the wonder of half-timbered buildings that look like a perfect illustration—these are the things of Colmar, France.
Some places just seem to be made for photographers, and Colmar, France, is one of those cities.
Beginning in 1309, seven popes ruled the Catholic Church from Avignon, France, rather than Rome. To accommodate the needs of the Church and demonstrate its power, the Palace of the Popes was built on the banks of the Rhone.