This is a lovely spot. We stayed at a Hotel (Renaissance Aix-en-Provence) where we had our first good meal of the tour. We couldn't believe it. The hotel staff were really helpful, the rooms were perfect, there were extras ( including almost unheard of tea and coffee and a jug) and it was the start of a perfect 2 night stay.
Wouldn't mind living in one of these apartments around this ancient square.
In Aix-en-Provence, we strolled around the cobbled streets on a guided tour, saw a church/ Cathedral or two ( J stays outside for most of these now), viewed markets and then went to a cooking demonstration and eat lunch at the venue.
Me with les chats - I know French for cats - even though I don't even like cats! I'm such a wiz at foreign languages with my five words of French I learnt at school
While the cooking demonstration was good I wouldn't rate it as one lady did as "the highlight of the tour so far". Still, as I say "People are different and thank goodness we are as life would be very boring if we were all the same"
I did see a beautiful tutu just right for Ally and Milly. Shell- you'll have to rush over and buy a couple!
I could just imagine Milly with all these Pom Poms - but not in Qld summer!
Marseille
This was an optional tour and only a short drive from Aix but we could have spent more time there.
There were many more things than the Cathedral but I'll basically leave that to the other J.
Another Church/ Catheral - Notre Dame up so high - 100 steps and then you could take a lift ( we did) or go up more steps. If you were arriving in a car rather than a coach I think the number of steps could have been halved but the Good Lord wasn't granting me any such favours still. So my aching knees almost dropped off again at Notre Dame Marseille and this time I persuaded J to come in with me to the Basicilla as it is a little different.
Striking figures outside - that you may view provided you haven't died after climbing up at least 50 steep steps. Good opportunity to draw breath and ponder ( or pretend to do so) as you figure "Do I really, really want to move from here or more importantly, am I physically able to move without collapsing."
Stairs, stairs and more stairs.
Very Moorish influence
"Comic strips" about the war and Cathedral
Hard to make out, but hanging from the golden circle in the ceiling, are trails of little boats, planes etc signifying the importance played during World War.
Cathedral high on hill viewed from Port of Marsellies. It is sooooo high up and my knees may never recover.
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