Apartments ~ Aix-en-Provence

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These old apartments are in the city of Aix-en-Provence.  They are limited to four floors, because there are no elevators.  They are all walk-ups.  Charming, but tough with groceries if you live in the top floor.  I imagine that a piano would pose difficulties as well on moving day, without an elevator.

Chic Shoppers in Aix-en-Provence

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There is plenty of shopping in Aix-en-Provence, and these two young, chic shoppers got an early start.

Le Grand Hotel Roi Reni - Aix-en-Provence

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I had to laugh at the pretentious name of Le Grand Hotel Roi Reni, located in Aix-en-Provence.  I haven't Googled it, and I am sure that it is a very fine hotel, but the name struck me as funny.  It is on the way to old Aix-en-Provence, downtown in the square.

The Central Town Square Aix-en-Provence

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This is a picture of the central town square in Aix-en-Provence.  The cathedral is to the left, and city hall is directly behind the photographer.  This is looking at the cafes from the city hall perspective.

Pollarded Plane Trees

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This is a picture of the pollarded plane trees or plantane trees in downtown Aix-en-Provence.  Pollarding is a technique in France where all of the branches are cut off, leaving the big old stumps.  The tree regenerates many many little branches after this treatment.

The Modern Side of Aix-en-Provence

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There are some quite modern buildings in Aix-en-Provence.  As you drive to the old downtown square, you will see these modern apartment buildings.

Aix-en-Provence Street View on the Way to Downtown

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This is the street view as one approaches the downtown of Aix-en-Provence.  Downtown center, the streets are line with the plane trees or plantane trees and you can see the beginning of them in the left of this picture.

Papeterie Aixoise

A papeterie is a shop where they sell paper goods like post cards, calendars, greeting cards, wrap and general paper goods.  This one is located in the main town square of Aix-en-Provence.  Aixoise means it belongs to Aix.  The word Aix itself is a contraction of its old Roman name, Aquae Sextiae    which was a natural spring named after a Roman Consul Sextius Calvinus who found the town and gave his name to the spring.

Fountain Square

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This is one of the most painted fountain squares in Aix-en-Provence.  It is not too far from the center of town.

An Apartment Building in Aix-en-Provence

These are images of an apartment building in Aix-en-Provence where one can stay while taking French lessons in France.  This gives you the true feeling of living in a Provencal city.

Buildings in Downtown Aix-en-Provence

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These buildings are located in downtown Aix-en-Provence.  The bottom are shops and commercial and the other stories are walk-up apartment buildings.

Hotel de Ville, Aix-en-Provence

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The facade of the edifice of the Hotel de Ville, (city hall) in Aix-en-Provence is absolutely stunning.  The architecture is quite majestic and beautiful.

The Train Station in Aix-en-Provence

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I love the round clock cupola on the train station in Aix-en-Provence.  This is perhaps the only public building in Aix-en-Provence that doesn't have the classical French look to it.

Street View - Aix-en-Provence

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Once you hit Aix-en-Provence, the architecture changes.  Somehow it has the feel of Paris rather than Provence.  This is a street view as you drive toward Centre-Ville or downtown.  It does look Parisian.

L'Alsace En Provence

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This shop is fun.  It sells Alsatian products including wines in Provence.  Alsace is probably as far away from Provence in France as you can get.  It is cold and not as sunny as the south.  However, it does produce some superb white wines among other things.

Souvenir and Paper Shop

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A bookstore and postcard and souvenir shop is very colorful among the shops lining the square in Aix-en-Provence.

Entrance Archway to Aix-en-Provence.

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This is a living wall arch to the entrance of Aix-en-Provence.  Aix is a beautiful city that weaves a rich tapestry that goes back in time.