Are You Sporty? Yes We Are!

LOCATION:

Aix-en-Provence, France

 

Before coming to Aix, my only impression of the area was from an Anthony Bourdain Food Network show. I was a little scared when we first got there - we arrived at the bus station and were met with construction and confusing streets. We found the tourism office though, and asked about climbing the mountain we had seen from the bus on the way into the city, Mont Saint-Victoire. The tourism office woman informed us it would take about 2-3 hours to reach the top, "if you are sporty." Lauren and I decided we were sporty enough to give it a go, and set out early the next morning. While preparing for our hike we learned that this particular mountain had inspired artist Paul Cezanne, who hails from Aix.

Cezanne's rendition of the mountain.

 

The real mountain. See that teeny cross at the top? That was our goal!

Almost to the top, we reached the church about ten minutes after this picture.

Admiring the view from the top!

Lauren and I were so proud of how sporty we were! It took about four hours total, but was so worth it! We really climbed a mountain!

 

After our hike (and a hot shower!) I rewarded myself with a Ricard, which is a drink from the Provence region. It tastes a little like black licorice, and they serve you the pure alcohol with water so you can cut it down as much as you like. Surprisingly refreshing after a mountain climb!

My first Ricard. Looks like lemon, but tastes like licorice.

 

Aix was cool, not only for the Cezanne influences, but also for the overall small town charm. March is definitely the off season, but we were still surprised by the quiet and slower pace than even Bordeaux and especially Paris.

Cezanne!

 

A Cezanne in the making??

The last high point of Aix was the Cathedrale Saint-Saveur. I have been in France for ten days now - and have been in at least that many churches - but this one was my favorite so far. We went at 8 in the morning so it was eerily quiet, but after seeing the Baptistere (Baptismal Fountain) Lauren used her super awesome French language skills to get us early access to the cloisters. It was a small courtyard, but each one of the columns was carved in a different way, it was really beautiful.

 

The baptisterie - the painting behind it helps me imagine what it might have looked like.

 

The cloisters, such a calming and quiet courtyard.

 

Aix has been lovely, but I am excited to get back to a larger city, Marseille! It is only about a twenty minute train ride away, but is the second largest city in France and has been named as the cultural capital of Europe for 2013!

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