The ‘brocantes market’ in beautiful Aix en Provence is held on a wide boulevard shaded with trees and surrounded by fragrant flower displays.
The locals set out stalls under bright coloured umbrellas and hours can be spent wandering from one to another, enjoying coffee and pastries at the street cafes along the way. There is a wonderful eclectic mix of antiques from extravagant chandeliers and glamorous jewels to dusty books and agricultural ironwork.
The market has a lovely relaxed air; visitors can soak up the atmosphere created by the sunshine and chatter of the locals whilst searching for a little piece of treasure.

Place de Verdun: Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday
Google map: bit.ly/H2XobA

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On arrival at Domaine de la Brillane you are met with breathtaking views of Mont Sainte-Victoire - painted by Paul Cezanne – bursting yellow sunflower fields and the evocative scent of lavender, cementing the fact that you have arrived in Provence. Now in its eighth year, this family-run organic vineyard and b&b encourages guests to get involved with the vendange (grape harvest) and offers an introduction to the art and science of wine tasting. Bicycles are available to hire for exploring the surrounding villages, or you can just unwind in the Provençale countryside. Just 7km north of Aix-en-Provence, La Brillane epitomises rural France and boasts a wine cellar stocked for eternity. C'est magnifique!

Tel: +33 4 4254 2144
www.labrillane.com
Doubles from €130 including breakfast

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Clean, cheap and basic accommodation within the town centre just next to the Cours St-Louis. Perfect for those on a budget just wanting a base and roof over their head in the evening. Double room was €40 a night with a breakfast of coffee, croisants, bread and jams, included.

0442 381177 Centre Historique
69 boulevard Carnot, 13100 AIX en Provence, France
+33 4 42 38 11 77

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A Frenchman told me that the TGV from Aix to Paris is a fair bit cheaper and faster than from nearby Les Arcs.

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Fondation Vasarely - a little down on its luck, but so worth visiting -for the building and the art, and the shop. Just a short bus ride from central Aix, by the Bus 4 and 6 - stop Fondation Vasarely.

www.fondationvasarely.fr/index_fl.html

www.aixenprovencetourism.com/aix-vasarely.htm

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A 16th-century chateau set in beautiful grounds with a wonderful restaurant.

In the summer you eat on the terrace beneath linden trees.

Elegant without being pompous.

Set behind the shopping/commercial estate of les Milles just outside Aix off the Marseilles road. You go through the grand gates and into another century.

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Go gliding with multiple world record holder Klaus Ohlmann - he's the best glider pilots in the world and in one flight will fly you from Provence to Switzerland and back. Soaring at 4,000m above the Alps is pretty spectacular.

www.quovadis.aero/fr/index.asp

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The small mountain that Cezanne endlessly painted is worth viewing from either a painterly distance or more closely, and is surrounded by beautiful countryside. The colour of the stone is said to change with the light, which is perhaps why it fascinated Cezanne so much.

East of Aix near the village of Tholonet.
www.aixenprovencetourism.com/aix-sainte-victoire.htm

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A very pretty cathedral that nestles among the narrow streets. It has a very ancient looking gothic-style carved door, a beautiful cloistered area and is built over a baptism pool from the 4th century.

Rue Gaston de Saporta

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This is a relaxed and inexpensive alternative to a hotel in the centre of town. One bedroom flats with kitchen and bathroom with access to a small garden. The owners are very helpful and knowledgeable and they speak English, French and German. The only drawbacks are the seven nights minimum stay and at the moment it is only open in the summer, but at €250-300 a week they are a bargain.

16 rue Vendome
13100 Aix-en-Provence;
0208 968 6293 (UK);
Nearest Airport: Marseille

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On a hill on the outskirts of town is the house where the artist lived and worked and you can view his studio which, it is claimed, is exactly as he left it.

9, Avenue Paul Cezanne;
www.atelier-cezanne.com/aix-en-provence.html

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Main road in the centre of Aix. Tree-lined, with cafes, restaurants and shops either side.

Beautiful in the summer.

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It is a good place to get information on everything (accommodation, transport, tickets, etc).

www.aix-en-provence.com

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A celebration of the works of Cezanne with exhibitions and festivities around Aix en Provence from the 9th of June to 17th of September 2006.

www.cezanne-2006.com

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It is a museum in a beautiful, tranquil park. The museum costs €3, but the park is free with a children's playground.

32 rue Célony
Tel : 04 42.21.05.78

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