France
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.
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.
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
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
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
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
Main road in the centre of Aix. Tree-lined, with cafes, restaurants and shops either side.
Beautiful in the summer.
It is a good place to get information on everything (accommodation, transport, tickets, etc).
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.
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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