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Posted on by Ella Valentine

Aix Marks the Spot

As my incredible semester in Aix starts to come to an end, I wanted to spend some time recounting a few of my favorite places I’ve visited . I hope this post will be useful to any future students coming to Aix-en-Provence. Consider this a list of my recommendations!

After trying over ten different bakeries in the city, I think the best croissant comes from Le Pain Quotidien. It’s a local bakery owned and run by two sisters, and their croissants are perfectly buttery and flakey.

A croissant with powdered sugar dusted on top sits on a grey plate. To the left is a latte with a heart design in the foam sitting on a smaller white plate with red and green trim. The two plates sit on a grey marble table.

Two pieces of chocolate cake sit on plates. Whipped cream, brown powder, a cherry, and a circular purple paper labeled Weibel sit on top of the cakes. Behind them are two jars of lemonade with mint and lemons slices inside the glasses. They all sit on a circular table with gold trim.

My overall favorite bakery would have to be Weibel; it’s well-known for a reason. The first day of my Food and Culture in the Mediterranean class my professor said we all had to try their pastries, and I couldn’t agree more. Their tiny cakes are intricate, unique, but inexpensive! I have so many great memories of meeting friends there for an espresso and a treat after class.

A museum gallery with several white marble sculptures on display. In the foreground, a statue of a man in historical attire points upward with his right hand, labeled “MIRABEAU.” Behind it, a nude female statue stands with her arms raised behind her head, and another partially visible statue appears further back. Two visitors stand near the entrance at the back, one facing the statues and the other facing a red-walled room with a round artwork.

I really enjoyed visiting as many museums and art exhibits as I could. Most museums in Aix are free if you show your student ID, or are at least very discounted, and they are absolutely worth the visit! My favorite museum is Musée Granet, particularly the sculpture room on the bottom floor! It’s such an incredible experience to have so many impressive artworks that are easily accessible. 

 Additionally, as a cat lover, Aix does not disappoint. The cat bookstore Mon chat Pitre is the perfect place to pick up a french book and pet some adorable cats. I found the cats here are incredibly friendly and always willing to say hi.

A white and grey cat sleeps curled up on a white and cream striped sofa, with a pink pillow underneath the cat An orange tabby cat with darker stripes is sitting on a wooden shelf among various cat-themed mugs and boxed products in a store. The cat is looking downward with a slightly curious expression. The shelf above has additional boxed mugs, and there is a strip of warm yellow LED lights illuminating the display.

I am not ashamed to admit I would go there sometimes just for cat cuddles . There’s also a cat cafe called Meows Cats Cafe. This is also such a fun time, although be prepared for more expensive prices and the possibility of having to wait. Also, there was no shortage of cats wandering the streets to say hi to!

For me, the city of Aix could not be more charming. I discovered so many gems around the city by aimlessly wandering or taking a different path home from class. I highly recommend taking time exploring and staying curious. I am going to miss living in a city so rich with history and beautiful artwork.

À bientôt !

Ella