Aix en Provence, France. Is Aix the prettiest town in Provence? Aix en Provence France is as chic as Paris but laid back and sunny. In this Aix en Provence vlog we visit Aix, a gorgeous city of golden stone and cheerful fountains where we find a true enjoyment of life — joie de vivre!
Aix en Provence France isn’t a hidden gem, but it is a fantastic gem. Aix is located in Southern France, in the Provence countryside, beloved by impressionist painters. It’s the birthplace of Cezanne. And while it feels as chic as Paris France, Aix is only about 45 minutes from fishing villages and dramatic, sunny nature in Cassis and Calanques National Park. Marseille and Nice are the closest airports.
Perhaps proximity to the coast contributes to the relaxed allure of Aix that we’ll show you in this Aix en Provence travel vlog. In the 17th and 18th centuries, Aix-en-Provence France was the capital of Provence when the city’s wealthy residents embellished it with elegant architecture, refined fountains, and picturesque squares. Today Aix en Provence France is a lively university city that captures our hearts with its contagious joie de vivre, and where to be on time for an appointment is to be 15 minutes late.
There are so many things to do in Aix en Provence. However, a local friend tells us that very best thing to do in Aix en Provence, the top of the top ten things to do in Aix en Provence is simply soak in the atmosphere. This is the kind of slow travel tip we love. It makes everything seem less touristy.
For this stop in Aix en Provence France, on our gap year or two of full time travel, we’re here in May on one of Aix’s 300 days a year of sunshine. Everywhere we turn there are fountains and statues and plane trees. The atmosphere starts to get more buzzy at the regal square, Place Richelme, site of the Aix market, the daily food market. Hugged by 17th-century buildings with their light blue shutters opened against golden walls, the market seems both alive and also like a trip back in history.
As we continue the Aix en Provence vlog, a few steps away In front of city hall, Place de l’Hotel de Ville, the Aix flower market explodes with color. In the Aix fruit and flower market, Joie de vivre can be as simple as playing cards while you work. Friendship is a priority in Aix en Provence France.
The fashionable but laid-back atmosphere settles over you. Somehow despite its popularity, Aix en Provence France still feels authentic. Seeing Aix in this new relaxed way, we feel like it’s a hidden gem right in front of your eyes. Immersive travel is the best.
By mid-day locals come back from the market and morning coffee and its all about lunch at a laid-back pace. No need to hurry over our meal, most shopkeepers in Aix en Provence close up until mid afternoon anyway.
Nicknamed the village of one thousand fountains, we’ve accidentally come upon all sorts during our morning wander. We bumped into fountains on the grand boulevard, on small cobbled streets, and even little back alleys.
And for some reason all this wandering around without any goal except to enjoy it makes Aix en Provence France suddenly feel like a less traveled destination, even though it’s a crowd favorite for anyone stopping in Southern France in the Provence region. That’s how you make a place that’s well on the map into a place that’s off the beaten path. It’s perfect for any trip to France!
Bye for now from Aix en Provence France, we hope you enjoyed this Aix travel vlog! Please join us next time for more travel vlogs on France, Italy, and Spain. And if you enjoyed this video please like and subscribe.
About Us
We’re Emre and Maia. Our videos feature local, authentic, and immersive experiences in Europe. We love to engage with people in their own language, while we spend a gap year or two being curious about everything! We’re passionate about travel and food and have been to 44 countries between us! Longing for simplicity and freedom, we put our remaining possessions in storage, and set out with a suitcase and carry-on each. We love slow travel because its a mindset that works whether you have a few days or a whole year!
We like to keep it real. We did not receive, nor do we ask for compensation from any of the enterprises shown in this video.
The happygolucky YouTube channel is a production of HAPPY GO LUCKY, LLC, Washington.
