Wednesday, May 4, 2011 found us in Toulon, France. Although this was the first time we had been to Toulon, we have visited the French Riviera area many times and decided to take an excursion into the heart and capital of Provence: Aix.
The drive through the beautiful green countryside was easy and enjoyable, passing vineyards and lovely hillside villages. Upon our arrival in Aix we began our extensive walking tour (we tended to do lots of walking tours on this World Cruise) at the beginning of the old city.
We began in the medieval part of the old city walking very narrow streets winding our way to our first stop the Cathedral of the Holy Saviour (Cathedrale Saint Sauveur). The Cathedral is build on the side of a former Roman forum and contains a mixture of all styles of architecture, featuring beautifully carved doors. Inside you find tapestries, a triptych, and a baptism with a dome supported by Roman columns.
Continuing on we passed numerous small boutique shops and bakeries where we just had to pick up a loaf of deliciously just baked bread to nibble on as we wandered! Next we found ourselves in a square with a beautiful hotel and several sidewalk cafes. Alongside is the famous clock-tower that was built in 1510. Everywhere we looked we saw beautifully ornate buildings, fountains and plazas, the joy of old cities.
Rounding a corner we entered a large square set up with the daily market, what gorgeous, colorful vegetables for sale, along with cheeses and other various items. As we begin to leave the old city and enter the more “modern” areas we begin to see very upscale stores with all the brands we and love. Soon we turn another corner and find ourselves on the Cours Mirabeau.
As we turn the corner there is a delicious smelling pizza stand. Looking at our watch we discover it is past lunch but the tour continues. Several blocks down the street we come to the large fountain near the Visitor’s Center where we will meet to return later. We have been set free for the next 3 hours to explore on our own. Off to lunch!
Back tracking down Cours Mirabeau, the beautiful wide boulevard with trees in the middle, mansions on one side, business, cafes on the other and fountains down the middle, we find our pizza stand. Yummy but only takeout and where to eat? We find a bench strategically located right in front of the very famous Deux Garcons brasserie built in 1792, and has been frequented by Paul Cezanne, Emile Zola and Ernest Hemingway.
Completely satisfied, we head off to explore more sites, mostly fountains and houses, more cathedrals and lots of people watching. Our day was complete.
