Beautiful Reception area at camping Arc-en-Ciel
We are so glad we came here! We’ve totally fallen in love with this amazing town, so eclectic and cosmopolitan, yet so very French! We are only sorry that we could only manage 3 days at this wonderful campsite, as it’s fully booked for tomorrow and we have to leave our pitch. In fact, we were very lucky to get it in the first place and be able to stay for 3 days, as we hadn’t booked (we never do). When we arrived on Thursday morning, I was initially told they didn’t have room for us, but the very helpful and friendly hostess found us a perfect pitch by the river, No 36, with lots of shade from a pine tree and the surrounding tall bamboo. We even have our own water fountain with an old-fashioned stone basin and we couldn’t ask for more: absolutely charming.
Out pitch shaded by pine trees and tall bamboo
Enjoying lunch in the shade surrounded by bamboo
The tall bamboo providing shade and privacy
Our very own water fountain with stone basin
The campsite is spotless, with roomy shower/toilet cubicles and ample space for washing clothes and dishes. There is also a large swimming pool and lovely views of Le Pont des 3 Saults, painted by Cézanne, and free WiFi! For 75€ for the 3 nights, we are more than pleased.
The river running through campsite with Le Pont des 3 Sautls
River running past right by our pitch
The large and cooling swimming pool
The town of Aix-en-Provence is a little jewel full of life, colour and delicious aromas. It is a place where you can let yourself be taken by your senses and every corner hides a treasure. On our first day, we visited the Musée Granet, where they are holding an exhibition of Pearlman’s Collection, which includes works by Cézanne, Manet, de-la-Croix, Van Gough, Picasso, Modigliani and others: a marvellous treat for Art lovers.
Busy Aix-en-Provence on a Friday morning, market day
The rest of the time we have enjoyed strolling gently through these quaint streets and marvelling at the town’s fountains and architecture, not least its Cathedral Saint Sauveur, that dates from V to XVII century. We visited this morning and it’s truly fascinating, with its Roman mosaics, Medieval triptychs and Renaissance paintings: a wonder to behold!
The Cathedral Saint Sauveur
A clock tower
We thoroughly enjoyed the large street markets selling everything you could possibly need and I am forever gob-smacked at the size of the fruit and vegetables here: a gigantic version of what we get back home and so aromatic and inviting. We came back loaded with nectarines, apricots, sanglier (wild boar sausage), herbs of Provence, cherries and assorted flavoured biscuits, such as aniseed, lemon, cinnamon and chocolate: truly delicious.
Enjoying a spot of shopping at the magnificent street market
Giant cherries!
Look at the size of those spring onions!
We’ve just come back from a meal out at Le Solferino restaurant on 3 Place d’Arménie, where we enjoyed lamb cutlets and salmon with a nice bottle of local Rosé, all very reasonably priced and most enjoyable, served by a very friendly and efficient waiter who spoke good English: a perfect way to end our visit to this adorable and welcoming city and I for one can’t wait to come back.
Strolling gently through town enjoying charming views
Quaint and chic
Fountain at Place d’Albertas
La Rotonde Fountain
Tomorrow, we are heading slightly north east – east of Manosque, to visit some lavender fields and hopefully buy some lavender products. I am really looking forward to that, as they look amazing in the pictures!
So very French!
