I’m really enjoying my short break in France. Outside the immediate area around the Old Port which is pretty touristy, Marseille really is just a just a big, modern city that is going about its business. I’m not going to hold that against it, but yesterday I headed to Aix en Provence to get a dose of a slower pace and a more comfortable atmosphere. Aix did not disappoint and was as warm and lovely as I remember it from my previous visit in 2010.
In the morning I hiked to the rail station from my hostel and purchased my ticket for the next of the frequent trains to Aix which is a 40 minute ride from Marseille. As many of the people on the train seemed to be young people I figured they were headed to the university in Aix. I love riding trains. It is so relaxing watching the countryside rush by.
I spent most of the day just wandering through the old part of the town. I enjoyed a lovely lunch in one of the squares under the tall shade trees amongst the warm yellow stone buildings. To my eyes everything in Aix said warmth – probably just because I like the yellow so much!
Lavender bunches scenting the sunny air
After my lovely day of wandering, I decided to have a proper dinner last night at a nice restaurant amongst the never ending parade of establishments around the port back in Marseille. Most of the restaurants have prix fixe menus which are pretty good and include a starter, main, and dessert for a decent price.
Rocket salad with parmesan cheese
Duck with veggies
Chocolate mousse
Bearic, the luxury loving lush, voted for a wine selection from the “carte grande réserve” but I settled for a glass of the house red which was quite satisfactory.
The food was pretty good, but am I crazy that a meal shouldn’t take 2.5 hours to complete? I ran right up against the famed lack of service in French restaurants as I was promptly ignored for most of the evening and struggled for 30 minutes just to pay the bill. It was totally ridiculous but definitely an experience!