Rain was the unexpected alarm clock that woke us up for the market in Aix (pronounced by saying "X".) Every Thursday Aix has a large colorful Provencal market: Fruit, vegetables, cheese, clothes, pottery ware, linens, brocante, flowers… but not today.
The when someone comes from another country to visit, rain should not stop you from taking the view in, even if it soaks you. We piled on rain gear and headed to Aix.
Cours Mirabeau in winter with rain isn't as lovely as a sunny day in summer. But the Pizza on the corner of "Les Deux Garcons" is never closed and serves up the best without fail. Les Deux Garcons history, atmosphere is tempting, but the Capri pizza stand on the side is far better for flavor and local color. It cannot be missed. This is a secret you will want to mark down: LOCAL FLAVOR and COLOR Capri Pizza in AIX. Simple, fast, delicious and inexpensive.
I know what you are thinking… or I should say I guess I know what you might be thinking:
Where is a photo of the Cours Mirabeau?
Where is a photo of Les Deux Garcons? Or a least a photo of the PIZZA!
Yeah, yeah, I know I am a flake. Door knockers, shutters, brocante… instead of facts and figure.
True photo journalism: Take photo of Pizza.
Instead: I eat it, wipe my mouth, then think, "Oh look at the peeling shutter, so cool, so local color!"
Why any of you follow me is beyond me. I am a poor tour guide. Instead of point to the historical fact, you most likely will be eating Italian pizza on the most famous street in Aix. But I guarantee you will remember IT!
Place d' Albertas in Aix en Provence.
A bit of touristic information…
"In the very center of the old city lies a reminder of the preferred hobby of gentleman with a little extra time and money to spend: A brothel. Town legend has it that Aix's prostitutes made their home on the Rue Espariat.
In 1745, Georges Vallon Jean-Baptiste d'Albertas bought a private house on the Rue Espariat, hoping to showcase his wealth through dramatic architecture and style. What he did not realize was that he had moved next door to the ancient brothel, whose second-story balconies featured metal-work penises as a way of announcing the house to potential customers." Via Atlas Obscura
Instead of taking a photo of the balconies, I took a photo of a bird on the fountain that was created in 1920 something. I am truly a ding dong when it comes to doing the normal expected thing.
I once wrote about the Albertas Park…
We walked by a chain bakery called Jacob's that has a charming interior, they use old furniture to display their baguettes.
With lovely baskets to showcase their baked goods.
Photogenic place.
French Husband noticed the French chocolate chip cookies at Jaclob's and had to have one.
"Your mother's are so good." He offered. Anyone who knows French Husband knows he loves to say, "So good." for most everything worthy. Though my mother's chocolate chip cookies are superior to any French chocolate chip cookie I have ever had.
My mother does not live in France, and my chocolate chip cookies are not happening, Jacob's had some so he bought one.
And being the French tour guides that we are, I am throwing French Husband into the mix since it was his idea to buy and share a chocolate chip cookie. We bought a cookie instead of a baguette.
So French we are in Aix with Alice from Australia.
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