A short bus or car ride from the center of Aix-en-Provene, Sainte Victoire is the perfect one day…read moreexcursion. There are several hikes to chose from, ranging in difficulties and different terrain. The hike I did took about four hours, two up and two down. Not having much experience in hiking I found the route well marked and fairly accessible, it did pose some difficulties but it was one of the harder routes. Once at the summit the views are breathtaking across the Provence country side. To the south the sea and to the north the Alps. Well worth the two hour climb. Be aware of the cooler temperatures at the top of the mountain and make sure to stick to the suggested routes or you may find yourself in difficulty.

brilliant, proper french feel with great weatherread more

I'd been to Aix a couple of times before I "discovered" the Passage Agard. Actually, I first read…read moreabout it in M. F. K. Fisher's The Boss Dog, and went there on my next trip back to Aix. The entrance is blocked by a door (although a sign above it says "Passage Agard"), so, at first you might think it's only the entrance to a building. In reality, it's a narrow passageway between the Cours Mirabeau, and the Place Verdun and the Palais de Justice. At first, near the Cours, it's covered, but then not, so there's sunlight. In M.F.K. Fisher's day, there was a music shop (voice and instrument lessons were given), a butcher shop, a typewriter shop, etc. Now (or at least about a year ago, the last time I went), there's a Sephora, a shoe store, a place that sells pizza (very good), etc. It's a very interesting place, and a great short cut between the Cours Mirabeau and the Palais de Justice. I was almost tempted NOT to write about it for fear that more people would discover it!

Wow! What a fantastic dam. Forget Cezanne and Picasso and the Mont St Victoire, if you're in…read moreProvence why not visit the site of some serious civil engineering instead? It was built by Joseph Rigaud between 1946 and 1951 and stores up to 40 million cubic metres of water. It's no 3 gorges, but it's certainly more pretty.

You can take the lift to the top floor and explore the rooftop terrace and pool. There are great…read moreviews over the whole city. Also there is a bar/restaurant on the 3rd floor.