Every time I wander round town, there seem to be new shops …with others closing. Here’s a few I’ve just seen, followed by a long overdue heads-up on Aix’s Geant Casino whose transformation has made it a much more attractive bet.
First off, in centre ville, there’s a tiny shop, Chewo Couture, dedicated to alterations, situated just behind Monoprix. 
I’m not sure that it is new but it caught my eye this morning, with its nice display outside. These ateliers are such a brilliant idea – there are very few in the UK which is a pity as in my experience altering seams and hems is one for the professionals.
On to chocolate now. Puyricard Chocolates has opened a pop-up shop, or magasin ephemere, at 11 Cours Mirabeau, just for the Christmas season. It closes on 31st December.
And Riederer has re-opened its doors in Aix. The high-class patisserie which had been in business in the town since 1780, closed last year after some legal complications, so it’s good to see it back.
The red carpet is out at its new premises at the bottom of the cours Mirabeau (2 place Jeanne d’Arc); there are premises too in Gardanne and Cassis.
Across town now to Géant Casino which I have been meaning to add to the blog for some months. Its refurb with new stores in the mall is a big success. There’s a branch of 
Tiger which is has irresistible little presents and pocket-money toys, perfect for this time of year. Details: http://www.tiger-stores.fr/
Amongst the kiosks is a watch specialist who sells and fits new straps. I was very impressed with the service – not wanting ostrich, alligator or calf-skin on my wrist, the patient lady found a nice non-animal bracelet and took about 10 minutes to fit it, incorporating the original fastening so it all matched. Cost? Just the watch-strap!
There are lots of fashion shops, shoe shops and beauty specialists in the mall.
And I leave you with this image which made me smile, thinking of a French friend who declared that the French would never succumb to the British craze for heavily-ironic Christmas jumpers!
(Armand Thiery Homme if you are tempted!)
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