aixcentric

June is upon us and with it, so much to do. This post will just cover the upcoming weekend….with a listing for the rest of the month to follow.

Visitors to centre ville will no doubt have seen the preparations for ‘Salon Vivre Coté Sud’ in the Parc Jourdan.

It’s a seriously stylish exhibition of furnishings, fabrics, tableware and arts with sections on food and also on gardens.  This year the theme is ‘Bleu infini’,  the essence and the spirit of the Mediterranean.

There will be 260 exhibitors over the 4 days, 2-5 June.  Details: http://www.vivrecotesud.fr/en/

This is not to be confused with ‘C’est Sud’, an outdoor celebration of the talent of local school-children.  There will be activities in 12 different locations, including singing, dance, arts, theatre, circus.  My past favourites were exhibitions of children’s art the full length of the cours Mirabeau, and the year they built a bridge across it, using cardboard cartons.  Unforgettable.  We’ll see what  happens this year. Details: http://www.aixenprovence.fr/C-est-Sud-2017

And there’s more!

‘Rendez-vous aux Jardins’ started back in 2003 to highlight the many gardens to be visited in France.  Details of the full programme are here: http://rendezvousauxjardins.culturecommunication.gouv.fr/A-la-Une/Rendez-vous-aux-jardins-quinzieme-edition.

PACA has produced a 44-page guide to gardens throughout the region to support the weekend but it’s really useful to have for the whole year, especially if your visitors like Provencal gardens.

It’s available right now in the Aix tourist office and this photo shows you what to look for.

In town, the first Sunday of the month is also the opportunity to visit the municipal museums free, browse the old books fair in the Place de l’Hotel de Ville, or have a look at the antiquities/brocante stalls in the cours Mirabeau.

Alternatively, if you want to get out of town, there will be opportunities for picnics in local vineyards over the weekend.  I believe the deal is the vigneron provides tables, chairs and activities, and you bring family and food. Wine-tasting is clearly on the menu!  Details here: https://www.vigneron-independant.com/pique-nique

Sun is forecast – enjoy the weekend in Aix!