Spending time in one of France’s most lovely towns is a pleasure. Aixcentric looks at some of the fun things happening; we find good books, interesting places to eat and highlight new shops. Plus there are bits of news and profiles of the people who are behind it. Let’s get the most out of this beautiful part of France!
Add a comment to the site or send recommendations to: aixcentric@yahoo.co.uk
Profile: Lynne has had a career in journalism and international marketing communications.
“When we arrived in Aix in 2003, I was thrilled to be in the south of France with at last time to enjoy everything it has to offer. I spent 4 years editing an expat magazine then, in 2011, launched Aixcentric. Its remit was to pass on details of events or new restos (startups or new-to-me) but I now also post on anything interesting going on in town and elsewhere in Provence as things catch my eye. So it is a bit of a ragbag of information which I hope is helpful and interesting for all my followers. Two thousand plus posts later, I still find Aix a fascinating subject to cover.”
It isn’t meant to be a comprehensive website. There are lots available now if you want listings. And, despite my double-sourcing of info, there are often last minute changes (…fermeture exceptionelle anyone?) so please phone ahead if you are making a journey to an event.
I hope you enjoy Aixcentric and that it adds to life for locals and the many people elsewhere who love Provence.
Do you have a twitter handle? I just tweeted one of your book reviews.
Such a great site you’ve been awarded Versatile Blogger status http://happinessstanlives.wordpress.com/2012/01/03/i-won-the-lottery/
That’s exciting – thank you for the nomination – my first award!!
Your site is exactly what I’ve been looking for, a way to stay informed about what is happening in our new town despite my paltry French. Thank you!
I wonder if you know anything about the geocaching event that took place last night in the centre-ville–groups of young adults, families and singles wearing headlamps and following map instructions to find various checkpoints around town. What a fun way to explore the town!
Hello – Glad you are find the website helpful. I haven’t heard of your event and wish I had as I could have posted it – it sounds brilliant fun. If there is anything you hear of in future, do let me know as it is quite a job trying to figure out what is happening round here!
Really great variety and interesting finds. I will keep reading!
Thanks, Lynne!
Hi Lynne,
Very keen to spread the word about this survey on Heathrow flight demand. Can we put it out on the AAGP onelist? It would be really great for us too. My husband has spent alot of time over the last 4 years driving to Nice so that he can connect at Terminal 5 to all over the world.
Love the blog,keep up the good work!
Jane Knight
Hi – I put it on the One List and have had replies from people filling it in. A direct flight to Heathrow would be fantastic. Do pass on the survey to as many people as poss. Thanks for the kind comments!……….Lynne
Hi there:
A little bit away from Aix, but we’ve been waiting for spring so we could see Chateau Les Baux’s medieval ‘war games’ demonstrations (before the high tourist season), and in April during the school holiday, one can see how catapults work and fire crossbows at the archery demonstration (these continue then through summer until fall). The setting is a lovely one for a picnic lunch, and the windy views were stunning, everything still very green.
Ps. Someone asked me about listening to opera in the summer evenings in Aix…is there a festival?
Hello – thank you so much for the ideas for families at Les Baux. Excellent input.
On the musical front, there is the big Aix Festival which starts at the end of June and runs through most of July. The website is http://www.festival-aix.com. It’s extremely popular so it would be a good idea to get tickets while you can. Another idea is to have a look at http://www.orchestre-philharmonique-du-pays-dAix.fr – this symphony orchestra tours the surrounding villages each summer and it is a wonderful experience to sit out under the stars and listen to the music. This year, it’ll be 21st June-8th July – exact dates not released yet but you can register for their newsletter. There is also activity around the ‘Musique dans la Rue’ festival 3rd week in June so keep a look-out for details (they are usually released quite late). The main music night is 21st June when the whole of centre ville is alive with bands and pop-groups – I love it but best to go early as in recent years it’s been getting a bit out of hand after dark. Good luck!
Dear Lynne, I subscribe to you blog and add a link on mine ! We share the same love to Provence, would you mind adding my blog link on yours ? Thanks Claire Provence Hand Made
http://www.provencehandmade-eboutique.com/blog
Hi – I will add a blog-roll soon. Best wishes – Lynne
Hello Lynne, as an America expat permanently ensconced in Aix, I am loving your blog, which I only just discovered. It provides the the valuable, “hmmm, wonder what I should do this weekend” tips that one seeks out only at the last minute it seems. A note that you might want to try Les Agapes (11 Rue des Bernardines) sometime. They offer delicious Provence comfort food at very reasonable prices, and have a fireplace going so perfect for a winter meal.
I look forward to more great reading here. Thanks again!
– Bill Magill (http://billmagill.com/)
Thank you for the tip. I have read good reports on this resto and look forward to trying it out. Glad you enjoy the blog and thank you for contributing.
Hi Lynne
Just discovered Aixcentric. You are so informative.
We have been visiting Aix for several years, first camping at Arc en Ciel then buying a holiday apartment in Aix.
All this time we have struggled to get information from Aix Tourist Office, to find out about fetes and events in the area – at times having to rely on posters on trees etc!
We are looking forward to our next visit in May and your Blog will keep us up to date with what’s happening.
Hello – Glad the blog has been useful for you!
Hi Lynn, Thought you might like to know …. we were just at Parc Jourdan this morning and there was a work crew dismantling all the playground equipment. I asked if there was going to be some new stuff coming and if I understood correctly then there will be some new things installed. I think he said that it would be in about a month’s time.
Excellent – thanks for the heads-up. Had the carousel disappeared completely? I’ll investigate when I get back.
What a great blog, thank you so much for your time to let us all know what’s going on in Aix and its surrounding areas!
Mary
great great blog! Wish you could talk also of things of interest happening in the greater south… or do you… and I missed it?
‘Cause we have some great things happening in the boondocks around here… like : https://lesallumeslesallumettes.wordpress.com/presentation-de-paroles-en-lair/… and it can be translated into english by us too…
Thank you for your kind comment. I like your blog too….but don’t think I can extend Aixcentric that far. It keeps me busy enough to keep up with what’s happening in Aix!
Hi Lynne,
We are looking forward to spending a week in Aix in early September and was wondering about the construction underway and how it is affecting the beautiful markets.
Sue
Hello, The redevelopment of the ‘trois places’ will go on for about 24 months and this has displaced the markets from their usual location around the Palais de Justice. But they seem to be thriving and I find them more spacious and easier to navigate in their new places.
Hello Lynne,
I visited my daughter in Aix last month, and we heard a wonderful late night jazz band playing at a cafe around the corner from the excavations near the Palais de Justice. I heard that they had recently discovered remains of a mother holding her child. As this trip is the last chapter of my memoir, I was hoping to find out if there are any photos or documents to back up this story so I can include the detail in my text. Can you please help? Feel free to email any links you may think would be helpful. Thank you so much!
It sounds like you had a fun visit. Have a look at the Aix mairie website….under the ‘project des trois places’, you will find the weekly report from the archaeologists. Starting from the most recent, they itemise everything uncovered that week, so that should give you plenty of info. Good luck with your research. I will also keep a lookout for what you describe.
Have just come across your blog. Very helpful as we are here at the moment for a few days. However horrified at the road works. It was so lovely as it was … I thought. Wondering if it will make market day tomorrow less enjoyable?. Thank you. Keep up the good work . Marian
I hope you had a great time in Aix! It’s lovely despite all the messy roadworks……
Wonderful website!
Thank you so much.
Aixcentric will be back for la rentree!
Hello, Ms. Aixcentric! I am learning so much from your site, looking forward to arriving in Aix on April 30th. I wonder if you might be able to help me with two things? I have been reading your restaurant reviews, since your blog was suggested to me as you are also a vegetarian, and it seems to me that most places mentioned have been for lunch. We two vegetarians will be in Aix for 9 days, and I imagine we’ll want dinner each and every night 🙂 Any ideas or recommendations? Also, we’ll be there, clearly, on the May 1st holiday, and it is not clear to me if any place will be open to buy food or to eat. Thank you so much for your help!
Hello there! Yes I am vegetarian and when we bought our Aix flat 18 years ago found very few places to eat. The big change has been the popularity of vegan dishes. These are mainly served at lunchtime as street food/salads/international dishes for the growing student population. Evenings are, as you say, a bit more tricky. I wish I could recommend somewhere. I think the best thing is to go to the tourist office and get a copy of Sesame. It’s a free book which lists many restaurants in town and see what their current menus are like….Some have a vegetarian alternative but very little choice. I’ve been in England since September due to travel restrictions so I’m not really up to speed on the situation. We’re heading down at easter so will also be looking for somewhere nice to eat! Good luck. Have a good holiday.
thank you! well, you’ll be there 2 weeks before us, so please share any great evening ideas! very glad we’re finally all able to travel.
Today’s post may help. Enjoy your holiday!
I am also a baby blogger expat living in Aix, would love to meet up for un café.
I’d love to but I’m currently in England. Good luck with the blog – the more info in English the better, esp for young families moving into the area. Chapeau!…………Lynne