Aix en Provence, May 24 - 29

Our two months in France wrapped up with a visit to Aix en Provence.
We noticed a change as we drew closer... there is a different pace, a different energy here to the quiet rural towns and villages we had recently spent time in.

The markets in Aix were spectacular. Flowers and produce take over the streets and squares several mornings a week. They then disappear, leaving no trace of their existence by mid-afternoon.





We found the markets here provided for us exceptionally well.

That is, aside from one unfortunate stinky calamari incident.














The North African influence gave for some wonderful spice stalls.



The markets were fun to explore (still no handbags) and we also enjoyed the streets once all the stalls had been packed up.
In the next photo, Naomi watches the world go by from our window.
She is wearing her new fringe... très chic. Finding a salon for this much anticipated haircut was quite a big deal at the time.


Our apartment in Aix was cosy, with a ladder stairway to the mezzanine sleeping area.
The upper level had a ceiling height of no more than four feet, so we found ourselves crawling along at bedtime to avoid bumping into the roof beams.























Upstairs, there was a secret "study table" tucked down the back, inside a cupboard.
You can see that the ceiling is so close that I could not even sit upright.
No secret studying for me.










On the Cors Mirabeau, a fantastic castle made of cardboard boxes had been erected for a street festival. No clips or nifty PJ fasteners here, the whole structure was held together with packing tape.



Behind the facade a stage had been constructed. We sat in the stalls for a while, watching kids run around and waiting for a breakdancing demo that we thought was coming up.


The breakdancing never came, and eventually we moved on.

It is a part of my daily reality to live with a stubborn determination to make friends with furry creatures, wherever I go.
The cat in the following image was saved from my affections by a strategically placed net.



Aix en Provence is also home to the Vasarely Foundation.
A remarkable Bauhaus structure, it was designed by the artist himself in the mid-1970s. The building contains hexagonal shaped galleries with dozens of monumental works by Victor Vasarely. We were fortunate to be there when a large group of children went through. To watch their amazement and delight was a lot of fun.
You can see the school group in the next photo, as well as Naomi (in colour co-ordinated orange) leaning in for a closer look.


Every room has six huge pieces, each taking the space of an entire wall. A central ring of lounges allows you to sit and contemplate, but we found that the most impact was to be had by walking and obseving how the artwork changed as your viewing perspective shifted.

You can really grasp the sense of scale that was created by the architecture and the pieces working together.

We enjoyed the Vasarely Foundation very much. Almost enough to purchase an original print from the poster store, but we found the saleswoman quite irritating.
The building is spectacular, as you can see in our final picture below. Up close, the surfaces are a little cracked and worn, and some areas did seem dated. However, the Vasarely vision stands strong and it was wonderful to be immersed in it.


So, we now say goodbye to France... our adventures continue after - and indeed during - a long train ride to Italy.