Huge breakfast range at this hotel, fresh food is amazingly tasty, must be all that extra care they can afford due to huge euro subsidies.
We have the Fodor book as well as Rick Steves book on Provence. Rick Steves is generally the best but it doesnt have much about Aix, so we are using Fodors. They have a walking tour idea so we meander along with some purpose. This is a very sophisticated and cultured town, a bit of a waste on us.. The streets are interesting, lively and every corner has a surprise. We haven't done any shopping yet and Barbie spent time convincing me to buy a bright purple Lacoste shirt which I just couldn't settle on.
She reached her shopping stride in a lovely magazin (shop) called Cotelac where she spent an hour being well looked after by the staff and actually bought 2 items. She's now speaking and wearing french.
I missed the perfect photo opp when I saw a woman on crutches with a broken leg and what did she have on the good leg - 4 inch stilettos - only in France.
We made our way outside the main town to Cezannes home where he began his painting. His father was a banker and foreclosed on this huge house that became home. The gardens were massive with plane trees, lakes, statues - you get the idea. The tour was in some was a bit lame as the house was only open in one room. Tis room, however is where he painte a series of murals on the wall (later removed) where we had a talk which was pretty interesting and then given a tour of the back yard to see the vantage point for various of his famous paintings.
Lots of wandering before our booked dinner at le Deux Garcon , famous since 1792 and a haunt of Cezannes. Great meal, I had Bulot which is a cute shellfish and Barbie had Squid and fennel salad. I then has lamb shoulder with pearl barley that was amazing.
We had some Texans next to us that made it a fun evening. I am getting to understand the aperetifs - Kir being say blackcurrent or peach in white wine and Kit Royal being same with champagne. Both a good way to start the meal.
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| Another great thing at french restaurants is 500ml bottles for those of us who like an aperitif before and and afternoon drink before that. |
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| Bulot (type of shellfish) |
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| creme renversee - loovely |
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