Gabriella Maria's Charming Provencal Culinary and Culture Retreat

Must-See Sights

• Cours MirabeauMarkets & Shopping
  Cours Mirabeau is one of the liveliest boulevards in Aix en Provence. Originally this grand avenue was built when the city was enlarged in the 17th century when bourgeois home-owners wanted a road for carriages and pedestrians. The former luxury mansions that once wrapped around the entire block now hold chic cafes and swanky shops. Lush trees and moss-covered fountains complete the picture. Of all the streets in Aix, this is the place to see and be seen. Beginning at the Fontaine de la Rotonde, the Aix’s show-stopping fountain, you can stroll beneath the trees while admiring the marvelous architecture around you. Sip espresso on a terrace or a glass of local wine in between shopping for luxurious scarves or bargaining on antiques.
• Lavender FieldsNatural Beauty
  Once a year in June and July, the fields outside Aix-en-Provence bloom with picture-perfect lavender flowers. Provencal lavender is used for many purposes, including herbal remedies, perfumes, and most recently, Instagram fodder. Located just a short drive outside of Aix, they are a must-see if you visit during this season. When you stand in the middle of a lavender farm, it is purple for as far as your eyes can see, and you are engulfed in the delicate fragrances of this Provencal flower. Especially at sunset, the lavender fields make the perfect backdrop for a romantic couple’s photoshoot, or simply provide a calming moment during a hectic itinerary. If you are a photographer, this one should be at the top of your hit list.
• Cezanne's StudioMuseums & Galleries
  The artist Paul Cézanne was born, lived, and ultimately died in Aix-en-Provence, and the Provencal landscape is prevalent throughout his paintings. Although Cézanne’s art was misunderstood and discredited for most of his life, he is now recognized as one of the most important 19th-century painters. Especially for his work in the movement of Cubism, Cézanne now is widely regarded as a genius. Cézanne’s studio in Aix has been preserved exactly the way it was when he died. On a visit, you can bask in the sun of the warm and brightly lit room that the artist used every day for the last four years of his life. You can practically feel Cézanne’s presence in this space, where his still life models, easels, and pallets still remain.
• Luberon VillagesSmall Towns
  As you make your way across the hilly landscape of Luberon, you can’t miss its little villages of Gordes, Roussillon, Lacoste, and Bonnieux. The houses and churches here seem to be carved into the very mountainsides. Built over 1000 years ago, these small villages retain an ancient, old-world feel. Although they are inhabited, it is like modern development passed these places by. At each village, you can linger in cafes and shops, purchase artisan specialties and learn about local Provencal life. Taste the wines from the surrounding vineyards while you gaze upon the dreamy vistas around you. If you find an especially good perch, it can be an ideal place to stay and take in the sunset.
• Aix-en-Provence MarketsMarkets & Shopping
  Food, flowers, craftwork and old books… Aix-en-Provence's markets are a feast for the senses. Whether you are visiting during the lavender harvest, or the Christmas markets in December, there are always local delicacies and crafts on offer, reflecting the seasons. Taste the abundance of produce and specialties at the daily market on Place Richelme. Or try some new clothes and hunt down a great bargain at the town’s largest weekly flea market. Here you can also browse a large book and antique section. It is nearly impossible to not find some quirky knick-knack or tchotchke around the many stalls.
• Paroisse Cathédrale Saint SauveurChurches & Monasteries
  Rumored to be built on the base of an ancient Roman temple, Aix’s premier cathedral took 13 centuries to build. This lead to a variety of architectural styles as Saint Sauveur slowly upgraded over the years. To the south, the 12th-century Romanesque gate meets a Roman wall. To the north, a bell tower constructed between 1323 and 1425 looms over a richly carved Gothic gate from the 15th century. Inside, the cathedral's elegant interior evokes peace and tranquility. If you’re lucky, you’ll hear music from the stunning green and gold organ while you behold the nave. The octagonal baptismal font rests on a stand dating back to the 5th century. Saint Sauveur will leave you with a new reverence for Aix-en-Provence’s history.