Parading through Provence

After visiting two major cities, we needed to slow down a bit (and our feet needed a break too). We made the seven-hour trek to Aix-en-Provence and were ready to call the south of France our home for the week!

Unfortunately, we left the beautiful weather behind in Paris. It was rainy and cold most of the week, which we learned was extremely unusual for this time of year, and that’s because every time we told a local we were visiting, they apologized for the weather. BUT, we didn’t let it hinder our stay—it was a perfect balance of relaxation and adventure.

We visited Avignon one day, another large city in the Provence region about an hour away. We walked around the historic city center which is enclosed by medieval ramparts. It had a similar feel to Aix with the narrow cobblestone streets, restaurants, and shops. There, we did a tour of Palais des Papes (Palace of the Popes), the seat of western Christianity during the 14th century. Fun fact: at over 161,000 square feet, it is the largest medieval Gothic palace in the world.

It was a tour of about 20 rooms, including the pope’s private chambers. In many rooms, original frescoes painted by an Italian artist were still visible. The tour was self-guided and interactive—each person was provided a headset and tablet. The tablet provided a 3D rendering of each room in its original state. You could just move the tablet at all angles to see what the room might have looked like in the 14th century, while also listening to a recording for more information. And bonus for us, since we are children: there was a treasure hunt through the tablet. Fun fact #2: I found all the gold coins.

On the way back to Aix, we stopped through Saint-Rémy-de-Provence. This is where Van Gogh spent the last year of his life and painted some of his most popular work (ie. The Starry Night). Our time was restricted by the parking meter (it was free for the first 45 minutes… and we love free), but I could have wandered in and out of those shops for hours. Literally in, and then right out, because I can’t afford to buy anything and it’s too tempting to look.

During our rainiest day, we indulged in wine tastings at three vineyards. Provence is the oldest wine producing region of France and *apparently* it has a fantastic climate of sunshine, warm days with cool nights, and little rain. More importantly, the region has a heavy focus on rosé wine (it is home to the world’s only research institute for rosé) and when it comes to rosé, it’s a yes-way for me. Fun fact about me: I place an abnormal amount of value on the color of a drink. For example, I really appreciate—and cannot resist—an iced coffee that has just the right amount of milk (a tad bit more than a splash), giving it that smooth, refreshing appearance. I’ve ordered a beer by describing the color I’m looking for. And when it comes to rosé, I am ALL about a pink so pale it could be mistaken for water with a splash of freshly squeezed grapefruit. Well, that long-winded background about my idiosyncrasies for THIS: turns out, the color of rosé matters to a lot of people. It matters so much that winemakers have noticed this trend and tailor the color of the wine to appeal to consumers. Basically, Provence gets basic. (And it produces some really great, underrated wine!)

Our last day in the area was spent in Monaco. We figured, why not? It was a scenic two-hour drive through vineyards and hilly landscapes. Our first stop once we arrived? Starbucks. Here we are in Monte-Carlo, with many unique cafes waiting to be discovered, and we are making our very American order at Starbucks. But we desperately wanted NEEDED a coffee that had just a liiiiittle more than one or two sips. AND, it was on a rooftop, so we started our day with views of the incredibly blue Mediterranean.

Monte-Carlo is bursting with vibrant colors. The city is built into the mountainside, dotted with verdant landscapes with exotic flora and complemented by the electric blue water. We spent our time wandering around. We walked up and down the docks in the harbor admiring mega yachts (and of course sneaking pictures of the name of the ship so we could google it later). We made our way to Monaco-Ville via cliffside stairs to peek at the Prince’s palace.

Thankfully, it was enough for us to just soak in these views for one day, because unless we hit the lottery and can cruise into the harbor on our mega yacht, we won’t be making a trip back. It’s a destination catered to those willing to spend a pretty penny to really experience the lavish lifestyle… and even if we could afford it, we just aren’t those people. (I may judge a drink by its color, but I can’t keep up with the Jones’. I don’t even own a hair brush.)

On the way home, we made a pit stop in Marseille, which is the second largest city in France after Paris. We walked around for an hour or so before we were greeted again by the rain and decided to head back to Aix.

Peak of the week: Finally being able to make dinner—we ate in three of the five nights. One night we made spaghetti bolognese, complete with a baguette and olive oil (because of course), for $5. Another perk was the farmers’ market in the center on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays, where we’d purchase some ingredients for cheap.

Pit of the week: The weather. (Mainly because didn’t have room to pack an umbrella)

Overall, our time in Provence was great. We didn't know much about the region before our trip and were able to learn and experience a lot within the 5 days we were there. But, it was time for our next adventure. While home (and when I say home, I am referring to my parents' home) is my very favorite place on Earth, any ski town in the Alps comes in a close second. That is why I couldn't have been more excited to discover Chamonix! (And you'll hear all about that one from Mike!)