Aix-en-Provence

Yesterday we left Nimes and drove about 100km to the town of Aix-en-Provence. Aix is a town which Gaffer had been to around 10 yrs ago while he was attending painting classes in Provence. Although he had only visited for one day, he was quite impressed by it. We arrived at around noon, having had a fairly uneventful journey from Nimes. The only difficulty comes when just arriving in the town and not knowing where to go or where to park or where we are going to stay. Driving in French cities can get very frustrating when you don't know where you're going. It's a miracle I haven't damaged this rental car already. Anyway, we parked in a parking garage and found a hotel with the help of the tourist information office in town. The hotel is called St. Christophe, and although rated only a 2 star hotel, has quite a chi-chi feel to the place. There is a restaurant which you need to kind of walk through before getting to the lobby, where all the guys where their sweaters casually wrapped around their necks, and they all wear creamed-colored slacks. They all look so Euro. However the place is quite reasonable. The only unreasonable thing is the parking situation. There is a parking garage underneath the hotel, and you wouldn't believe how tightly all of the cars fit inside. It's so tight, that you literally need another person outside so they can guide you in and out. Also, you are required to back into the parking space because otherwise, you will not be able to remove your car. I've never seen anything like it and will try go get it on video tape. The town of Aix is beautiful and lively. To me, it's like a miniature Paris in the south with more restaurants per square mile than I have even seen in Paris! You wonder that they can all stay in business. The weather is almost cleared up completely now. Well, must run, but I'll try to get some video and photos up later today.