April in Paris
Yes it’s true. We’re actually going!
Due to several upcoming/ongoing projects at my “Coalface”* it was made clear that we shouldn’t plan on taking any vacation time for an extended period starting later this year and well into next, so le monsieur and I decided to get out while we could and cashed in some frequent flyer miles. We’ll be spending 5 days/nights in Paris, and 4 days/5 nights in Aix-en Provence! It will be our first time visiting the Provence region and our first time in Paris in April.
We’ve had some excellent recommendations for things to do and see in the Provence region, and are still planning our itinerary. Paris always tends to take care of itself itinerary-wise, but I’m NOT missing the upcoming Helmut Newton exhibit at the Grand Palais!
Any other suggestions for exhibits or “must see’s” in the Provence region are welcome.
*From Faux Fuchsia. An Aussie slang term for office/workplace.
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Wonderful for you, and for us!
Am so looking forward to sharing the sights!
I was in Aix on my honeymoon and love love loved it!
We’ve been wanting to go for quite some time, can hardly wait to see it!
Our favorites among the villages of Provence are Le Baux de Provence and Gordes. I think they are both must sees in the area.
Thanks for the tips! I’m taking notes.
How wonderful! Sounds like heaven. We look forward to lots of details and pics.
Thanks, Patti!
Honestly, all of your fab travel makes me green with envy! I love that palette. Totally tells the tale.
K-Line, thank you!
When friends of mine were staying in Aix last autumn, they took a day trip to Château La Coste, which is both a working winery and a showcase for spectacular art and architecture by the likes of Calder, Gehry, Niemeyer, and Ai Weiwei. My friends said it was utterly fabulous. Here’s a NY Times story: http://tmagazine.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/09/22/starchitects-on-parade/
And here’s a longer article: http://www.wine-pages.com/features/wine-art-architecture.htm
Nancy, thanks for that link! We’ll definitely add that to the list of potential day trips.
read FRENCH ESSENCE blog–last week , wonderful tips about Avignon–how can any of it be less than superb–it is France after all–there is a little musee in Paris–of counterfeiting, most iteresting
Thank you. Yes, Avignon is on our list of potential day trips…so much to see in the area!
What a lovely place to be in April! Such exciting news.
It will be so much fun to tag along and see the sights vicariously through your eyes 🙂
hostess, thank you! I’ve come to enjoy sharing our travels so much.
How clever of you two to grab the moment and go when you can! I have very fond memories of Aix from when I stayed there as part of a solo 2 weeks in France 20 years ago. Spent a lovely day wandering St. Remy . . .
And I’ve put that Helmut Newton show on our list for Paris, May — thanks for the tip!
materfamilias, can hardly wait to see the Helmut Newton exhibit, as well as the Cezanne. Will check out St. Remy too…
What could be lovelier…have a wonderful time…please, please do a post on the Helmut Newton exhibition…I’m a little green here 🙂
Catherine
xx
Catherine, I will definitely post about the Helmut Newton. I was SO excited when I saw that one would be up during our visit.
Have you made reservations to stay in aix?
For Luxury, VILLA GALLACI.
Low price, LE MANOIR.
For the best dining Les Clos Des Violetts
cigalechanta, yes, we’ll be staying at La Maison (comes highly recommended). Making a note of Les Clos Des Violetts for one of our dinners…
All wonderful suggestions…La Coste is truly fab and Gordes is a dream……..you won’t be disappointed. There are two other fantastic photographic exhibitions in Paris during April too…one at the Jeu de Paume and at the Hotel de Ville. A bientot.
Paris Rendez-vous, I can see our museum dance card is filling up quickly with wonderful exhibits! Thanks for the tips, and looking forward to meeting up with you!
Must See In Paris: A Femme d’Un Certain Age. . .!!!
xo
Tish, ma chère amie, seeing you is the primary motivation for not postponing this trip!
I second Duchesse – I’m sure we can anticipate lovely packing lists and other relevant info, plus your report afterwards. I first heard about Aix through Frederic Fekkai’s book The Year of Style – he comes from there.
Ah, did not know that about Frederic Fekkai. I’ve really come to enjoy the whole planning and packing process, and reveling in the anticipation of seeing a new and beautiful place as well as Paris (and friends) again.
Must see in Provence – Pont du Gard. We rented a motorscooter from Avignon and went there one sunny day in June. Amazing. Les Baux de Provence aussi. And do a wine tour. We found it very informative.
Lorrie, those are all great suggestions, thank you!
I loved seeing Cezanne’s studio. Everything was as he left it, paint on palette included. And I loved the shopping!
I would like to add, if you’ve never seen the Musee Maillol in Paris, it’s worth a visit. In the home of his model and patron, which she left to the city.
kathy peck, we haven’t been to that one yet, thanks for the tip. There will also be a special Cezanne exhibit at the Pompidou while we’re there and we won’t miss it!
I am so thrilled for you! What could be better than Paris in April with your sweetheart? I can’t wait to hear your thoughts on Aix. I’ve never been.
Adrienne, thank you, and will definitely be posting about Aix.
Waiting for the packing lists and all..
But do take along an umbrella you can carry in your bag!
Mette, we always carry a couple of folding umbrellas. We’re anticipating some rain that time of year.
Love Aix… you will have a wonderful time… and Paris… A great trip… xv
Vicki, your blog and books have been a big part of inspiring us to quit dreaming and actually visit. Thank you!
P.S… ‘Coalface’ is exactly the right word! xv
aahh…paris…so so jealous…but so thrilled for you!
Thank you, elena!
Hooray! I will live vicariously…
LPC, thank you!
And I’ll do my best not to disappoint…
What a wonderful trip. Take lots of pics and share with those of us stuck at home.
Thanks, Debbi, you know I will!
I’ve always wanted to go to Aix. I’ll be taking a trip somewhere this summer, so I’m not toooooo jealous.
Frugal Scholar, will you be able to have an extended visit like last year?
Better tuck a hat & gloves into that pocketbook, at least for the Paris portion of the trip. The max temps are around 60 degrees with the average 50ish. While that’s not full-on winter when you figure that you’ll be outside a lot warm hands and ears will make life better.
Son went to France/Paris on Spring Break a few years back and all the photos came home with chilly looking kids and overcast skies.
RoseAG – hats and gloves, check! Thanks.
I knew this must be coming when you dropped the hint over the weekend. I’m so happy for you! Can’t wait for your blog posts from France!
Couture Allure, thank you! Do you have any future visits planned?
Like Mme. Lorrie already mentioned – do go to Les Baux when you are in Provence; it is amazing. And once you are there already I strongly recommend having dinner at “La Cabro d’Or”; the Michelin-starred restaurant of the hotel of the same name. My husband and me went there during our honeymoon in 2007; it was the best dinig-experience of my life so far.
If you can find the time do also go down to Camargue and do a boat trip along the Petit Rhone (starting and ending at Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer.) Aigues-Mortes is also great.
Sorry for the lenght of the posting, but I honesty tried to keep it as short as possible…
lexonia, that’s two votes for Les Baux, will definitely start researching that. I really appreciate all of the suggestions, thank you!
http://www.mylittle.fr/mylittleparis/en/
matilda, great resource, thanks!
Felicitations! I’ll be visiting Aix next summer for the first time, so I’ll be paying special attention to your reports from that city. With regards to April in Paris, I’ve only been there once in the springtime, and the weather was AMAZING: 60F+ every day and no rain! I wish the same for you.
Debra, thank you! I know the weather that time of year can be so unpredictable. Materfamilias was there last April and they had temperatures in the high 70’s! We’ll hope for the best, thanks!
Aix is about 1 1/2 hrs from us but if you are touring anywhere near St. Tropez we will be there in April and would be happy to show you around. Try and find a local Brocante to visit they are great fun. Enjoy
Chicatanyage, if there’s a bus or train to get us there, we’d love to visit!
I’m late to the party and in ‘catch-up’ mode but along with Tish above…Must See in Aix: La Fourchette! (looking forward to it!)
la fourchette, you know it!!!
Yay! Congratulations on the travel plans. As for suggestions, we really loved Marseille, wished we’d spent more time there, and also the city of Arle.
Your doggies pictured in the previous post are totally adorable!
Susan Tiner, looking forward to hearing about your upcoming trip too! And the dogs say, “thank you!”