Vacation in Aix en Provence recommendations

[vanessa]

I am finally planning the trip to Aix en Provence that my friends and I have been wanting to take for some time now! We will be going later in the spring. Now I am looking for some recommendations on what to do, see, where to eat, where to stay, etc. None of us has been there so are open to any suggestions! We will be travelling on a budget so some recommendations where we can stay for low prices would help. I have looked into some options on my own, like renting an apartment for example, which I think can be cheaper if you look well. I found this site:

www.casamundo.co.uk/france/provence_alpes/aix_en_provence.htm

They list some larger houses but also simpler apartments for cheaper. It looks like some of them have access to a little garden too, which would be nice. This site also looks ok:

www.holidaylettings.co.uk/aix-en-provence/hom_home_type.apartment/

I also want to look into hotel options, and this is one of the better sites I found:

www.aixenprovencetourism.com/uk/aix-hotels-3-centre.htm

I don't think Aix en Provence is really a top tourist destination and is maybe not so known, but I hear it is really nice just for strolling around and relaxing. But I would appreciate some personal suggestions!

[cigalechanta]

I stayed at a wonderful inexpensive hotel right in town with its own car oarc.
Le Manoir

[mossie]

I think you will enjoy Aix en Provence, to be pronounced 'ex en Provence'. It is an old town with much history, but it also has a university and seems quite a lively young place.
Nearby and worth a visit is Avignon with its famous bridge, but the country round about is wonderful with the villages perchees sitting on top of their large rocky hillsides. Gordes and Roussillon particularly spring to mind.
To get you started of course you must read the classic 'A year in Provence' by Peter Mayle. I never cease to laugh when I read his description of his villainous neighbour telling him how to prepare and cook a fox
Of course there is also LaCoste one time home to the notorious Marquis de Sade
I know you will have a great holiday

[jcjflorida]

I stayed in Aix for a week in Sept. and had a great time. We stayed here:
www.vrbo.com/232370#photos
The apartment had everything we needed for the 4 of us but is rather basic. The owner is a charming Irishman who is a wealth of information. The town is a great walking town with lots of restaurants and cafés. I would recommend a visit to Cassis and Avignon. The nearby Chateau de Beaupré is a small winery which has some good and inexpensive wine.

You will love Aix I am sure.

[cigalechanta]

suggested reading, re:Aix
Two Towns in Provence and The Boss Dog
Both by MFK Fisher