Atelier de Cezanne, Paul Cezanne’s house and studio, is a must while in Aix. Cezanne was born in Aix in 1839 and he always considered Aix to be his home and a place of profound inspiration. The visit to the studio is perfect for a late afternoon excursion and doesn’t require much time at all. The Museé Granet in Aix has a vast collection of Cezanne and impressionists as well, if you have time.

Bibliotèque Mejanes is a wonderful library in Aix founded in 1810 with a facade made of giant books! The library holds a lot of interesting history and it makes for a perfect photo opp!

Cours Mirabeau is the iconic tree lined boulevard in Aix with shops, restaurants, open air markets, and beautiful fountains. Bring your wallet! This is the perfect place to find those lovely table cloths in the traditional floral prints of the Provence region.

Foundation Vasarely Museum is among the most fun you may have in Aix! Victor Vasarely was a Hungarian and French painter best known for starting the movement of Op Art. His optical illusions were often painted on extremely large surfaces and when given options of where to build the museum for his works, he chose the cultural center of Aix. He designed the structure in hexagone pods to mirror his paintings. The foundation opened in the mid 70’s and the building stands out as an Op Art structure itself. Wander through the spaces, sit down on couches, get close, back up, and basically play while you are there. The paintings are colorful, fun, and vibrate as you look at them. It is open during the quarantine with the usual precautions of masks and distancing.

is a unique and perfect choice for viewing lavender and finding sunflowers along the way! The Abbey is only one hour from Aix and is filled with a rich history and meditative vibe. This Abbey is a living/working farm for monks of the Cistercian order. This group of monks have lived and operated the Abbey since the 12th Century. Their lives are dedicated to prayer and labor. They actually pray seven times daily and tend to all of the lavender and olive groves. The sales from the oils and products, and use of the Abbey for monastic retreats help to support the Abbey and the monks. Arrive early in the day to roam the fields and surroundings freely. That way you can take photos without feeling disrespectful. Take time to sit in the chapel built in the 1100’s. Busloads of visitors may arrive later, so get your pics done early! This is a must during your 5 days in the south of France.

is an ancient Roman aqueduct bridge built in the first century AD to carry water over 50 km to the Roman colony of Nemausus. It crosses the river Gardon near the town of Vers-Pont-du-Gard in southern France. For 7 euro, you can buy tickets to walk on top of the bridge and see the museum and exhibitions. Bring your bathing suit! Visitors are swimming and kayaking in the water below the aqueduct. It’s a breathtaking piece of history! Add this to your 5 days in the south of France.