The Space in My Heart for Aix-en-Provence 

My study abroad experience started in January, on my birthday, in Aix-en-Provence, France. The city welcomed me with sunshine and mild winter temperatures, and it has grown even lovelier entering into spring. Aix-en-Provence is a city in the south of France which is small enough to attest to a true sense of community and closeness. It is charming at every glance. Aix is well situated and connected, with the ever-blue Mediterranean and Marseille, France (a larger city and hub for travel) just 30 minutes away. A few of my favorite elements of living in Aix are the walking lifestyle, its open-air market culture, the perfect weather, and the beautiful quality of life that all of these elements contribute to. 

Walking Lifestyle  

Aix-en-Provence is a city where pedestrians are kings. An unexpected shock I had when arriving here was witnessing everyone walk in the middle of the streets as they go about their day. Sure, there are cars, and a multitude of motorbikes or scooters using those same streets, but pedestrians have priority, and therefore can walk carefree where they prefer. It took me some time of being in Aix to realize that main driving routes are actually tucked away from the public spaces, so as to not disrupt the peace and safety of the town. You may have heard about the walkability of Europe…Aix is a perfect example of respect and accommodation of this lifestyle.  

While living in Aix-en-Provence, I habitually walk to all of the places that I would normally drive to in the U.S. I meander into town to buy groceries and visit markets, then walk the opposite direction to my university classes or elements of campus life. I walk to my friend’s homes. I walk to museums, or great cafes, and there are several incredible parks around Aix that I also frequent. To finish it all off I walk up five flights of stairs to get to my apartment! Not only is it amazing to be outside and active throughout the day, but I am included in the community of Aix by practicing this walking lifestyle. In going about my day, I am walking beside, and briefly interacting with, the lives of hundreds of people who are also on foot, taking on the day; this is always a great people-watching experience, and sometimes, a perfect opportunity to make a new friend. 

 Locals walking down the center of the streets. 

Outdoor Markets and Pride in Quality and Origin 

Are you familiar with the feeling of pride associated with someone asking you where you got an article of clothing, and you telling them that you thrifted it? The connotation behind the statement “I thrifted it” can be expanded into: “I worked to find this,” “it's one of a kind,” “my clothing is well sourced,” and “I got a great deal on this!”... this is strangely pretty relatable to the relevance of quality and origin that is represented in French market settings.  

An outdoor book market! These are always so beautiful, I wish I could take them all home with me.  

In French culture, and especially in Aix, the origin and quality of the item you are purchasing is important. The markets in Aix sell anything from antiques, to clothing, books, flowers, local products, and especially, fresh produce. Market days are a colorful whirl of sunshine, bustling streets, and options as to where you buy from. Supporting these local vendors, or buying a product with a special significance is a beautiful part of the shopping experience here, so never hesitate to ask questions to the seller, as they love to share, and truly take pride in what they have to offer. 

Le Cours Mirabeau, Aix’s main walking street, with its colorful clothing markets.  

Aix-en-Provence is particularly known for its lavender products, as the countryside is filled with lavender fields in the summer. Because of these flowering fields attracting bees and pollinators, it is also a great area for local honey! If you love purchasing fresh fruits and vegetables from local farms like I do, the markets are the best place to find delicious and beautiful produce. There is something so magical about the open-air market experience. It is easy to perceive how rooted it is in the community, and I am grateful to be a part of it.  

Sunshine and Joyful Spirits  

I did a lot of nervous googling about what weather to expect and pack for before I moved to the South of France. It turns out, I was actually moving to the most beautiful weather region I have ever experienced. Aix-en-Provence is famously quoted to have sunshine filled days 300/360 days of the year, and thus far that has absolutely been my experience. Even the winters are delightful, with habitual highs around 50-60 degrees and the occasional 70-degree day thrown in just to add to the anticipation of summer. Sunny days are so habitual that sunshine has become an attribute of Aix-en-Provence’s culture. Many Aixois people take pride in the renowned artist Paul Cezanne’s work, as he was born in Aix and loved to paint the sunshine filled scenes around the city.  

The view looking over Aix-en-Provence from Paul Cézanne’s workshop. Many of his paintings feature scenes from the city because he loved its beauty and light.  

Aix-en-Provence is called the City of 1,000 Fountains. Here is just one of these unique fountains, and the pigeon who was taking a drink from it.  

A little bit of sunshine goes a long way to lighten someone’s spirits or outlook, and I have found that Aix-en-Provence’s perfect weather positively attributes to the nature of the people who live here. In contrast to northern France where the people are known to be slightly more cold shouldered and reserved, people in the south of France are extremely friendly, open, and joyful. I have been able to easily make friendly conversation and connections with locals throughout my days and their positive outlooks are perceivable. With sunshine beaming down every day, Aix being such a beautiful place to live, colorful daily markets, and the freedom to walk everywhere one might need, the quality of living here is a delight. Gorgeous weather = happy people!