Paris and Provence, Day 3: A Walk Through Aix
We had sausage and cheese at the apartment before going out in search of morning crêpes and a walking tour. Our guide, Jérôme, took us along Cours Mirabeau and through the “city of a thousand fountains”—more like 130, he said. We saw the Four Dolphins fountain, Hôtel Maurel de Pontevès, the warm moss-covered fountain, Place d’Albertas, City Hall, and the buildings around Saint-Sauveur Cathedral. The courtyard at Place d’Albertas was made a little deeper to make it look nicer. Back at the cathedral, we could see how it had absorbed an older church, which in turn had incorporated a Roman temple.
Le Coquet was out of mussels and lemonade at lunch. Ksenia had foie gras and a mojito; I had grilled octopus. We bought soap, candy, and wine, returned to the cathedral, then took a classic French siesta at the apartment.
After another wander, dinner was at Jardin Mazarin by the Four Dolphins fountain. Ksenia ordered truffle scrambled eggs and duck breast in cherry sauce. I had foie gras and kangaroo. We shared white wine and a peach dessert.
Part of our August–September 2019 trip through Provence and Paris. Trip summary.
From the Notebook
