Aix-en-Provence

Having done most of what we had wanted to see in Marseille we decided to head to Aix-en-Provence, about 40 minutes by train from Marseille

The town is a contrast to Marseille, as genteel as Marseille is edgy. There is nothing tremendous to see or do, but wandering around the streets and squares is a pleasant activity in its own right. So we did.

It was market day

Obviously there was a cathedral and if there is a cathedral it would be rude not to visit it. So this is Cathedrale St-Sauvere

Everywhere has an Irish Pub. To my chagrin I wasn't allowed to use one

😒

This square, Place des Cardeurs, is entirely taken up by restaurants

But we (Thibault) found a restaurant in a group of small establishments down a little courtyard 

And it was superb. We went very French, starting with frog legs and snails. They were delicious, although smother anything in enough garlic butter and you are probably onto a winner.

My main course of lamb in filo pastry was equally wonderful.

Replete, we headed back onto the streets

And made our way to the Musee Granet. This was a lovely little gallery and museum, well worth the admission.

A Cezanne

A roomful of Giacomettis

Naturally a Picasso or two

A splendid sculpture gallery

Someone took the dieting a bit far...

Not an entirely convincing depiction of a lady's bosom

The archaeological section in the basement was a little underwhelming

This as I am sure you will immediately recognise, is Leicester Square. By Monet

If the archaeological basement was disappointing, the modern art gallery, in nearby redundant church, was lovely, more for the setting than the artworks. A very good use of the plethora of redundant churches that every city has nowadays. Very tasteful conversion of a type of building notoriously difficult to adapt to newer uses.

Then back to the station mid-afternoon for return to Marseille

Super-creepy mural at station!