Aix en Provence: Streets, the Saturday Market, Shops, and Churches

La Rotonde Fountain was erected in 1860. It is the largest fountain I saw in Aix. It has three statues which represent Law, facing the city, Agriculture, facing Marseille, and Art, facing Avignon.

The Cours Mirabeau which is the main pedestrian mall of Aix. It is where my wife Mary Alice fell and wrenched her knee requiring surgery, hospital stay and superb medical care from the Central Hospital of Aix.

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One of the best photos I took in Aix. I knew the colors were there but did not know how they would look in the photo. The bicycle was just parked there at the doorway. Most of the streets in Aix in the old town are one lane, one way and some only wide enough for pedestrians.

The sun was just coming over the buildings and bathing the north side of the street in light.

I thought this composition was really good with a single person walking on the street.

An elderly lady walks through the gates of the old "Town Hall" dating from 1510. (That's old.)

The Clock Tower. Former belfry of the town and symbol of local government power, the tower spans the street on Roman foundations. Erected in 1510, it houses an astronomic clock built in 1661, containing four wooden statues.

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My first sight of the Aix market on Saturday. I quietly said, "Oh boy! This is gonna be great." I took time to take this 6 shot pano of the square. As I was photographing the panorama I heard an accordion across the street, my next stop. This market is made up of hundreds of merchants selling fruits, vegetables, nuts, honey, cured meat, fish, flowers, clothes, hats, ceramics, and some things I can't remember. Needless to say, everything from a to z was at the market. I even found some old door knockers.

I never remember to get these guys names. He was a very talented accordion player.

Portrait of the Italian accordion player

Every possible space down the street and across the other squares were filled with merchants. The couple on the left are trying to decide which "Provence" pottery to buy.

Provence pottery

There were more fruit and vegetable stands than any other. All the fruits and vegetables are fresh. I bought some fruit, honey and bread to take back to the hospital.

These were some of the largest lemons I have ever seen. They are grown in the region around Menton, a coastal city we visited last week.

This was one of the better photos I took at the market. It's of a gentleman buying grapes. He took the task seriously.

Looking through the market under the canopies you can get some idea of the depth of the the market. The tomatoes you see are all grown locally. Provence tomatoes are full of flavor and make a great meal all by themselves.

This lady is looking for some coins to pay for her mushroom purchase.

Here is another street musician, a piano player. He was playing French folk songs and inviting people to sing along with his side kick.

The colors in a market like this offer a photographer a "cake with ice cream on top."

This merchant is selling cured meat, sausage (saucisson in French). He was slicing off samples to offer customers. yum.

There is an array of color on every table.

From this photograph you can get some idea of the depth of the market.

One more look at a vegetable table.

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L'Alsace en Provence is a shop specializing in Alsace foods. Alsace is a region in the north of France.

A "Boulangerie" is a bakery in France. You can buy breads, croissants, rolls and even sandwiches. They are found in almost every neighborhood and village. I have an entire gallery dedicated to the boulangerie in Provence.

This small sandwich shop's name says to "snack here."

This company, L'Occitane, is found throughout France and even in Houston, Texas. They sell personal care products made from Provence herbs and flowers.