Created by The Telegraph Updated On: Avril 16, 2013
With the launch of a new, direct Eurostar service, visiting Aix-en-Provence - a city of jolly gardens, grand squares and intellectuals - is easier than ever, says Anthony Peregrine.
The Telegraph: Special treat: The Villa Gallici has the required 18th-century country-house sumptuousness and 21st-century five-star standards (0033 442 232923; villagallici.com; doubles from £192).
The Telegraph: 4pm: Stroll the Cours Mirabeau, from the vast Rotonde roundabout and fountain. The Cours is the heart of the city and its self-image - grandiose, graceful and spiced with civilised café life.
Restaurant français · Mazarin · 50 conseils et avis
The Telegraph: 5.30pm: Talking of which, pop in for an early sharpener at the Café de Deux Garçons. Insist on your order, or the waiters will ignore you.
34 Place des Martyrs de la Résistance, Aix-en-Provence, Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur
Église · Cardeurs · 9 conseils et avis
The Telegraph: St Sauveur cathedral features an amalgam of architecture from the fifth to 17th-centuries. Somehow, it's all harmonious. Note particularly the cloisters, and Froment's magisterial triptych.
Forum des Cardeurs, Aix-en-Provence, Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur
Place · Cardeurs · 5 conseils et avis
The Telegraph: 12.30pm: Return to the centre for lunch on the Forum des Cardeurs by the town hall. The square groans with restaurants. Try Le Coquet at N°2 (0442 234621; two- course lunch £13.50).
The Telegraph: 8pm: Apértifs at the chic, funky, cocktail-laden La Rotonde (it's also the name of a bar at 20 Place Jeanne-d'Arc ; (0442 916170; larotonde-aix.com).
The Telegraph: 9.30am: Saunter to the Musée Granet (it opens at 10am), Aix's main gallery (Place St Jean de Malte; 0033 442 528832; museegranet-aixenprovence.fr; £3.50).