Home Again in Aix-en-Provence

When one visits a special place numerous times it begins to feel like home. So it is with this place. We are in Aix-en-Provence. Ancient Greeks claimed this place as their colony. As the Greek culture slowly gave way to that of the Romans, the reigon slowly morphed into the first Roman province in Gaul. After Rome collapsed the residents here wanted the hairy, dirty barbarians hereabouts to know that this was an area of culture, learning and sophistication. They called this place THE province, or, in French, Provence. This town is charming. Life here is cultured, unhurried, unrushed. Surrounded by one of the most productive agricultural areas in Europe, the town's open-air markets provide cooks an abundance of the freshest meats and vegetables. It is easy to understand why French cuisine was born here.

Culinary arts are not the only arts to flourish here. Cezanne, Van Gogh and Picasso all lived and died here. All three artists are buried within a five-mile radius. Two excellent universities call Aix home. If it were not for my unapologetic prejudice for North Carolina, I might judge Aix-en-Provence to be one of the most perfect places on earth.Read more