Walking Tour of Aix

On our first day in Aix, we had a program orientation and then went on a walking tour through the city. Aix is about half an hour north of Marseille, the biggest city in Southern France. About a third of it's population of 150,000 are students, meaning that we are right at home! 

The Cathedral Saint Sauveur, built in the fifth century. It's amazing to go inside and think about how people have been worshipping there for thousands of years! 

In the center of town, there's a monument to the American soldiers who freed Aix from German occupation during World War II. 

A building that Louis XIV, the Sun King, stayed in. There's actually a huge mural painted all over the walls using a technique called trompe l'oeil {or trick the eye}. Doesn't it look so real? 

The town square, where a market selling produce, fish, and other local delicacies is set up every morning. 

Aix means water in Provecal {a local dialect} so there's a lot of beautiful fountains around the city. This is one of my favorites, in a little square right near my apartment. 

The Cours Mirabeau, or the big shopping district in Aix. There's a lot of fancy French stores like Lacoste, Hermes, Petit Bateau, and Longchamp. Also, a few very interesting American stores that I did not expect to see abroad. Like Footlocker. And Claire's?!?