Chez Maxime

Wednesday, November 13, 2013

Finally made it to "Chez Maxime" for dejeuner. Wonderful as usual.  Stopped at "Roi Rene" for wine and coffee and then back to apartment for a little rest.  We have plans to go for a walk this evening and stop for a late dinner.  Best laid plans!  Amazing how easy it is to be seduced by a fabulous loaf of bread, some provencal tamponade, warm pajamas, and a "Jeeves and Wooster" on YouTube. Are we getting old or what?

One of Our Favorites

French Knockers

Just wanted to share some beautiful door decorations that are becoming more and more rare with the aggressive renovations here in Aix:

My Favorite

 

Window Licking

A national passion of the French is window shopping - faire du leche-vitrines - literally translated as "window licking".  Every shop is deliciously represented by their window displays.  Enjoy!

Monday, November 11, 2013

Today is a French National Holiday celebrating those who lost their lives defending France in WWII.  Pretty quiet around town.  Was surprised that there wasn't a ceremony on the Cours, but French flags were flying everywhere and we celebrated in our own way, remembering all the statues and monuments that we have come across on our travels, honoring those who served in the army and especially in the resistance.  Still very much remembered by the French people.  How lucky we have been in the US not to have experienced an enemy on our soil.

Had a nice lunch back at the apartment and a wonderful dinner at...

One of top 5 Restaurants in Aix

Couldn't believe that they were open this evening!  Had a nice chat with Mitch himself and enjoyed one of the best meals we have had in France.  How lucky we were to have caught them on a slow night.  Almost impossible to get a reservation especially in the upstairs dining room. But there we sat, right at the most sought after table by the window - for three hours of absolute heaven!

We had such a great time.  Mitch is incredible!  We told him he should be in Paris, but he insists that the slower pace in Aix - and the weather - convinced him that this is where he should be. What a charmer! We were so lucky to have had the chance to meet him.  Cannot even express wonderful an evening we had.  The complete dining experience.  Nothing to compare!

-

Interesting Pedicure

Strolling the streets of Aix in search of a salon for a much needed mani-pedi, I came across this shop...

...I was intrigued! Upon further investigation, found that this is a new trend in pedicures (only one salon in USA that offers it) originating in Asia...

...tanks filled with tiny (well, actually not so tiny) fish that eat the dead skin from your feet! How wild is that?!?!? No doubt this is something that has to be tried to be appreciated.  Think we should start a franchise in Denver.  Kelly and Renee!  Are you interested?

Check out YouTube for videos on this. It is AMAZING!

Sunday, November 10, 2013

Don't tell anyone, but we were a little tired of French food and decided to try a Thai restaurant.  It was fun to have something a little different - and a little lighter - for a change. The owner of the restaurant was very charming and gracious.  He has lived in France all his life and is of Indian and Vietnamese heritage.  After spending eight years in the French Foreign Legion, he opened his restaurant - Nirvana - and has been in the same spot for the last thirty years.  His wife is Chinese and her parents have lived in Eloi, Arizona for the past thirty-five years (they own a small grocery).  They visit her parents every couple of years and we encouraged them to stop in Denver on their next trip.  Really lovely couple!

We "Skyped" this evening first with John's sisters who are together in Eastbourne, UK for a visit.  Peter and Emily are celebrating their 50th wedding anniversary next August and invited us to join them. Next we spoke with Stacy, Max and B.  Great to see the kids.  Tried to get Finn to step up to the camera but he wasn't cooperating.

We watched a "Jeeves and Wooster" episode on YouTube, sipped a little Vin D'Orange, and settled in to bed at 9:00 pm.  Some things never change!

CANNES (Day 2)

Saturday, November 9, 2013

Enjoyed a nice sleep in and treated ourselves to a room service breakfast.  Very elegant!  Glorious day!  Sun shining and temperatures in the 70's.  The TripAdvisor website recommended a walk up to the old town.  There is a cathedral at the top with spectacular views of Cannes and the coast.  So up we walked.

Definitely Worth the Effort

On the way down we stopped at one of the few restaurants open in the old town - Auberge Provencale.  Had a nice chat with the owner who visits the US quite regularly.  Her next trip is to New Orleans and we assured her it would be a fun place to visit.  Lunch, as usual, was exceptional. MANY celebrity photos on walls.

Peach Champagne and Tampenade

After lunch we walked back to the hotel to pick up our bag, passing many, many fine and exclusive shops.  It is really a lovely city and we can understand why it is such a tourist destination.  We tried to imagine what it would be like during the film festival in May.  Understatement Alert: Much tougher to get a table in a restaurant or a room at a hotel during that time.  The rest of the Summer, right through the middle of September is their high season, and you can tell that in the Fall everyone is very relaxed and almost relieved to see the crowds gone.

Back to the train station and "home" again to Aix.

A little excitement back at the apartment.  They were holding a political rally in front of our building at the head of the Cours.  It seems the mayoral race is coming up.

View From Bedroom Window