Our time in France was expected to be cloudy and rainy, but we took our chances with travelling to Cassis for a picnic and a hike. And we got lucky! It was cool and windy, but with patches of sun that made the trip more than worthwhile.
Cassis is famous for its Calonques, fingers of land that extend into the Mediterranean and drop down into cliffs into the water. This was my first glimpse of the Mediterranean Sea and with the sunshine I was not disappointed. We lunched on the edge of a Calonque, enjoying Mathilde's rice salad in the wind, and we hiked for several hours, visiting each calonque, watching the sailboats and the climbers, enjoying the sun. Mathilde tells us that Cassis is the origin of the foundation of the Statue of Liberty, and these smooth white rocks were everywhere.
Later Alex and I scuttled out onto the rocks to put our toes in the Mediterranean. It was warm and the water looked SO inviting. Oh, but it was cold!! In the first instant it was refreshing, and then painfully freezing.
After concluding our natural adventure we meandered into the tiny fishing village, where we drank Perrier and ate French churros, gazing at a castle overlooking the sea.
The next day we headed to Aix-en-Provence. It was windy once again, cloudy, but with occasional and beautiful phases of sun. We visited a museum that compared the lives and art of Picasso and Cezanne, which was really interesting. And FREE! The exhibition was interactive and fun.
We walked the city center, observing the cathedrals and tiny streets. Aix, for me, though beautiful, was most special because of the atmosphere. Its population lounged on cafe terraces, catching up with friends, enjoying good coffee, relaxing, studying. The environment was peaceful, friendly, altogether calming.
We went to a creperia for lunch and once again ate our fill.
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