Just over two hours from The Mall Sanremo, Aix-en-Provence captivates with its understated elegance. It’s the city of Paul Cézanne, with its wide, shaded boulevards, squares with sparkling fountains, and Provençal markets filled with the scent of flowers, fruit, and spices.

Start your day in the old town with a look at the Saint-Sauveur Cathedral and its splendid cloister. For breakfast, head to Maison Weibel to try their calissons, traditional almond pastries, or let the aroma of Christophe’s freshly baked madeleines entice you.

From here, you can reach the enchanting Place Forum des Cardeurs and the Cours Mirabeau, the wide, tree-lined avenue that represents the most refined side of Aix. Among elegant hôtels particuliers, boutiques, outdoor cafés, and bistros, it’s also the perfect place to stop for lunch.

Nearby, the Musée Granet houses over 13,000 works, from old masters to modern art. Stroll through the 17th-century Mazarin district, lined with splendid buildings, and, returning to the old heart of the city, admire one of its most beautiful, the Hôtel d’Albertas, in the square of the same name. Climbing Lauves Hill, you’ll reach Paul Cézanne’s studio, which remains virtually intact. For dinner, return to the old town centre and indulge in the Provençal cuisine of Les Galinas.

If you have an extra day, head to the Luberon. Between mid-June and early August, the Abbaye Notre-Dame de Sénanque, one of Provence’s most iconic sites, is surrounded by lavender fields. Nearby, Gordes, built entirely on rock, offers spectacular views and a pleasant lunch stop on the terrace of La Table de la Bastide. In the afternoon, explore the Village des Bories, with its ancient dry-stone buildings, and the Musée de la Lavande, before concluding your trip in L’Isle-sur-la-Sorgue, known for its canals, art galleries, and riverside restaurants, such as the Michelin-starred Le Vivier Restaurant.