Aix-en-Provence is a charming little city about 3-hour train ride from Nice. To be honest, getting to the city centre wasn’t as easy as I’d hoped. You’ll have to get yourself to the Gare d’Aix-en-Provence TGV, their high speed train station, then take the bus to the city centre, which is 20km away.
The 4€ one-way bus ticket can be purchased onboard, even with credit cards, but the terminal didn’t work somehow so luckily I had some small change with me. More info here.
From the bus station, it’s another 15-20 minute walk past Zara and Five Guys, leading into the (tiny) heart of Aix-en-Provence, where you’re transported to another world. A friend (and former colleague) of mine have told me that one night in Aix-en-Provence is more than sufficient to soak it all in, but I booked for 2 nights anyway because my itinerary was still open.
Boy, was she right.
Aix-en-Provence was the perfect introduction to the Provence region for me (sorry, Nice!), and I couldn’t wait to explore my next destination: Cassis.