View from our terrace at 27 rue Papassaudi, Aix en Provence, France.
Our rooftop apartment, nestled on top of a 15th century 4th floor walk up, in the old city, was awesome. Situated at the corner of rue Espariat, the highest hill in the old part of Aix and just behind Cours Mirabeau, the main drag and considered one of the most beautiful streets in any city in France. Gorgeous wide sidewalks with huge sycamores on both sides: one side lined with cafes where the likes of Cézanne and Zola hung out.

The other side lined with amazing architectural details like giant men (caryatids) holding up decorative balconies above giant doorways. Some risqué even for the period showing pubic hair, oh la la! Then an over the top fountain at one end filling the entire round about, adorned with lions, dolphins and a huge goddess all spouting water from their mouths on numerous tiers creating an umbrella of flowing water. Interspersed along the boulevard more fountains at the center of each intersection carrying natural spring waters that were either steaming warm or refreshingly cold!

At the other end of the “Cours” was a statue of “Good King René” who had established Aix as a center of culture and the arts; in addition it was a major outpost in a few centuries of mutual catholic-protestant slaughters. Although there was two way traffic the boundaries between pedestrians and vehicles was very subtle and the pedestrians had absolute right of way.