Its history and numerous monuments accumulated over the centuries have made Aix-en-Provence a prestigious and incomparable town of art and culture, with beautiful architecture, fine museums, sunny climate, thermal springs, colorful open-air markets, beautiful fountains and an International Music Festival. The old Royal city has become a preferred place to stay as well as a noted University town, with a relaxed and gentle way of life. Strolling down the main thoroughfare of the city, the Cours Mirabeau , a wide shady avenue lined with great plane trees, joins the large Rotonde Fountain to the Place Forbin.
Our first stop was at Librarie Le Blason , a fabulous little bookstore I had discovered last October. Rita Fidone, the owner, was expecting our visit and had called upon a well-know author, Yves Bridonneau, who came to meet us in her shop. This is the floor of the chapel that Mary Magdalene and Maximin dedicated to Jesus Christ in the first century.
It was built on an ancient Roman temple. Nearby is Chapelle Sainte-Madeleine , a chapel dedicated to Saint Mary Magdalene, which still contains the two original pillars of the Sainte Chapelle. We had the distinct privilege of being invited into the Sacristy — a room that is rarely unlocked and guarded carefully by the sacristan. I had seen in a book of relics that this sacristy contained the foot of Saint Andrew.
Last October I inquired if our Novena Tour group could perhaps view the relic. So here is a photo of a relic of one of the apostles: Le pied de St. I got in touch with Sharon when I found her Market Day painting on-line and asked permission to use it in the Novena Tour brochure. Sharon kindly agreed and now we have become good friends. She is a very sweet woman, a great artist and a wonderful human being. It is centrally located at 53 bis Cours Mirabeau under the great plane trees with a view of the Tuesday Market which stretched the length of the boulevard.
In Aix he was born, in Aix he was baptized, in Aix he was schooled, in Aix he lived most of his life and in Aix he died. Pascale drove us by Jas de Bouffan for a quick look. He loved Sainte-Victoire and painted it different times during his life, each from a different perspective. Sharon Furner, years ago in Aix…. It was a beautiful, clear, sunny day casting purple reflections.
