Aix or Les Baux
 

I need to choose between shore excursions to these two towns. It will be a Sunday. any advice.

Aix is a lovely Provencal town. Les Baux is a tiny medieval village built on top of what I can only call a crag.

This is a tough one since I've been to and enjoyed both. If you are a real history buff then probably Les Baux but Aix has markets, historical sights and pretty streets to walk on, especially the Cours Mirabeau. Les Baux is the remains of a medieval town built way up onto the rocks. It is an amazing sight and the view is out over olive groves.

Having said all that I'd probably pick Aix.

And I'd pick Les Baux--it's quite extraordinary.

They are so different!!! One is a small village, the other can take you a few days to visit. I'm not one to complain about it being swamped by tourists in summer, because you see what you want to see in spite of crowds and only then will you experience the smell of the lavender, thyme and other wild herbs on the garrigue, or the late blooming field of sunflowers.

Personally, I would save Les Baux for a different trip. A Sunday in Aix would be delightful. There is plenty to keep you occupied or you can sit and soak up the ambience in a cafe. You could even do both.

Les Baux is out in the countryside and it's more fun to take your time exploring along the way and enjoying the scenery than feeling you have "only" a day to get there, see everything and return. Both will be crowded so you won't excape that. You just have to enjoy the hustle and bustle.

Whichever you choose, have a nice trip.

Les Baux is the most often visited site in that area of Provence, and on Sunday everyone and their grandmere (and family pooch) will be visting; and these are only the locals. So add the tourists to this mix, it's going to be a trial finding parking.

Do Aix on Sunday as there are more places to move around or simply settle on the Cours for "people watching" and save Les Baux for during the week.

Bye the way, the distance between Aix and Les Baux is about 60-miles.

Sandi is right--Les Baux on a Sunday would not be the best choice. Aix, however, would be find for sightseeing and just sitting in a café along the Cours Mirabeau and watching the world go by.

Great feed back, thanks to all of you. We are taking the Aix tour. Is there any chance that a few shops will be open on a Sunday. How about a suggestion for a cafe or lunch spot.

Some shops will certainly be open on Sunday--Provence is well aware of the tourist trade.