Yup I certainly agree that Aix is grossly over rated. We just got back from 3 weeks S.France and Costa Dorada Spain. Provence was wonderful and all that we expected with the exception of Aix. Avignon is lovely and driving to all those other little towns was so nice. One wonderful surprise for us was the little seaside town of Collioure. We chose here just to break up the drive from France to Spain and what a beautiful town with so much character. Throughout the trip we chose on the internet several small hotels and most had no lift. If you are over 50 which we are it can be a bit of a bother with luggage. The solution? take less luggage or pay more for the room. Do'nt get me wrong we were not at all put out but it would have been a bit more comfortable. All in all a wonderful trip. Will post more of out trip soon. trying to get my digital photos in order to make a website.had some disappointments with car rentals but thats another story.

Thanks for the mention of Collioure. It sure looks nice in photos I've seen.

Sorry you didn't like Aix. We loved it. Vive la difference.

"Yup I certainly agree that Aix is grossly over rated."

mags06, I feel your pain. That town is Aixcruciating.

Tom, I was just counting the minutes...

capo, I believe I have to let this Aix-thing go. I have put my previous posts in the Aix files, and they are now in the basement. In the future, I will leave it to others to sing the praises of Aix or shout their dislike of it. Although an Aixtreme move, as of this moment, I am Aixcommunicating myself from further discussion of Aix.

WELL AIX-Cuz me, Mait, I have something Aix-tra to say.
mags I'm glad you like Provence.
Add me to your list of Collioure lovers.

Sorry, but I liked Aix.

lweber, Aix is not unlikable but when one sees Avignon that has better restaurants, and open squares and easy transportation. I can see why the preference.On the othr hand, Aix has very beautiful fountains. Best to visit in May, avoid in July. The Cours Mirabeau, a long avenue lined on one side with cafes, the other side and old addresses on the other. The rows of statly plane trees (I love their bark) run down the centre of it punctuated by the fountains. One of the fountains, the four Dolphins, I read was the first fountain to be placed in the middle of a street in Aix rather than against a wall and that Alain Delon owned a house on the northeast corner.

lweber, Aix is not unlikable but when one sees Avignon that has better restaurants, and open squares and easy transportation. I can see why the preference.On the other hand, Aix has very beautiful fountains. Best to visit in May, avoid in July. The Cours Mirabeau, a long avenue lined on one side with cafes, the other side and old addresses on the other. The rows of statly plane trees (I love their bark) run down the centre of it punctuated by the fountains. One of the fountains, the four Dolphins, I read was the first fountain to be placed in the middle of a street in Aix rather than against a wall and that Alain Delon owned a house on the northeast corner.

Don't let Capo keep you down, Tom--I'm with you and mags06! I found it Aixasperating!

...and not even Aix-rated!

I'm always interested in these "overrated-underrated" posts, patticularly because in so many of them there don't seem to be many details as to WHY they are "over" or "under"...perhaps these feelings arise from one's inner sense that is hard to put into words!
Of course, the old adage about "one man's treasure being another man's junk"
also comes to mind.

"there don't seem to be many details as to WHY they are "over" or "under"..."

Damn, I knew I couldn't stay out of this. I believe if you read the thread "Aix Marks the Spot" you will see this subject was written about until all points of view were Aixhausted.

Mags06:

You said...."One wonderful surprise for us was the little seaside town of Collioure."

Are you a fellow Peter Gethers fan? If not, you may be interested to read his light-hearted books "The Cat Who Went To Paris" and "A Cat Abroad". They're about his travels with his wise and wonderful cat, Norton. In the second book, he devotes a whole chapter to Collioure.

Collioure is very nice, too bad the sardine museum is gone, take note,if you are reading an old travel book.