Back in Aix-en-Provence and Off to See Cezanne’s Mountain …

It’s been a long time, much too long, since I’ve been in Aix-en-Provence. I think the last time was 2007.

But I’m back … and when I arrived yesterday, late in the afternoon, from Paris, my rental bike was waiting for me at the Hotel Cardinal. Here it is …

Nice, right? I brought the handlebar bag with me, as I’m on my own and like to carry my own mini pump and tools. The mini pump and tools you get from bike-rental places are generally sub par. I also like to carry lots of snacks, as you never know when and where you’ll find a little supermarche. And, I’m old school and still put a Michelin map in the plastic sleeve on top of my handlebar bag. I do know how to, and use, Google offline maps, but Michelin maps are so much better.

Anyway, I’m off in a little bit, to do a loop around Mt. Ste-Victoire, the mountain Cezanne loved to paint. It’s one of my favorite rides, and one of the reasons I’m starting my trip here in Aix.