New York Habitat Blog

The hottest ticket in the South of France this summer is the Exhibition “Picasso Cézanne” at the Musée Granet of Aix en Provence, and New York Habitat wants to make sure you have a apartment to stay in when you go to see it.

Aix-en-Provence, France

Did you know that Picasso was a huge fan of Cézanne? He even owned three of his works. The exhibition highlights the influences of Cézanne on Picasso’s development as an artist, as well as thematic similarities in their works.  It’s a must-see exhibition that will thrill fans of both artists.

Although you may not have heard of it previously, the Musée Granet of Aix en Provence is no lightweight.  Recently renovated, it is permanent home to a stunning sculpture gallery as well as an extensive landscapes collection and an impressive number of 17th century Italian paintings.

While you’re in the area, make an appointment to tour the Château de Vauvenargues, where Picasso lived for several years - and a site he chose specifically for its proximity to Cézanne.  This is the first time the Château is being opened for public viewing, and is guaranteed not to be overrun with tourists thanks to the guided tours, limited to less than 20 people each.

So, art lovers, what do you say - a little sun, a little fun, and a little art appreciation in the South of France? Excellent!  These New York Habitat vacation accommodations are sure to fit your style.

We simply adore this 2-bedroom rental in Aix en Provence (PR-348).  It’s so light and airy, and the flooring is to die for. Both the dining room and the kitchen have access to a long balcony overlooking the gardens, with a beautiful view of the countryside of Aix - you can even catch sight of the Montagne Sainte Victoire.

South of France Accommodation: Studio Vacation Rental (PR-311)

This 4-bedroom rental in Aix en Provence (PR-919) is great for larger groups or families. With rooms on two levels, everyone has plenty of room - and the open-plan living area ensures that no one is “stuck” in the kitchen alone! And best of all, while it is in the heart of Aix it has a private garden for al fresco dining, all summer long.

For more intimate accommodations, try a studio in Aix en Provence (PR-311). The location is ideal if you want to enjoy the cosmopolitan air of Aix en Provence and experience what is like to live independently as a true native. It’s just a stone’s throw from the Aix en Provence City Hall on Place des Cardeurs, and all the shops, restaurants, groceries, cafés, schools and colleges are nearby.

Once you see the Picasso Cézanne exhibit share your comments below.

As you pack up the kids to head back to school, perhaps you are feeling a little nostalgic for your own school days.  Why not try and capture some of your collegiate spirit in one of the oldest university towns in Europe, Aix-en-Provence?  You won’t have to live in musty old dorm rooms with a luxurious apartment rental from New York Habitat.

Aix en Provence terrace

Ideally located in the heart of Provence, Aix-en-Provence has been known as a university town since 1409. To this day, its reputation stands and is home to some of the most prestigious, and oldest, universities in France.  But if you’re not all about books and studying, don’t worry; there are plenty of extra-curricular activities in Aix as well.

Museums abound in Aix, especially since the painter Paul Cézanne called this town home for much of his life.  Besides a museum built around Cézanne’s studio, his father’s house, and the surrounding grounds, is now also partially open to the public.  There are also quite a few museums dedicated to Aix’s history, which is quite extensive considering it dates back to 123 BC!  Aix is also well known for its fountains, bell towers, and architecture. Stroll about town, or rent a bike to get you around, and soak up the French atmosphere.  After your day of sight-seeing, head to Les Deux Garçons, a brasserie that’s been around since 1792 and has served such remarkable clients as Cézanne, French author Emile Zola, and American author Ernest Hemingway!

South of France accommodation: 1-bedroom in Aix en Provence (PR-432)

New York Habitat has plenty of terrific accommodations for your stay in Aix-en-Provence.  Some notable choices are:

•    This 2 bedroom rental in the heart of Aix (PR-755).  Located on the top floor of its building, this apartment offers spectacular views, especially from its large balcony.  The apartment itself is nicely furnished and well-equipped.  Best of all, you’ll be steps from the center of town and all the major sites!

•    You can also stay in this 2 bedroom rental in Aix-en-Provence (PR-479), which is also a penthouse apartment, and also located in the center of Aix.  This apartment is a nice mixture of old and new, with gleaming hardwood floors and exposed ceiling beams.  Enjoy the views or dine al fresco style from your two balconies!

•    This 1 bedroom rental in Aix-en-Provence (PR-432) is also available for you.  This apartment, also located in the center of Aix, is very modern but will still make you feel right at home since it retains some of its French charm with its large windows.  Like the other two apartments, this one also has a balcony so that you might continue to enjoy the sights and sounds of Aix even when you’re not in town.

There are plenty of reasons to relive our back-to-school days in the university town of Aix-en-Provence this fall.  Aix is a wonderful city to visit in its own right, but all the schools, universities, and other educational programs located here give Aix a more youthful and fun atmosphere, despite the city’s age. But you don’t have to live like a student with a great vacation apartment rental from New York Habitat.

Have you been to Aix-en-Provence before?  What did you like about the city?  Please share your thoughts with us in your comments section.

Velib velo France

Since July, Parisians have been taking advantage of Vélib (from the French vélo en libre service), the city’s new eco-friendly shared bike service that makes it easy to forego fuel-eating cars for something kinder to the environment.

The public bike rental system is (almost) free, and has become the hip new way for city-dwellers and tourists alike to get to work, run errands or take a leisurely jaunt through the city. To rent a bike, simply head to one of Paris’ 750 renting stations and swipe a credit card at the “borne”, or atm-like machine, get a bicycle pass, unlock the bike, and take off! The first half-hour is free; or you can purchase one hour (1 Euro), a week (5 Euros), or apply for a yearly pass (29 Euros) by mail. When finished with your ride, simply park the bike an any station near your stopping point. Well-equipped with baskets and easily-adjustable seats, these bicycles are making alternative transit easy and fun!

Not long after Parisians began enjoying the hop-on-and-ride system, Marseilles and Aix en Provence are following suit, encouraging citizens to opt for a “greener” ride. In Aix en Provence, green and red three-speed bicycles line up at the town’s 16 “V’Hello” stations. And Marseille plans to have 1,000 bikes at 130 stations ready to ride some time this fall.

Already popular with locals, public bike-sharing in France also appeals to vacationers who want to take in outdoor sights while learning their way around these navigable cities.

Paris Accommodation (PA-3306)

If you’re planning to explore Paris, Marseille or Aix en Provence, by bike or otherwise, New York Habitat offers a number of vacation accommodations in all three cities that suit any need.

For those wishing to take advantage of Paris’ 230 miles of cycling lanes, consider this New York Habitat offering: a two bedroom apartment in Port Royal- St. Michel- St. Germain- Notre Dame (PA3306), neighboring the Luxembourg Gardens in the famous Latin Quarter. It puts you within short biking or walking distance of the Sorbonne, the Seine River and many outdoor markets. This apartment is also conveniently located around the corner from two bicycle renting stations.

2 Bedroom Rental in Aix en Provence (PR-728)

In the South of France, this two-bedroom accommodation in Marseille (PR772) makes the perfect spot from which to cycle around the Mediterranean port: it is located next to the “Vieux Port” and the Cannèbiere, in the center of town. While there, you might enjoy riding through the cobbled streets of Le Panier, the city’s oldest quarter, or to one of the many restaurants nearby to sample Marseille’s world-renowned bouillabaisse.

Also in the South of France, this one bedroom apartment in Aix en Provence (PR834) is in an ideal location to discover one of the top towns to visit in the South of France. Take a leisurely ride through tree-lined avenues of the Cours Mirabeau, past fountains and historical mansions of this very bike-able city. Or, stay in this two-bedroom villa in Aix en Provence (PR728), just five minutes from the center of town, where you can have lunch on the terrace shaded by wisteria, or take a swim in the pool.

So, do you think the bike-share system is an environmentally-friendly alternative that could eventually convince people to give up their cars?

Paris Velib Station photos from Wikipedia

As we continue our journey around the Southern France we have chosen Aix-en-Provence as #3 in the count down of the Top Towns to Visit South of France.

Once the capital of Provence, Aix-en-Provence has maintained the majesty and style that comes with being an economic and cultural center. Cours Mirabeau is the center of this charming town. This tree-lined avenue is the perfect place to take a scenic stroll or to watch passersby from one of the many cafés.

Home to several art schools and universities Aix-en-Provence has become the site of several annual festivals such as the International Festival of Lyric Arts and Music and The Dance Festival.

Of note are the fountains and architecture of the town. Aix-en-Provence is often referred to as the city of a thousand fountains. The town is known for its many ornate and flowered squares and beautiful fountains.

New York Habitat has many available accommodations in the architecturally magnificent town of Aix-en-Provence:

· Studio apartment near Aix-en-Provence (PR-662) with access to a pool
· One-bedroom apartment rental in Aix-en-Provence (PR-411)
· Four-bedroom villa just outside of Aix-en-Provence (PR-832) that can accommodate up to 9 people

To recap the winners so far here are #5 and #4 again:

• Top Towns to visit in the South of France: Saint-Rémy-de-Provence #5
• Top Towns to visit in the South of France: Nice, French Riviera: #4

The countdown is getting closer and closer to the coveted #1 spot. Check back to the New York Habitat Blog next week to find out the town featured as the #2 town in the South of France.

If you’re looking to escape the hectic cities of the world, consider renting this furnished villa in Aix-en-Provence.

We have selected this four-bedroom villa (PR-386) in the South of France from our many accommodations for several reasons: positive feedback from previous clients, the large garden and family-sized quarters, and the proximity to the region’s and city’s transportation network.

This Aix-en-Provence Villa:

Many of our offerings in Southern France are well suited to families looking to spend time in a quieter location, but this apartment offers extra amenities including a first floor master suit, single-sized beds in some of the upstairs bedrooms, and two large bathrooms.

Furthermore, this apartment, set in a residential neighborhood, offers spectacular gardens that include a vegetable bed, various plants and a patio with a large dining table and BBQ grill.

Feedback about this villa:

The villa created an “enchanted stay.”
and
“The owners were charming and helpful.”

Location of this villa in Provence:

This villa is located two miles from the center of Aix-en-Provence and 15 miles from Marseilles. Transportation in the area is convenient with the main TGV line running from Paris to Aix-en-Provence in under three hours and car rentals are available directly at the train station.

Furthermore, direct flights from the U.S. are available to Nice Cote d’Azur Airport and connecting flights from international destinations are available to the airport in Marseilles.

For more on Provence and the South of France read:

• Grape harvest in Provence - France
• Cypress trees welcome you to Provence
• A Writer’s Retreat in the South of France
• An American in the Southeast of France

With positive reviews, a central location and a well laid out villa and garden, this offering is perfect to consider for a group looking to explore Provence and the South of France.