Aix en Provence, France - Anna Wu Photography

We were wandering the delightful little streets of Aix (pronounced much like “ex”), exploring the town before it was time for dinner, when we came upon a small courtyard to our right. It looked like some sort of small festival or event was going on inside. As we peered in, clearly wondering what it could be, a woman welcomed us inside. A small art fair. The most adorable little art fair. If it hadn’t already captured my heart with its beautiful alleys and its sprawling flea markets, well it certainly captivated me then. Aix en Provence:

This was the most charmingly decorated airbnb. And it was four stories tall, with a winding staircase connecting all the floors.

There’s nothing like an antiques market in Provence. I, of course, ended up buying a serving platter from Japan. Of course.

Trusty travel companions: Michael, Kristin, & Sherry.

The little art fair we happened upon! A bed in a courtyard! Watercolor prints! Right up my alley.

Wondering what’s in that cellar of ours…

On the last day, we made a mini excursion out to the painter Cezanne’s atelier where he once lived and painted toward the end of his life.

No photos allowed inside the studio itself, but I loved seeing the plain little room where an artist once created so much. It’s a plain square room, notable mostly for the beautiful window light and for all the objects that line the shelves and sides of the studio: fruit, bowls and vases, stools, small tables, and an old outfit of Cezanne’s. They’re instantly familiar to anyone who’s seen his boldly outlined, slightly off-kilter still life paintings.

Afterwards, we continued our hike upward to the top of the neighborhood where Cezanne staged his many, many (over 65) paintings of another favorite subject of his: Mont Sainte-Victoire. A small display at the top shows some of the paintings that are now scattered about in museums around the world. I’ve since seen them myself in Philadelphia, Cincinnati, and here in San Francisco.

Mont Sainte-Victoire.

And with that, our time in Aix came to a close. Next time, I’m coming back for the lavender fields!

Anna Wu is a wedding and portrait photographer based in San Francisco but often traveling and working around the world. She creates beautiful, soft, and timeless imagery while capturing the most fleeting of moments. View her work at annawu.com, follow her daily adventures on instagram, or contact her to book your own session today.

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