Provence – The Luberon

For my birthday I am keeping with my tradition of heading somewhere new. Although I have been to The Luberon Area in Provence, I had never explored Aix-En-Provence. The old town is so charming. We happend upon the most delicious pizza place.

 

 

Aix-En-Provence

Le Four Aixois - This pizza place is not to miss. We had lunch here I think the best pizza I had the whole trip. It is very inexpensive, super friendly service and cute no frills decor. They have a would burning pizza oven in the back. The power went out in the whole building and they used the oven for light.
4 Rue Boulegon, 13100 Aix-en-Provence, France

 

Mana - delicious coffee, I stopped by here twice. They also serve food, which looks pretty yummy, you should make a reservation if you want to eat. 

Shop right next to Mana - There is a really cute tiny home store a few doors down. It sells traditional Provence home goods, soaps, linens, ceramics.....

The old town of Aix-En-Provence is so charming. Plan to spend the day wondering around the streets. There are tons of cute shops, lots of jewelry, linens, and clothing.

***There is a big parking deck in the middle of town (its a bit of bottleneck so prepare to be patient). Bring your parking ticket with you and pay before you get on elevators down to parking deck.

STAY

This was my second stay in Bonnieux and I love staying in this charming town. It is located on the side of a hill and the views of Provence are incredible. The first place we stayed in 2020 was my favorite place and I highly recommend it. Check out my post from that trip here.
Townhome in Bonnieux

This trip we stayed here. The home is beautiful, every single detail. The negative for me were the staircase up to the upstairs 2 bedrooms. It is so old and narrow and no real railing that I found you did not want to go upstairs at all. The other downfall is there is no view. Since we knew that there is a view when facing the other direction we missed this.

Bonnieux

We were in Bonniux Sunday, Monday and Tuesday and so a lot of places were closed! The Boulengerie was closed the whole time were were there and it is the only breakfast/ coffee spot besides Capelongue. Just wander around and there are charming places to eat everywhere (make sure to make a reservation) and plan ahead if you are there on Sunday and Monday as a lot of places are closed.

Capelongue, a Beaumier hotel

We ate breakfast here every morning! Capelongue is a gorgeous hotel just a short drive above Bonnieux, you could walk. The breakfast is amazing. They serve fresh produce (green figs in September) and jams from their properties. The breakfast is more on the expensive side 35 euros, but a great place to hang out relax and map out your day.

The Capelongue has a few restaurants on site.
CAFÉ CAPELONGUE - is more casual cafe style. We didn't eat here this trip, but looks very cute.
LA BERGERIE - is currently being renovated, but ate here a few years ago. Loved it and looking forward to going back. Everything is cooked on an open fire! Apparently that is one of the reasons for the renovation as it got insanely smokey in the restaurant.
LA BASTIDE- Michelin starred restaurant. I haven't eaten here but imagine it is lovely.

Casa Bonilis - located in the heart of Bonnieux
This was my absolute favorite a few years ago and we came back here for my Birthday dinner (it was closed all the other nights we were in town). It wasn't as good as I remember, but I am thinking it was just a fluke. They didn't have the pesto gnocchi, which I was drooling for. I will for sure give it another chance on my next trip.
4 place Carnot 84480 Bonnieux, France | +33 4 90 71 18 02

Lourmarin

Another great town in this area.

SHOP
L'Antiquaire - This is a gem, I bought the cutest bag made out of old grain sacs. The shop owner makes them!
9 Rue du Grande Pré, 84160 Lourmarin

Paris

 Le Marais is one of those areas in Paris that you will just never be able to get enough of. The neighborhood is packed to the gills with exciting cafes, boutiques and boulangeries… to pop into.  Below I am sharing a selection of my personal favorites in Le Marais:

Stay

Le Marais
Le Marais

Maleka Designs Paris
Beautiful Marais Apartment across from the Picasso Museum
2
2 Rue de Thiorny Le Marais Paris | Airbnb.com
Living like a local, not a tourist is always my aim when traveling. This airbnb is authentic Parisian living located in the heart of my favorite neighborhood Le Marais. Charming, stylish, peaceful and light filled one-bedroom apartment, beautifully renovated and furnished with antique pieces.

Dine

Folks and Sparrows - Paris

Used Book Cafe - Paris

Broken Arm - Paris

CINÉMA CAFÉ - Paris

Café Charlot Paris

Boots Café - Paris

 

Café Charlot – best for lunch
38 Rue de Bretagne
This is the place to be in Le Marais. I can sit here for hours soaking in all the fashionable people.  The menu is simple and delicious, the chèvre chaud is devine!

Folks and Sparrows – best for breakfast
14 Rue Sain Sebastian, Paris 75011
Adorable rustic café tucked away on a quiet street in Le Marais. Loved it for breakfast.

Used Book Cafe  – best for afternoon coffee after shopping at Merci
111 boulevard Beaumarchais 75003 Paris (located on ground floor of  Merci)
Rendez-vous over a cup of coffee or for a quick lunch surrounded  by over 10,000 books. Loved it for an apres shopping at Merci cappuccino stop.

Cinèma Café – best for  lunch
Bright, chic, fun vibe, great place to meet for lunch around a plate of charcuterie, salad or soup. Try the ginger lemonade.

Broken Arm – best for breakfast
12 Rue Perrée, 75003 Paris
Offers great coffee in a trendy setting inside or out.

Boots Café – best for breakfast or a late afternoon pick me up
19 Rue du Pont Choux, 75003
Open 10 – 6
Paris’s smallest coffee shop. They advertise Coffee to go, but its super cute cafe decor will make you want to stay at one of the two tiny tables and enjoy your coffee there.

Marché des Enfants
39 Rue de Bretagne, 3rd
At 400-years-old, the Marais-based Marché des Enfants Rouges is worth browsing whether you’re hungry or not (you can always stock up on fresh cut flowers, fruits, vegetables and the best butter you will ever have).

Shop

Merci –  Concept Store
111 blvd du Beaumarchais
It is impossible to go to Le Marais without spending some time wandering through my favorite concept store. Great spot for gifts, check out the Merci line of lines, to have a café crème in their Used Book Café or a bite to eat in the chic Cinema Café.

Isabel Marant
47 Rue de Saintonge, 75003 Paris
Bought the coziest sweater here. Beautiful chic french line

Closed
Rue Debelleyme 22
German company, most clothing is made in Italy. They are known for their denim, but I purchased a beautiful small leather cross saddle bag.

Le Labo Fragrances
7, rue Froissart 75003 Paris
Paris is the place to purchase perfume. Le Labo makes 10 handmade exclusive scents which they customize for you in the shop !

 

 Venturing outside of Le Marais

Buvette Paris

Vélib
For 8 euros for a week pass you can bike around the city using one of the 20,000 bikes available in the city. You pick up the bike at one destination and deliver it at another. Be sure to check out the bikes before picking yours, as they often have flat tires…. Biking can be daunting in Paris, stick to the smaller streets and it is a great way to get around. Most busy roads have a bike/bus lane.

Claus– favorite time breakfast, must make a reservation
14 Rue Jean-Jacques Rousseau, 75001
On the ground floor there’s a carefully curated selection of biscuits, mueslis, jams and other condiments, and in the green-carpeted dining room upstairs, you settle at a white table for a good feed. Combines a chic boutique vibe with a cozy home atmosphere.  Ride bikes from the Marais.

Buvette –  9ème – South Pigalle – favorite time dinner
28 Rue Henry Monnier, 75009 Paris, France
Rustic chic French bistro. Short and sweet menu, order a lot and share. I dream of the tartines slathered in mint pesto and fava beans and for desert the peach tart with whipped crème fraiche.

Cafe Charlot - Paris