Well again digging, this one is a bit old…. but found photos so will need to document the trip. It was a business trip for sure, and a couple of days me think. Do not recall much other than the hotel ,food, and crossing a bridge but I know I walked the town.
This is in the area of Aix en Provence, in Bouches du Rhône dept 13 in the region of PACA. A very old area ,and only 32 km from Marseille. I have come here by train from Marseille on the TER PACA info here: https://www.ter.sncf.com/sud-provence-alpes-cote-d-azur/gares/87751404/Aix-en-Provence/pratique
I have , also, done the bus here lol! from again the gare Saint Charles in Marseille. The bus network is now call Zou on Le Car line 50; more here: https://services-zou.maregionsud.fr/fr/horaires/Le-Car/Bus/ligne/L050/direction/OUTWARD/1833
Oh well , all that to tell you went to the pont Saint Pons just outside with friends to eat and stay nearby for the meetings. A memorable experience that now seems so far and need to repeat; working on it as I write::)
The Pont Saint-Pons bridge is a road bridge crossing the Arc river at a place called Saint-Pons, west of Aix-en-Provence. Built at the beginning of the 14C, it was enlarged in the middle of the 18C, and is still in use!. The Saint-Pons bridge is located in the town of Aix-en-Provence, but about 10 km on the road D543 from the city, It allows the crossing of the Arc by the road from Marseille to Apt, between the villages of Calas , a town of Cabriès and Éguilles, an important traffic axis because it allows you to bypass Aix from the west. Yes indeed!
We discover a beautiful medieval bridge and a former 16C hotel where the Count of Grignan died and the 17C at the Chateau de Saint Pons flanked by two square towers, with outbuildings, on the other side of the bridge, which have an old classic wrought iron gate, with an ornate Louis XIII style pediment where Malherbe stayed.
A bit of history I like
The stone bridge is 45 meters long and 6 meters wide. It includes 4 arches of about 7 meters opening, 3 of which are broken and the one on the right bank is semicircular. It has 3 triangular protruding and chaperoned fronts to break the force of the water during floods. On the other hand, a single rear-beak is placed on the central pile. The building dates from the 14C ,probably before 1320 after a deed of sale of 1561 by which the nuns of Saint Bartholomew sold their toll rights to the noble Melchior Bourdon. This old family from Aix lived on the spot, to the right of the bridge. Between 1746 and 1764, the bridge was widened by approximately 4 meters for the good of Aix-en-Provence and the interests of trade, the toll having ceased to be collected in 1674. The circulation is done in alternation because it is impossible to cross in turns which present themselves at right angles.
The Aix en Provence tourist office on the bridge and domaine Saint Pons which I only passed the bridge. https://www.aixenprovencetourism.com/fr/fiche/2616/
I did stayed at the marvelous Hotel Le Pigonnet; it must have been an old cars show of glorious voitures! This is where Paul Cézanne, accustomed to this refined 18C place with a contemporary style, painted there the magnificent view from the hotel on the Sainte-Victoire mountain. This haven of peace bordered by hundred-year-old chestnut trees and a flowered rose garden in a park of more than one hectare, makes this hotel a must stay and see in Aix-en-Provence. I was lucky to be there all paid ::)
More info no this beautiful place that unfortunaly only have a shot to show of it: https://www.hotelpigonnet.com/en/pigonnet-history
And even more from the tourist office of Aix en Provence: https://www.aixenprovencetourism.com/fr/fiche/28127/
And for a general view of tourist sites in Aix en Provence, a place I need to be back in depth myself, see the City of Aix-en-Provence on its heritage here: http://www.aixenprovence.fr/Patrimoine
And there you go a brief encounter with the area around Aix en Provence from my business trips in my belle France. Something worth to have it documented in my blog for my memories and your enjoyment as well as mine. Hope you do come and visit as I will be back!
And remember, happy travels, good health, and many cheers to all!!!
Paris1972-Versailles2003 