Aix-en-Provence
FRANCE
FRANCE
In the late autumn, when the light was still golden and it was warm enough to dip into the pool and have breakfast outside on the porch, we found ourselves living just outside Aix-en-Provence. We were staying in a beautiful villa generously offered to us by our dear friends, Ysabeau and Patrick. Nestled slightly away from the city, the house was a peaceful retreat surrounded by vineyards—yet close enough that our drives into town became a cherished ritual.
This time in Aix wasn’t just about soaking up the Provençal light or wandering cobbled streets under plane trees—though we did plenty of that—it was also the season when we founded Biensûr Spaces. The quiet, reflective energy of the place gave us the space and inspiration to imagine something new, something rooted in the essence of thoughtful design, community, and intentional living.
Driving into Aix quickly became something we looked forward to—not just for errands, but for moments of discovery and joy. We found ourselves returning again and again to a few special places—spots that felt like our own.
This time in Aix wasn’t just about soaking up the Provençal light or wandering cobbled streets under plane trees—though we did plenty of that—it was also the season when we founded Biensûr Spaces. The quiet, reflective energy of the place gave us the space and inspiration to imagine something new, something rooted in the essence of thoughtful design, community, and intentional living.
Driving into Aix quickly became something we looked forward to—not just for errands, but for moments of discovery and joy. We found ourselves returning again and again to a few special places—spots that felt like our own.
Photography, Illustrations & Assembled Words Biensûr
One of the places that left a lasting impression on us was Atelier Cézanne, the former studio of the painter Paul Cézanne, perched on a quiet hill just outside the center of Aix. Visiting the atelier felt like stepping into a still moment in time—like Cézanne had only just walked out for a break and might return at any minute. His brushes, easel, and coat were still there, bathed in the same soft northern light he once painted in.
Surrounded by the objects he carefully arranged and painted again and again, we were reminded of the value of patience, of process, and of the quiet rigor behind a creative life. For us, in the early days of shaping Biensûr, it was deeply inspiring to see how a simple room—modest but intentional—could hold so much artistic energy and presence.
Afterwards, we walked through the garden, imagining the rhythm of Cézanne’s days, the way the seasons must have moved through that house. The impressions stayed with us long after we left.
A place we could stay for hours at, was Café Caumont, which lies in the Mazarin district. Try their afternoon tea and delicious homemade cakes, and take a walk through their beautiful garden.
A contemporary art center with a beautiful canvas.
Our favorite place to come by for wine and cheese.