Elegance is a word I always think of as I walk around the streets of Aix-en-Provence. It is a city full of gorgeous architecture, many fountains and shopping galore.

Overhead on the corners of many buildings you are being watched over by saints, angels or Mary.

I love old shutters with vines growing alongside.

One of the fountains-Aix is full of them. I think this one is especially lovely.

See the little star? It’s actually made of sugar and you put it on the lip of the cup of tea or coffee and your guest can then put it into their drink. I thought it was really sweet.

The Luxembourg Gardens always look so nice. It must be because the Senate pays for its upkeep.

These urns are almost always full of flowers.

The Medici fountain is one of my favorite sites in the garden.

Another urn with its flowers reflected in the water of the fountain.

There’s a replica of the Statue of Liberty there too.

I haven’t been up to the top of the Eiffel Tower for a long time but the last time I was there with my daughter it was in the evening and there wasn’t any line to speak of so up we went.

From the bottom looking up. My daughter was surprised at how large it was. I always think it look rather delicate with the iron designs.

Far down below you can see the island where a copy of the Statue of Liberty is.

There had been a threat of rain earlier which left some clouds leading to a spectacular sky.

Loved the sun coming through the structure of the Eiffel Tower.

Here are four photos I took in Paris before we left on our trip to the States. They aren’t connected, subject-wise, other than the fact that they were all in Paris.

These are giant pencils made of chocolate-getting ready for school then-in the window of (I think) Richard. They always have really interesting items in the window made of chocolate, sometimes full size sculptures of people.

I liked the colors of these cups and saucers.

I haven’t eaten here but I want to someday. It looks really romantic inside.

The clock tower of the Gare de Lyon railroad station. I’ve always loved the look of it. I took this photo through the window of the bus I was on which explains the strange coloring.

I can tell that Autumn is here when I start seeing mushrooms for sale. One vendor in Aix always has a great variety.

Here’s a shot of the mushrooms lined up.

These were huge.

I thought these looked like sponges.

Some mushrooms cut up and ready to go. I usually end up buying the ordinary white mushrooms called Champignons de Paris which were actually once just grown in Paris.

The market in Aix seemed particularly colorful this time.

This is Provence so there have to be lavender products.

Yummy grapes. They always have seeds though. Maurice eats them seeds and all. I keep looking for seedless grapes which I occasionally find. I’m told they aren’t as flavorful.

Hard to beat a sunflower for color.

He bought some.

This makes great soup-tastes a bit like pumpkin, a bit like squash.

“I’ll take these please”. I wonder if she was going to make soup?