Lunch on Cours Mirabeau: Cafe Terminus

Cours Mirabeau is considered one of the most beautiful streets in France and therefore anywhere. It's true; wide sidewalks, beautiful trees, classic buildings, a series of fountains, little (and often no) traffic, with La Rotunde, a magnificent fountain at one end, make the "no trip to Aix is complete without seeing ..." cliche apply to a stroll down Cours Mirabeau.

However, the cafés on Cours Mirabeau are too touristy to be worth visiting, except for Les Deux Garcons, the storied hangout of Cezanne and others, and then only for coffee. (Les Deux Garcons, 53 Cours Mirabeau, 04 42 26 00 51) That way you can say you've been there, waiting only for your relatives from some flyover state to extol the overpriced food and abyssmal service.

If you're going to eat on Cours Mirabeau, go to the very end opposite La Rotunde and eat at Cafe Terminus (Cafe Terminus, 58 Course Mirabeau, 04 42 27 69 25) which is just far enough from the hubbub to be authentique. You'll find an interesting mix of tourists, shoppers, and locals eating typical brasserie food. The salads are quite good, and the girls were glad that pizza was available. Recommended.