Creative Writing Musts in Aix & Paris?

April 21, 2008 8:35 AM

Help me create a literary tour of both Aix-en-Provence and Paris.

I'm looking for a slew of places, activities, pastimes, even readings with which to enrich a group of teenage creative writing students this summer.

From the touristy (we'll certainly have coffee and write in our journals at Les Deux Magots) to the lesser known, I welcome all suggestions. Even quiet or provocative spaces for writing would be splendid.

I know Aix's literary draws are fewer, but I'm looking for good recommendations for both cities.

posted by annabellee to travel & transportation around Paris, France (4 answers total)

Place des Vosges is a beautiful spot and would be my choice for a great place for peace, quiet and reflection in the middle of the city. It has the added literary bonus that Victor Hugo used to live at number 6.
posted by jontyjago at 8:57 AM on April 21, 2008

For Paris, you may want to contact the folks at Paris Walks and see if they can do a private walking tour for you. Their tours tend towards the intellectual anyway, on the walks I've done with them the guides were often professors from the Sorbonne, etc.

Aix is a university town full of student life; you might be able to get some ideas from the university there.
posted by Nelson at 9:11 AM on April 21, 2008

I can't make any specific recommendations for Aix, but Emile Zola grew up there, so you might want to research his old hang outs, and sites appearing in his novels.
posted by teg at 9:16 AM on April 21, 2008

You can take a day trip to Mt. St. Victoire, just outside of Aix (make sure to check out the bayng donkeys at the maison de mt st victoire). Visit the port in Marseille (30 min bus ride). go out in the countryside.

i'm living in aix now, feel free to mefi mail for more.
posted by tip120 at 9:38 AM on April 21, 2008