Holiday advice in Aix/Toulouse

[ajhurley]

Hello,

 

I am looking at taking a 8/9 day break in the South or South West in the next month or so.

 

My first choice was renting an apartment in Aix, from where I could relax there, visit Arles, the Camargue, Marseille and so on. I would like to see some musuems/galleries so this is quite a good area from which to do that. My only real concern is if Aix is ridiculously overcrowded in August, and hence uncomfortable and difficult to get a table at cafes, restaurants etc - anyone have any thoughts on this? Just to say a good, busy vibrant town is what I would like, just not for it to be like Leicester Square in London!

 

The other option if this were so is Toulouse … any thoughts on this as a holiday destination? Imagine it wouldn't be as busy as Aix etc

 

Any general advice on Aix and that area of Provence and also Toulouse?

 

Regardless of where I go, I will rent an apartment through homelidays.

 

I should add that part of the reason for the trip, as well as relaxation and seeing areas of France I have not seen before, is to try to gain an insight into 2 areas where I could potentially move for a little while in the next year or so.

 

Also, I will be travelling alone and was thinking something like couchsurfing would be a good idea for meeting people in the evening for a coffee or some drinks - any thoughts on this?

 

Thanks,

Andrew

 

[andyh4]

I cannot comment on Toulouse, but Aix en Provence is usually busy (except in deepest winter).

The thirty thousand university students will now largely be replaced by tourists. 

 

That said the town is well equiped to deal with the numbers with a large number of cafes and restaurants to meet almost any need you can imagine.

 

Your biggest problem might be finding accommodation this late - I had problems finding a hotel for 2 nights in June.