Coming for the first time to Aix-en-Provence David Gradic had originally planned to enjoy a relaxing holiday on the French Riviera and recharge before the upcoming online poker series But a stop at Pasino Grand for the €1,000 World Series of Poker Circuit Main Event turned into a successful detour as the Slovenian player emerged victorious from a field of 1,433 entries The WSOP Circuit gold ring and the top prize of €160,000 brought a huge smile to Gradic’s face but his joy only grew when he learned he also secured a seat for the $10,000 WSOP Main Event this summer in Las Vegas along with an entry to the WSOP Tournament of Champions next month in Los Angeles Gradic put on a dominant performance at the final table Among them were WSOP bracelet winner Julien Sitbon (6th - €26,000) whose unorthodox style helped him clinch runner-up for €110,500 Primarily an online player who began his poker journey in 2017 Gradic is still relatively new to the live scene he had only recorded four cashes since 2023 But among them was already a first-place finish last July With a WSOP Circuit stop taking place on the French Riviera Gradic decided to take a detour from his holiday to chase a shot at glory in the Main Event However things didn’t go smoothly at first: “On my first bullet I got in with aces against ace-eight and flop went blank Gradic stayed near the top of the chip counts all the way through "I had a smooth sailing and also a good table selection Gradic quietly made his way through the tournament only truly revealing himself when it was time to send an opponent to the rail I was just more lucky than others at the right spots and when I got it in One or two people cracked me but that's it," he said modestly That good run continued on the final table where he came in with the second-biggest stack: "I had some maneuver space to not get myself into a danger zone and it just went perfect." with EPT Monte-Carlo starting just a few kilometers away from Aix-en-Provence next week will Gradic extend his holiday and take a shot at the prestigious event but I need three or four days off just to realize everything so I just wanted to play this one tournament and relax a bit before the online poker series starts on May 11,” he explained If Monaco is a tentative “maybe,” Gradic was more cautious when it came to plans for the summer World Series of Poker in Las Vegas I want to have a bankroll big enough to play the events I want,” he said right before PokerNews informed him that his victory also came with a $10,000 ticket to the WSOP Main Event his eyes lighting up as he realized his dream could come true in just a few months With the field now down to five players, the first break of the day arrived and so did a noticeable slowdown in the action after the restart. Staes managed to double up again, and even scored a third double-up by flopping the nut flush against eventual winner Gradic Staes’ elimination in fourth place for €58,400 left Gradic holding a stack twice as large as his last two opponents. His lead continued to grow, and the cards kept falling his way like when he picked up pocket aces to eliminate Hallay with ace-queen (3rd - €79,250) Heads-up play against Amirault (2nd - €110,500) then lasted only a few minutes before Gradic sealed the win claiming the title of 2025 WSOP Circuit Aix-en-Provence Main Event champion That concludes the coverage here in Aix-en-Provence for the WSOP Circuit but be sure to follow PokerNews for live updates and coverage on tournaments from all around the globe David Gradic in the big blind raised to 1,800,000 and Amirault called The dealer fanned a flop of 4♣J♦2♦ where Gradic bet 1,000,000 Amirault immediately raised all-in for 8,200,000 and Gradic snap-called Both players flopped a pair but Gradic had the best one and the 6♠ river crowned Gradic as the new WSOP Circuit Main Event champion David Gradic on the button raised to 1,200,000 and Thierry Amirault in the big blind called Gradic bet 700,000 on the J♥2♠K♣ flop and was called then both players checked the Q♣ turn and the 4♦ river Gradic flipped over 7♣7♠ for a pair and won this pot against Amirault's 10♦2♥ Thierry Amirault on the left and David Gradic on the right are back at their seats The final two players will now play for the WSOP Circuit gold ring and the first-place prize of €160,000 which comes with a $10,000 WSOP Main Event ticket David Gradic has a large chip lead for now with 100 big blinds Axel Hallay called from the small blind then went into the tank after David Gradic raised to 1,800,000 Hallay eventually moved all-in for 14,200,000 and Gradic snap-called Hallay was still hoping for a king on 10♣J♦A♥ but the J♥3♦ runout dashed his hopes and he was eliminated in third place for €79,250 David Gradic in the small blind opened to 2,000,000 from the small blind and Thierry Amirault defended from the big blind They both checked all the way through a board of J♠8♥5♠2♥ Amirault quickly called with 6♣5♥ for a pair but lost to Gradic's better pair with 10♣8♠ Axel Hallay in the small blind and David Gradic in the big blind faced each other on a flop of 9♥5♥Q♥ He fired a second barrel of 2,100,000 on the J♠ river with K♥J♣ but Gradic called twice with Q♦2♥ for trips David Gradic on the button raised to 1,200,000 and faced Axel Hallay who defended from the big blind The dealer fanned a flop of 5♥7♦K♦ where Gradic continued for 700,000 Gradic called and it was the last aciton of the hand as both players checked the 9♦ river but lost to Gradic's two pair with K♠J♥ + Get the Texas Hold'em Poker Cheat Sheet - FREE PokerNews.com is the world’s leading poker website visitors will find a daily dose of articles with the latest poker news Disclaimer: any promotions presented on this page were correct and available at the time of writing We encourage all users to check the promotion displayed matches the most current promotion available by clicking through to the operator welcome page Please read the terms and conditions carefully before you accept any promotional welcome offer modified or distributed without the express prior written permission of the copyright holder Ava Adelaja a few weeks before I submitted my official commitment to Princeton I found myself wandering one of the many expositions featured in Princeton Preview (the University's official admitted prospective student event) Proudly adorning my status as a Prospective Student and eager to introduce myself to anyone and everyone who could speak to the beauty of my soon-to-be Princeton experience I arrived giddily at the French and Italian department's academic expo table After an unsuccessful attempt to show off my shabby oral French skills I was quickly handed a pamphlet for a summer study-abroad program that was "sure to help" me become a better French speaker A month-long immersive French-learning program in the Provencal city of Aix-en-Provence I'm pretty sure I shivered as I read the flyer: the idea of spending a month in a foreign country just a few short weeks after completing what was sure to be a stressful first year did not seem appealing to me at all I found myself gripping that same brochure as I stepped off my eight-hour-long flight from DC to Paris gearing myself up to brave a new foreign terrain entirely on my own A fear of loneliness was the force that drove most of my anxiety from the time I received my official acceptance into the program up until when my plane touched down in France I had formed my own bubble of non-French speakers and non-French students all of whom would be thousands of miles away as I attempted to navigate my new life in the French-speaking world I was absolutely terrified of being on my own in France this fear was quickly whisked away amidst the chaos of the Charles de Gaulle airport where I awaited my connecting flight to Marseille with tired shoulders from the heavy backpack and overpacked purse that I had unwisely lugged through the airport I all-but collapsed into the seat at my terminal gate But before I could fall too far into my airport despair "Do you go to Princeton?" I don't think I'd ever seen the girl who asked this question She had recognized me due to the Princeton sweatshirt I had untidily wrapped around my shoulders --- a sweatshirt I'll forever be grateful for because Launching into laments about the horrors we'd witnessed in this airport and bonding over anxieties over being newly minted traveling Americans who'd soon have to rely on communicating in a language we were still learning our conversation was the most relieving breath of fresh air It was so validating to meet someone who was just as terrified for the upcoming month as me And she quickly helped me learn my second lesson of the trip My Second Lesson: It’s okay to be scared living abroad for a month came with a plethora of other anxieties Will I be able to talk to my family back home Will my French be any better by the time I was leaving than when I arrived I chastised myself for being so anxious about an experience that — on the exterior — was sure to be once in a lifetime and magical (as I was told repeatedly by many family and friends) I recognize now that my anxieties only made me human I was jumping headfirst into a place I had never been before with millions of questions to which I didn't have the answers I smile to myself with the recognition that I can delightedly answer the questions that had plagued my mind before this trip And that the beauty of these answers and the memories that come with them far exceed any anxiety that I felt in the past. Anything and everything: strawberry gelato from any shop that offers it samples of bread from the artisanal markets that fill the city three-euro hot pizza from Caprese pizza stalls ratatouille on the nights when my host mother is feeling extra generous I was placed with an incredibly kind woman who was eager to teach me about the Provençal French culture and lifestyle and our respective lives in our respective countries the last day of the program just happened to be my birthday and she wished for me to have French patisserie on my special day my nut and egg allergies were a roadblock for this wish I enjoyed nut-free and egg-free raspberry tarts (which she had hunted down) on my birthday and last day in Aix I spent most of my days surrounded by my new friends Even when we stayed out later than I'd feel comfortable in my hometown I cherished the ability to just wander a foreign city after dark with friends Some of my best memories of the trip were getting lost at midnight in search of a late-night snack or good music (We were lucky enough to be in France during one of their major holidays It's a day-long music festival that continues deep into the night my friends and I wandered the town together The first week of classes in Aix-en-Provence was extremely daunting I felt buried in readings and had to start decoding the French of my local professors who happened to don very heavy Marseille accents (the accent worn by most people who live in the South of France) I quickly learned that I'd get out what I put into my academic work during the program I worked hard to speak French as regularly as possible — with the city locals and my classmates I scoured the French-English dictionary for unfamiliar words from my readings and did my best to utilize them in my speech and writing I hunkered down for hours in humid cafés to scrawl out the best possible essays I could and read meticulously over my professors' feedback correcting every little phonetic mistake I could catch when I could speak with my Uber drivers and restaurant servers in fluid French with little insecurity over bad accents or mispronunciations I felt immensely proud of how far my French had come but the development of my language skills — skills which I believe will take me far in life the city of Aix-en-Provence was our oyster we were whisked off to some of the most gorgeous landscapes in the South of France. the town where renowned writer Albert Camus did most of his writing. Promenading around the gorgeous lavender fields of Valensole. A visit to a boulangerie to make baguettes A trip to a vineyard to see how wine is made (and taste it Hiking through the "Petit Colorado," or what some call the Grand Canyon of France. Visiting gorgeous cities on mountaintops and getting to see Provence belly-up But despite the gorgeous sights I was exposed to every week and weekend I think most of the fun came from witnessing these sights with good and kind friends — giddily taking photos of one another in front of the gorgeous blue of the Mediterranean hunting down coffee-shops in the middle of quiet towns laughing our way out of sleep-deprivation on the early-morning buses which carried us to our weekend excursions Even without the beauty of the south of France I truly believe I would've left this trip satisfied solely by the friends I made Which brings me to my final lesson of the trip My Third Lesson: Put Yourself Out There I tend to stick to the bubble I know: studying in the same places All of that went out of the window during my month in Aix-en-Provence I was forced to break out of my bubble: go to lunch with a peer who was ultimately a stranger work on a project with someone I'd seen once or twice around campus In addition to fulfilling a lifelong wish to live abroad and improve my French language skills I think I'm most proud of the conversations I struck up with the strangers learning amongst me in the program — strangers who I'm sure are now lifelong friends It's hard to imagine building such strong bonds within the short span of four weeks the greatest magic of the trip came from how close we all were as a group: one of my fondest memories of the program is the mass-exchange of hugs and "Bon Voyages" that filled our last day in Aix It was clear that we'd all miss each other if there's anyone on the fence about whether they should take advantage of the many study-abroad opportunities at Princeton I can confidently say that my sojourn in the south of France was a once in a lifetime experience © 2025 The Trustees of Princeton University The Office of Admission resides within the Office of the Dean of the College. Diversity and Non-discrimination As part of a broader sister cities celebration highlighting the partnership between cities Aix-en-Provence and Coral Gables plan to renew their bond and continue their cooperation in the years to come the City of Coral Gables is continuing its celebration of French Month at a French Market on Feb which will be presented by the French American Association of Crafts and Trades The cultural tour de force culminates with a Cezanne Conference at the Coral Gables Museum on Feb chair of the Department of Art and Art History at the University of Miami The panel discussion will focus on the life and works of Paul Cezanne will provide a unique opportunity to gain insights into Cézanne’s enduring influence on the worldwide art scene “Coral Gables was founded 100 years ago with a vision of being an international city we proudly continue that legacy,” Mayor Vince Lago told Miami Today “The visit from the mayor of Aix-en-Provence and our French delegates is a testament to the enduring relationship between our two cities and the importance of cultural exchange.” The two cities have a long-standing sistership thanks to a partnership agreement signed in 1997 The visit of seven members of the delegation of Aix-en-Provence led by Mayor Sophie Joissains will cover culture and economy with a strong interest in innovation and research Aix-en-Provence has established a comprehensive Smart City system and hosts numerous research centers most notably at the Technopole de l’Arbois The tech hub is recognized for its innovation core and its scientific excellence The French delegation will also meet with local economic organizations including representatives of Select Florida and the International Trade Consortium as well as members of the French American Chamber of Commerce in Miami the French Tech Miami community and the French Trade Advisors to get the pulse of the local economic trends learn more about the assets of South Florida and comprehend the common advantages shared by both cities “Our sister city relationship with Aix-en-Provence has strengthened our global ties “This visit is not just a celebration of history but a reaffirmation of our commitment to international collaboration which enriches the lives of our residents and strengthens the spirit of Coral Gables.” This website is using a security service to protect itself from online attacks The action you just performed triggered the security solution There are several actions that could trigger this block including submitting a certain word or phrase You can email the site owner to let them know you were blocked Please include what you were doing when this page came up and the Cloudflare Ray ID found at the bottom of this page You don't have permission to access the page you requested What is this page?The website you are visiting is protected.For security reasons this page cannot be displayed British triathlete Nikki Bartlett has targeted IRONMAN 70.3 Aix-en-Provence for her 2025 seasonal debut – a race where she secured her first professional podium in 2016 Bartlett boasts five middle-distance victories in her career in addition to a further 15 podiums and put in a string of excellent performances in 2024 and will be eager to add to that tally during the 2025 season Posting on her Facebook page, Nikki – who hasn’t raced since the Taupo IRONMAN 70.3 World Championships in December – confirmed her plans to race on Sunday May 18 in France “I’m starting to get my confidence back slowly so I recon I’m going to give IRONMAN Aix 70.3 in 2.5 weeks a go… “I love racing and this race has been something to aim for during this time It holds special memories too as it was my first pro podium way back in 2016 In addition to her podium in 2016, Bartlett returned to the event in the Spring of 2019 where she earned second-place, completing an all-British podium with Emma Pallant-Browne and India Lee Follow the madness of the 'Race that eats its young' on RUN247 Every Monday on Global Comment we share Something Special you don’t want to miss To fit with the six core pillars of the magazine these will alternate between the themes of watch / listen / read / see / taste / place but it will always be about something worth seeing or a place worth visiting or a food worth tasting This week, take a moment to enjoy one of the many, many fountains in the beautiful Aix-en-Provence in the south of France, this one in Place d’Albertas, via Le Visible Est Invisible A post shared by Le Visible Est Invisible (@fp_invisible) If you have any suggestions for future items to feature, contact us on our socials or at editor@globalcomment.com Nasser Ali Khasawneh graduated in law from Oxford University, and hol... Natalia Antonova is a DC-based writer and editor Philippa Willitts is Editor in Chief of Global Comment. She is a British ... Mohamad Roshan is a journalist living in Iran Nikola Mikovic is a Serbian freelance journalist whose work has .. Carolina is a journalist and a university professor Senior Film Writer Mark Farnsworth teaches Film in East London an.. Global Comment is independently owned and operated and could use your help We consistently bring you perspectives from around the world that you don't get anywhere else and we want to be able to continue supporting the work of the excellent writers you see here Don't miss our latest interviews with sharp readers and thinkers on issues that matter to you Subscribe on iTunes Subscribe on Soundcloud She has more than a decade working for both print and audiovisual media Her main goal as a Venezuelan journalist is to tell interesting and inspiring stories Philippa Willitts is Editor in Chief of Global Comment. She is a British freelance writer who specialises in writing about disability She also enjoys covering politics and LGBTQI-related topics She can be found on Twitter and Instagram @PhilippaWrites Nikola Mikovic is a Serbian freelance journalist whose work has been published around the world and political developments in the Balkans.Previously Nikola was a reporter at the Politika daily newspaper the oldest such newspaper still in circulation in the Balkans Nasser Ali Khasawneh graduated in law from Oxford University and holds a Masters in Law (LL.M) degree from University College at the University of London Senior Film Writer Mark Farnsworth teaches Film in East London and is currently working on two screenplays, The Mysteries and Fair Access. He also writes the Oh/Cult section for Brokenshark.co.uk Facebook X (formerly Twitter) Instagram TikTok Please consider a one-time donation in any amount you choose You'll get special content straight to your inbox that no one else gets to see: outtakes from interviews We appreciate all the help and support from the readers who have kept us going since 2001 After stops in Paris and Cannes last year, the WSOP Circuit is heading to a brand-new destination in 2025: Aix-en-Provence the Pasino GRAND Partouche will host the first-ever WSOPC Aix-en-Provence Twelve championship rings are up for grabs including a €1,000 Main Event with a massive €1,000,000 guarantee Aix-en-Provence offers more than just poker the city provides a relaxed setting for players looking to explore between tournaments The festival kicks off with the €250 Podium Texapoker event on April 10 leading into the €250 No-Limit Hold’em flights over the next few days The €250 online tournament on Winamax also offers players the chance of a big score High-stakes players will have a €2,000 High Roller on April 16 and a €3,000 Super High Roller on April 21 The €550 Mystery Bounty events from April 13 to 15 add another dynamic element is a lower buy-in option with a WSOP ring on the line “The Pasino GRAND in Aix-en-Provence is the ideal venue for this international festival and it is only natural that the WSOP franchise should partner with this flagship of the Partouche Group,” said Apo Chantzis “We're honored by the renewed confidence of the WSOP to develop the WSOP Circuit brand in France and Europe.” Please enable JS and disable any ad blocker WHRO FM 90.3 brings you an extraordinary interpretation of Jean-Philippe Rameau’s lost opera “Samson” In a groundbreaking production at the Festival d’Aix-en-Provence conductor Raphaël Pichon and director Claus Guth breathed new life into this Baroque masterpiece creating a pastiche that intertwines fragments of Rameau’s music with Voltaire’s original libretto The result is a fascinating and coherent reimagining of the Biblical tale brought to vivid life by the Pygmalion Ensemble This innovative revival presents Samson as a suicide bomber a radical interpretation of the biblical hero grappling with the loss of her son while she is remembering his life Jarrett Ott in the title role of Samson delivers a powerful performance capturing both the character’s inner turmoil and explosive violence her crystalline voice cutting through the drama especially during the opera’s most intense moments Lea Desandre offers a moving portrayal of Timna and Nahuel di Piero embodies the Philistine leader Achisch This bold and inventive production, while not a strict reconstruction of the original opera, captures the essence of the lost work and delivers a stirring modern-day interpretation of Rameau’s timeless music. Tune in to WHRO FM 90.3, or listen online to experience this extraordinary revival of Samson for yourself With just a few weeks to go before the end of his career the Frenchman is facing a slight setback in his preparation Launched into the final stretch of his career, in the final few hundred meters, Richard Gasquet stumbled But not enough to make him fall before the finish line In the midst of preparing for his farewell, planned for Roland-Garros had to withdraw from the Aix-en-Provence Challenger which will take place from April 29 to May 4 The Béziers native injured his calf. But “nothing serious,” reassured Julien Cassaigne, his coach-agent, contacted by L’Equipe . “He will resume training in Bordeaux.” for which the nicknamed “Richie” has received an wildcard will take place from May 13 to 18 and will be the penultimate stage of his adventure as a professional tennis player Before this setback, the Tricolore, who set himself the objective of finishing with honors at “Roland”, had been convincing in Monte-Carlo by beating Matteo Arnaldi – who beat Novak Djokovic in Madrid and qualified for the last 16 – before showing good resistance against Daniel Altmaier. If a career is managed like a marathon and not a sprint, Richard Gasquet, who started on the main circuit in 2002, ran an ultra-trail. Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked * Website#c5036683ef84f789ea90f1ae{display:none} You don't have permission to access the page you requested. What is this page?The website you are visiting is protected.For security reasons this page cannot be displayed. and you are sure to walk away loving him just as much Be sure to check out the Painter’s Park as well Sebastián Brito / Unsplash Aix-en-Provence Tours Visit Fondation Vasarely and you won’t believe your eyes; really the museum features a number art works that are actually optical illusions attend a weekend tour and learn all about the large pieces some of which are displayed on the museum lawn The works are made of a variety of materials Fondation Vasarely offers workshops for adults so take the time to stop by and see what’s new Aix en Provence’s Muséum d’Histoire Naturelle knows how to make learning fun for the whole family While art museums are filled with a bunch of people silently appreciating art the city’s natural history museum is much louder Discover the darkest secrets of the deep blue sea before taking off into space and learning about the sun This is an especially fantastic outing for families and kids be sure to take note of recent current construction that has caused a few museum closures Established within an eighteenth century mansion, Hôtel Gallifet opened in 2010 as a contemporary art center both permanent and ones that rotate a few times each year the museum itself is quite the sight to see being a historic architectural beauty with a lush garden or perhaps in the elegant tearoom situated within the museum walls Be sure to look out for exciting cultural events hosted by the museum Sign up to our newsletter to save up to $800 on our unique trips See privacy policy About the author Shyla Watson Shyla has just graduated Lafayette College Even though she went to school in Pennsylvania so writing and reading are kind of her thing Her dog Precious is Shyla's pride and joy and you can often find the two of them walking around in the California sun she traveled around Europe for the first time and the next place on her list is Brazil See & Do The Best European Cities to Visit in July Guides & Tips Beat the Crowds with these Alternative Summer Destinations See & Do 10 French Theme Parks You Should Be Visiting Instead of Disney See & Do The Best European Cities to Visit in Autumn Guides & Tips This Is Europe's Ultimate Road Trip Guides & Tips The Best European Cities to Visit in December See & Do The Best European Cities to Visit in October Guides & Tips Scenic Road Trips to Take From Biarritz See & Do The Best European Cities to Visit in September See & Do The Best European Cities to Visit in Summer Architecture A Brutalist Architecture Tour of Marseille Guides & Tips The Best European Cities to Visit in November US: +1 (678) 967 4965 | UK: +44 (0)1630 35000 tripssupport@theculturetrip.com © Copyright 2025 The Culture Trip Ltd Aix-en-Provence and the Pays Basque have been named as unmissable destinations in France in a new ranking by the New York Times (NYT) the US publication presents a ranking of 52 unmissable worldwide destinations for the year ahead It takes into account any forthcoming major events or changes in the area that would merit a trip In the ‘52 Places to Go in 2025’ list, Aix-en-Provence came in seventh place in the ranking, and the Pays Basque in 31st. Aix-en-Provence was celebrated for its cultural offerings, including the forthcoming reopening of painter Paul Cézanne’s family home in the city. The NYT highlighted that 2025 would be “the Year of Cézanne”, and said that “art fans can also visit the nearby Bibémus quarries, where the painter captured the Provençal landscapes and the Montagne Sainte-Victoire; and Cézanne’s freshly renovated Les Lauves studio, to see the last palette he used, and join a new tour that focuses on his final masterpieces”. The city’s Musée Granet is also set to host the largest collection of Cézanne’s work to date (from June 28 to October 12), in a showing that will include more than 100 oil paintings, watercolours and drawings. The Pays Basque was included as the newspaper said it is “one of the most interesting places to eat in France”, and highlighted the arrival of several top chefs to the region. These include Inaki Aizpitarte, and Grégory Marchand. Chef Aizpitarte has now moved back to the Pays Basque after 17 years at Le Chateaubriand in Paris, and is cooking at Le Petit Grill Basque in St Jean de Luz. View this post on Instagram A post shared by André Michel (@andre.michelmichel) Chef Marchand - who trained in Nantes, Paris, and London - is the owner of the ‘Frenchie’ line of restaurants and wine merchants across France and London. He was given the nickname ‘Frenchie’ by UK celebrity chef Jamie Oliver during his time at Mr Oliver’s training restaurant Fifteen Cornwall. In 2024, he opened a Frenchie site in Biarritz, at the five-star hotel Regina Experimental. Voir cette publication sur Instagram Une publication partagée par Gregory Marchand (@gregorymarchand) This is not the first time that French regions have appeared in the ranking other destinations to appear on the list include: due to events being held to celebrate the 250th anniversary of the birth of celebrated author Jane Austen and - thanks to an increase in the price of entry to the parks - its forthcoming efforts to improve conservation after its famous pyramids were inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage site in 2024 and its Guwahati airport set to quadruple its capacity in 2025 a famous pilgrimage site where the Buddha is said to have been born; and where a new international centre for Buddhist studies is this year due to open alongside the restoration of the ancient UNESCO-listed temple site the Ramagrama Stupa due to its peatland being “one of the world’s biggest carbon stores which makes it key to the fight against climate change” its diverse wildlife and “stunning landscape” due to several 2025 openings in the “latest cultural hotbed” of the UK capital including the new Sadler's Wells East theatre for contemporary dance and the V&A East Storehouse’s David Bowie centre due to its “sparking new international airport” making it more accessible than ever and a new market hall upgrade for the Sydney Fish Market due to its associations with the forthcoming third series of smash hit TV show White Lotus The full list can be seen on the New York Times website here (NYT login required) Eight pairs of tickets for this summer’s festival are available exclusively to Connexion subscribers Architects set out to modernise Le Grand Rex while respecting its original design With more than one million visitors last year the cemetery is one of the region’s most-visited D-Day sites Top Estonian player Mark Lajal has reached the main draw of the ATP Challenger 175 tournament in Aix-en-Provence France after defeating veteran French player Benoît Paire 6–0 The Estonian faced no break points; his first serve success rate was 87 percent and he won 76 percent of points on his first serve Paire's stats were 49 percent and 50 percent Lajal will face Arthur Rinderknech (ATP 76) Other notable players include three-time Grand Slam winner Stan Wawrinka (ATP 158) and big-serving American Reilly Opelka (ATP 103) Things didn't go as well for Estonian women's number one Elena Malõgina (WTA 478) who was defeated by Australian Taylah Preston (WTA 211) 6–2 6–3 in the first round of the W100-level ITF tournament in Wiesbaden She and partner Nastasja Schunk also lost in the doubles first round to fourth-seeded pair Veronika Erjavec (Slovenia) and Camilla Rosatello (Italy) Follow ERR News on Facebook and Twitter and never miss an update! 0)" class="article-poll-disclaimer" ng-bind="totalVotes + ' hääletajat'"> {{option.votes}} {{selectedLanguage.poll.votes}}/ Iga kasutaja võib hääletada {{poll.optionLimit}} vastusevariandi poolt Tennis - Retrouvez sur cette page les infos le suivi LIVE et les résultats du tournoi Challenger ATP 175 prévu à Aix en Provence du 28 avril au 4 mai.. Pierre-Hugues Herbert 🇫🇷 (Alt) 6-2 6-7(7) 6-1 le jeune Péruvien réussit une sacrée semaine contre le Russe Kotov qui a carrément menacé Moutet de mort le Tricolore a pourri son duel avec Opelka en parlant en ralant sans arrêt contre tout et rien face à un arbitre bien trop complaisant le géant Opelka lui a réglé son cas en deux manches mais ce Moutet avec son comportement pitoyable n'a absolument rien à faire sur un court de tennis. qui sauve deux balles de set en 1ere manche avant de sortir son adversaire de 20 ans qui jouait une wild card pour Roland Garros Ignacio Buse (Q) 🇵🇪 : 6/7 (4) 2/3 abandon même si il a bénéficié de l'abandon du géant US Stan Wawrinka (WC) 🇨🇭 vs. Borna Gojo (PR) 🇭🇷 : 6/4 6/4 Borna Coric 🇭🇷 vs. Ignacio Buse (Q) 🇵🇪 : 4/6 6/2 6/3 Stan Wawrinka (WC) 🇨🇭 vs Borna Coric 🇭🇷 : 7/6 (5) 3/6 6/7 (4) Les organisateurs du tournoi ne pouvaient pas rêver d'une plus belle finale entre un triple vainqueur de Grand Chelem et un vainqueur de Masters 1000 le Suisse et le Croate ont tout donné avec pour chacun de belles périodes La dernière manches sera encore plus intense avec un Coric qui va prendre le plus souvent l'échange à son compte mais Stan ne va jamais rien lâcher avant le jeu décisif C'est encore le Croate qui va faire la différence en premier en se montrant plus percutant assez logique vu la différence d'âge de 12 ans avant de conclure sur une faute en coup droit d'un Stan bien déçu Essential digital access to quality FT journalism on any device Complete digital access to quality FT journalism with expert analysis from industry leaders Complete digital access to quality analysis and expert insights complemented with our award-winning Weekend Print edition Terms & Conditions apply Discover all the plans currently available in your country See why over a million readers pay to read the Financial Times WHRO FM 90.3 invites listeners to journey into the emotional depths of Puccini’s “Madama Butterfly,” a masterwork filled with love We travel to the renowned 2024 Aix-en-Provence Festival in France for a powerful performance of this beloved opera “Madama Butterfly” tells the tragic story of Cio-Cio-san portrayed by the extraordinary Ermonela Jaho a young Japanese woman who marries American naval officer Pinkerton Cio-Cio-san’s faith in their union leads to devastating consequences when Pinkerton abandons her leaving her to face the harsh realities of cultural rejection and personal despair The production is enhanced by the talents of Mihoko Fujimura and Lionel Lhote with Daniele Rustioni conducting the orchestra of the Opéra de Lyon infused with delicate Japanese motifs and grand Italian passion highlights the emotional highs and lows of Cio-Cio-san’s journey The opera is a poignant exploration of East-West cultural clashes and the personal devastation wrought by blind love From the haunting “Un bel di vedremo” to the harrowing conclusion this production of “Madama Butterfly” at the Aix-en-Provence Festival brings new depth and intensity to Puccini’s masterpiece Tune in this Saturday at 1:00 p.m. on WHRO FM 90.3, or stream online, to experience one of opera’s most moving tragedies and commemorate with us the centenary of the composer’s death. 2025Photo: Courtesy of Hotel Capelongue; Benoit LineroSave this storySaveSave this storySaveAll products featured on Vogue are independently selected by our editors we may receive compensation from retailers and/or from purchases of products through these links There’s so much to love about Provence (and thereby the best hotels in Provence), a region in southeastern France, beguiling travelers and wedding parties as much for its glamorous riviera as for its bucolic countryside that’s characterized by its vast sweep of grassy vineyards and fragrant lavender fields punctuated by Provençal farmhouses Roman aqueducts and old chateaus dating back to the 16th century clusters of medieval villages drenched in warm sunlight sparkle from one distant hill to another So when you tire of the glamorous crowds in the French Riviera consider renting a vintage car with Provence Classics and booking a hotel in the countryside of Provence to artistic boltholes and bucolic farmhouses there’s no shortage of great hotels in the Provençal countryside Auberge La Coste is the more affordable counterpart to the luxurious Villa La Coste offering a relaxed yet stylish retreat within the same breathtaking estate it provides guests with a charming stay surrounded by vineyards and access to Château La Coste’s renowned winery and cultural offerings Auberge La Coste is perfect for travelers seeking a refined Provence experience without the splurge La Divine Comédie is an intimate boutique hotel and restaurant in the heart of Aix-en-Provence offering a unique take on French cuisine alongside stylish accommodations with dishes that balance tradition and innovation Known for its attention to detail and thoughtful approach to both flavor and presentation the restaurant provides a relaxed yet refined dining experience combining modern comforts with timeless style La Mirande is a luxurious yet inviting hotel located in the heart of Provence Housed in a beautifully restored 18th-century mansion the hotel features charming rooms that combine classic Provençal decor with contemporary amenities Guests can enjoy exquisite dining at the on-site restaurant where seasonal ingredients are used to create refined and stunning views of the surrounding landscape make La Mirande an ideal retreat for those seeking a peaceful escape while immersing themselves in the beauty and culture of Provence a luxury boutique hotel housed within a majestic 17th-century estate derives its name from the sleepy hilltop village in which it resides offering panoramic views of Mont Ventoux and the surrounding countryside guests can bask in the tranquility of the sun-drenched property from the pool featuring its own optimal views of the nearby vineyards and olive groves before pampering themselves at the Spa des Écuries The property’s two restaurants extend over two respective terraces in which bistro-style cuisine is served at La Table du Ventoux while refined gourmet offerings can be enjoyed at the slightly more elegant La Madeleine Photo: Courtesy of La Colombe d'OrSituated only 20-minutes from the seaside near the top of the road that leads to the medieval village of Saint-Paul-de-Vence and only a 10 minute walk to Fondation Maeght albeit beautifully discreet La Colombe d’Or Originally opened in 1920 as a café bar before it evolved into an inn Paul Roux would accept art from the village’s residing artists–Picasso Matisse and Chagall were among the lot–in exchange for a stay or a few meals the family-run La Colombe d’Or is helmed by Paul’s grandson where in addition to the famed Calder mobile that decorates the outdoor pool and terrace feature an impressive collection of museum-worthy works from many of the greats Photo: Courtesy of Château Saint-Martin & SpaMoving slightly inland from the Riviera a 30-minute drive will get you to the hilltops of Vence where the historic Château Saint-Martin & Spa unites the best of both worlds forming the intersection of where the sea meets the mountains breathtaking sea views are visible from nearly every terrace yet salty air is replaced with scents of thyme and lavender that waft from the estate’s fragrant gardens Château Saint-Martin & Spa seamlessly blends modern comforts and luxurious amenities–from capacious suites to decadent design with the timeless charms characteristic of its pastoral setting– from dining in one of the on-site restaurants under a shady olive grove to indulging in a spa treatment in the garden gazebo Photo: Richard HaughtonJust one hour from Marseille near Aix-en-Provence sits immersed in the 600-acre grounds of the Château La Coste wine estate and open-air art museum A gracefully-executed departure from the old-world farmhouse stays common in the region the sprawling modern estate has become a haven for contemporary art lovers the stark white walls within the 28 minimalist suites are offset by the colorful artwork that adorn them as well as the warm wood furniture that punctuates the spaces Sliding glass doors open to courtyards that overlook the endless vineyards guests have access to a multitude of sensational dining options such as a restaurant curated by renowned Argentine chef The TimesIt took me more than 30 years to go back to Aix-en-Provence the town near the Cote d’Azur where I spent a blissfully lazy year in my very late teens having ended up holidaying in a villa an hour outside it I realised that a trip was ridiculously overdue In the academic year of 1991-92 I was required to spend a year living in France as part of my degree mainly because I wondered whether this was some kind of trap Did I want to spend eight months of my young life cloistered away in the teaching assistant department of a university in a largely industrial city somewhere not especially prepossessing Somewhere intense and diligent and competent where I’d definitely evolve as a person and a French speaker A town with an average 300 days of sunshine a year Its buffeting by a wind so romantic it had a name (the Mistral) Polly Vernon in Parc Jourdan in the NinetiesSo did my mate Jules whose brother Simon had himself made this sensible choice a few years earlier Jules and I were supposed to fly out together but having said a teary goodbye to my boyfriend (how do you think that turned out?) upon rolling up at Gatwick airport check-in I was passed a note by staff saying only that Jules would not be coming and I should go ahead without her it would take me six weeks to find out that Jules’s appendix had burst the night before we were supposed to fly and that she was resilient and generally convinced that everything was probably fine collected what luggage I had and found a coach direct to Aix’s university faculty where I was rewarded with a key to a room in Cuques a 20-minute tramp away (or 35 minutes avec suitcase) observing that far from being overwhelmingly beautiful this bit of Aix was actually strikingly bleak with Cuques resembling a prison block built on a lonely urban promontory a young woman I knew vaguely from university and whom It would take Martha a month or so to tell me I’d been right in my presumptions that she hadn’t been at all impressed by me on earlier meetings but that by the time I’d arrived in Cuques she (having driven to Aix two weeks earlier with her boyfriend who’d flown home shortly afterwards) had been totally alone and miserably lonely even I had seemed like a brilliant option to her Aix-en-Provence with Mont Sainte-Victoire behindALAMYBy the time she revealed all this Martha and I were settled pretty irrevocably into a lifelong … well but to call ours a “friendship” doesn’t quite cut it Martha also explained that she’d been through a similar intellectual process to mine in selecting Aix for her year abroad Neither of us could fathom why any thinking person would reach any other conclusion Together we threw ourselves into what would turn out to be the laziest weeks we showed our faces at one small class at the university: French-to-English translation But having established that no one gave a monkey’s about our attending We’d wake (late) each morning in our respective nun’s cells and tool off together to the ground-floor vending machine from which we’d purchase a plastic-packaged pain au chocolat If the heating was on (which it mostly wasn’t — no need) • France travel guide Then our day would begin in earnest with a bracing game of backgammon followed by a saunter to the Parc Jourdan a unremarkably pretty bit of local greenery reading Agatha Christie novels translated into French At about 2.30pm we’d go to a nearby lunch truck that sold baguettes stuffed with either just plain frites (Martha’s order) The colourful streets make for perfect promenadingGETTY IMAGESAix is famously chichi and expensive; we were not chichi and were incredibly broke We’d spend a lot of time gazing at the menus of the cafés along Cours Mirabeau We would fantasise about being able to afford 49 whole francs for a blue cheese salad We allowed ourselves to visit the one decent clothes shop in town — Agnès b — once a fortnight where we’d try on (but could never afford to buy) the cotton cardigans for which it remains famous we’d stop off at a convenience store and stock up on rosé and fags (the only things that were cheaper in Aix than they were at home) and chocolate mousses We’d spend the early evening getting mildly sauced on rosé “pres drinks” as the young people now call ’em before heading back into town for a night in one of the cheaper cafés where my favourite waiter worked: a black-eyed high-cheekboned chappie who reminded me of the young actor Scott Baio • 13 of the best things to do in France Jules eventually turned up and adopted this lifestyle commendably well before leaving the following spring to complete the second half of her year abroad in Italy Martha turned to me (mid-Agatha Christie reading) and said: “I can’t remember the last time I cried.” suntanned and chubby on all the baguette frites totally and utterly spoilt for lives that would now involve far more in terms of work and stress and crying than either one of us fundamentally believed we deserved Some of the back streets of Aix-en-ProvenceGETTY IMAGESAs I say somehow it took Martha and me 30 years to go back to Aix having booked a holiday for a bunch of family and friends in a villa in Provence then the TGV to Avignon (not possible in the Nineties — there was no tunnel sous la Manche yet) driving for what should have been an hour and a half only Martha got obsessed by stopping for coffee in the perfect roadside café in the perfect hidden village but then the signposts started saying “Aix-en-Pce” more and more emphatically and we started getting more excited and emotional and goosebump-inclined than we cared to admit I bluetoothed MC Solaar’s Qui Sème le Vent Recolte le Tempo over the hire car’s speakers and discovered I still knew every word to the French rapper’s Caroline We saw plane trees like the ones that line the Cours Mirabeau We got a sudden view of the Mont Sainte-Victoire to which Cézanne dedicated a series of paintings We didn’t quite recognise the outskirts of town Snatches of street set one or the other of us off marvelling at my bare arms in a T-shirt in midwinter Martha remembered us getting flashed by an old dude We still knew exactly how to navigate towards Cuques so went there first parking up in the car park where Martha’s 2CV got broken into in the lonely weeks before I tipped up We’d half expected it to be demolished — it was not in the best state of repair 30 years ago — but no There was the lobby where we used to queue endlessly to call our respective boyfriends neither of whom made it to the end of the year (mine had the good grace to dump me a week before I came home I marvelled at how a place could be so ugly yet how incredibly happy I’d been living there • 11 of the best affordable hotels in France under £170 We got back in the hire car and headed for town The fountains and the cobblestones and so forth half an hour’s drive from its big raucous neighbour Marseilles — became fashionable among the French It’s a town to see and be seen in: the houses are elegant the people-watching is of the highest calibre The gothic and neo-gothic Cathédrale Saint-Sauveur d’Aix-en-ProvenceALAMYThere are none of which we bothered with back when we’d had all the time in the world to do it: a gothic and neo-gothic cathedral Cathédrale Saint-Sauveur d’Aix-en-Provence set in the medieval part of the town (had we even known there was a medieval part of the town?) There is a museum of the local delicacy calisson a diamond-shaped sweet made of crystallised fruit and almonds which Martha and I tried once because someone said we had to but then never again (calisson.com/fr/content/17-musee-du-calisson) a museum just outside the city that is dedicated to the work of the Sixties artist Victor Vasarely which Martha did actually make me go to in the Nineties and which either left me feeling like I had a hangover or worsened the hangover I already had — I can’t remember (fondationvasarely.org) Martha liked it but she has always been more highbrow than me There are phenomenal flea and food markets on Tuesdays the main point of Aix is people-watching on the Cours Mirabeau Thursdays and SaturdaysGETTY IMAGESThe locals seemed less snotty but maybe that was because it was peak tourist season so they’d temporarily resigned themselves to the gross indignities of the non-French they used to (no exaggeration) point and laugh at us because we wore leggings We walked past the boulangerie where Jules once said That’s why I have my hat — and my teeth.” Past the tourist tat booth that used to be a cobbler’s which Martha and I were in the habit of frequenting a couple of times a week minimum because it played English and American films in VO — version originale We used to get cross with French customers for laughing at what we considered to be “the wrong jokes” cool and accessible; it’s still considered a cultural institution and its repertoire is sweeping We also went to Martha’s favourite stationery store a vast cavern of Clairefontaine notebooks of various sizes at the top of the Cours Mirabeau (papeteriemichel.com) with half a mind to tracking down the Scott Baio-alike with chic cafés and people watchingALAMYInstead a joint serving Mediterranean street food on the Rue Bernadine where €14 will get you a kefta in pitta (titaaix.fr) a classic French business where steak lunch will set you back about €15 (lepetitbistrot-richelme.fr) Changed in some ways now there’s a Starbucks but you can’t mess with architecture like that: the gothic The Cinema Mazarin was showing a Wim Wenders film — not exactly the one we saw in 1992 Agnès b still had the cardigans and they were still out of our price range We finished up at the Café Le Grillon; Les Deux Garçons was closed for works but Its awnings are still dark green but the blue cheese salad had gone We ordered anything we wanted: burrata and tomato salad (from €8) and frites for me though the burger maisons (€19) looked spectacular as younger us always swore we would one day when we were old and rich (cafelegrillon.com) individually contemplating a map of France Because we were absolutely right.Polly Vernon was a guest of Eurostar, which has one-way fares to Lille from £39 (eurostar.com). SNCF has one-way fares from Lille to Avignon from £20 (sncf-connect.com) Stay at Hôtel Escaletto in Quartier Mazarin with its terracotta 17th and 18th-century buildings and the heart of Aix-en-Provence is right on your doorstep (the Cours Mirabeau is a five-minute walk away) light rooms accommodate between one and four guests although you may want to pay a bit more because they’re on the small side The rooms capture the essence of the sunny south — airy featuring wicker and light wood furnishings Grab a spritz from the bar to enjoy on the roof terrace where the sky and tiled rooftops compete for the most vivid shade of orange.Details Room-only doubles from £84 (hotel-escaletto.com) La Bulle du Lavandin is a 20-minute drive from AixSÉBASTIEN GENREWake up surrounded by lavender fields in a bubble tent at this glamping site at a lavender farm Your semi-transparent geodesic dome has an outdoor shower and after a night of stargazing from your bed a slap-up breakfast is delivered in a wicker hamper to your canvas door this one-tent camp is a 20-minute taxi ride from Aix-en-Provence although the owners of La Bulle du Lavandin harvest a little later so the bubble is floating in a sea of purple for as long as possible.Details B&B doubles from £125 (labulledulavandin.fr) so the building’s rooms can be extremely snug — it’s worth upgrading to a higher category for more space and the breakfast room is hung with chandeliers and gilded mirrors it’s ideal for visitors looking to cram in as many sights as possible Details Room-only doubles from £112 (lesquatredauphins.fr) Become a subscriber and along with unlimited digital access to The Times and The Sunday Times you can enjoy a collection of travel offers and competitions curated by our trusted travel partners Sign up for our Times Travel newsletter and follow us on Instagram and X The World Series of Poker International Circuit is headed to France for its first-ever stop in Aix-en-Provence with 12 rings and two €1,000,000 guarantees from April 10–22 The 13-day series at Pasino Grand Parotouche will feature buy-ins that range from €200 to €3,000 with two tournaments that guarantee €1 million — the €1,000 Main Event with four starting flights from April 17–19 and a €250 online ring event on April 13. A packed schedule of action starts on Thursday The €250 multi-flight ring event follows the next day with four starting days spread across Friday and Saturday The rest of the schedule offers a €550 Mystery Bounty with three flights on April 13–14 and a €200 Colossus with three flights from April 13–16. starting on April 17 with four starting flights — one each on Thursday and Friday before two on Saturday The lucky baggers will return on Sunday to play for a spot on the final table Monday Closing events include a €2,000 High Roller on April 16 along with a €550 Omaha and a €3,000 Super High Roller on April 21 The series closes with the €350 Bigstack on Tuesday Want all of the stories, photos, and results from every WSOP Circuit stop? Sign up for The Circuit newsletter and we'll drop it in your inbox. but you don’t have to be a student to enjoy your time there The provincial area is the perfect getaway from the bustling city – walk around peaceful gardens Read our list to discover the best things to do and see in Aix-en-Provence Famous 19th century post-impressionist painter Paul Cézanne lived and worked in Aix-en-Provence as he was native to the area The world-renowned artist has had pieces displayed in the most famous museums around the world The Atelier Cézanne is the studio in Aix where he created a majority of his works The room has more or less been left untouched so visitors can get a true idea of what his working life was like before he died It’s the perfect place for anyone who enjoys art but wants to see something more intimate than a museum This picturesque boulevard is perfect for an afternoon stroll or scenic evening out There’s also a small street market that takes place weekly which brings the community together in a quaint Visit in the evening for a lively atmosphere Established in a 17th century French mansion, this museum houses the history and traditions of Aix and more archaic objects that were once part of modern culture The house itself is an example of rich and beautiful aristocratic life – notice the painted entrance dome and grand staircase The museum is the epicenter of Aix culture so it’s a must see for anyone visiting or looking to learn more about the famous region Each room in this exquisite Aix hotel has recently been restored and now houses beautiful paintings and other lovely art pieces The museum sits between a courtyard and a garden both of which are just as much worth as a visit as the museum itself The exterior is designed in the classical French style and is fairly simple but the interior is decorated in the styles preferred by Louis XV There is a lot happening in this bustling city square and you can start your adventures at the town hall The magnificent building was erected in the 15th century and seats prominent government officials the facility is open for visitors to enjoy the property In the center of the square sits a fountain with a Roman column topped with a globe encased in golden laurel a building that was utilized by merchants and farmers for trading It has since been converted to a post office Featuring views of the mount Saint Victoire this lovely park was the inspiration for many of Paul Cézanne’s works many locals will set up at the park to paint or sketch the breathtaking landscape the park is also a choice location to take a walk on a sunny day or have a picnic in the afternoon This open-air market is the largest in Aix which is located in the Cours Mirabeau area three days a week pick up fresh fruits and vegetables for the week There is also a market to purchase fresh flowers and there’s always a bargain waiting around the corner Enjoy a nice outdoor activity that won’t break the bank This quirky museum displays massive pieces of eye-catching art by Victor Vasarely The impressive collection of modern and optical art sits in an unusual so there’s a good chance that you can get a personal tour of the premises from a foundation member it’s a little out of the way from the city center so be sure to plan other fun activities in the area as well Shyla has just graduated Lafayette College We use cookies to improve your experience on our site. 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