A Day out from Aix en Provence( with an Irish influence!!)

We were amazed to find that the Chateau La Coste in La Puy St Reparade, about 15 to 20 mins north west of Aix had been bought some years ago by an Irish man and was now open to the public since May/June 2011 and is a very Hip place to go in the area!

Its an amazing find!  He wanted to have a special place where Art and Architecture could come together and so invited many of the best names in the WORLD to come there, explore the beauty of the landscape, choose a spot and come up with a creation!

Now it means that one can go for a 1 hour to 2 hour hike(depends on how many stops you make to take photos/admire the view etc!!)

 and view art/sculptures by well known names!

It is owned by Patrick(Paddy) McKillen, friend of Bono, part owner of The Clarence, Dublin and Claridges, London and he bought it, apparently, because his sister lives in Aix!!
There are plans to build a 28 room hotel.... but that is in the future! Now it has the hike, the cafe overlooking water and the possibility of hearing a concert in Frank Gehry's music pavillion.

As the place only opened to the public this past summer they have only as yet had one concert. However they do plan on having others in the future.......U2 perhaps!??!! Definitely worth keeping an eye on!

And the lunch there was great! Food and location!

Its beginning to be written about.  The New York Times had an article about it in September.