What a lovely story, Kris. Your immersion into French language and culture sounds a lot more nourishing (literally) and enjoyable than the one I had in Montpellier, France.https://medium.com/crows-feet/the-oldest-person-in-the-world-54b653307521

I've visited Aix many times in the nearly ten years I've lived in France, it's still beautiful and interesting, but I imagine it's quite different in many ways from your experience in the 1970's. Thanks so much for a great read.