Never mind April in Paris. Autumn in Provence is perfect

BREAK OUT THE BLUE CHEESE

AIX-EN-PROVENCE, FRANCE — Never mind April in Paris. How about autumn in Provence? Fewer crowds, the weather is glorious, the wine grape harvest is in full swing and the openair markets are brimming with local produce and herbs — including the lavender that bloomed all summer and is now freshly dried and ready to take home.

Tractors pulling trailers piled with grapes creep from vineyard to winery, where you can watch the crushing begin as the first step in transforming grapes to rose wines.

You can get there on the high-speed TGV train from Paris, a three-and-a-half-hour trip to Aix-en-Provence.