Last summer, we drove down in our van to northern Spain and explored Aragon as a family. Our goal? Beautiful mountains for hiking and good food: Aragon offered us all that and even more! We were delighted by the varied landscapes, from mountains to plains, with pretty rivers. We even enhanced our family hiking experience with a canyoning outing! A first for the children! Great memories! I’m going to break down our 6-day road trip through Aragon, from the Pyrenees border down to Zaragoza, and share our 10 family hikes in Aragon!
Time of year: the 3rd week of July
Children’s ages: 13 and 15.
To keep it simple, among our 10 hikes there are 5 short and easy hikes and 5 moderate-to-challenging hikes, including one canyoning hike! So there’s something for every level! You can therefore imagine a less sporty version of our Aragon road trip by choosing the easy walks and easier variants. On top of the hiking programme, there’s plenty to enjoy between swims in rivers and waterfalls (the children loved it!) and visiting villages. Below, I’ve listed our hikes in chronological order of our 6-night road trip in Aragon.
Here are all the details of our 10 hikes in Aragon!
1 – The Hunter’s Trail hike (Ordesa y Monte Perdido National Park)
Sporty hike, medium difficulty – 20 km loop – 750 m elevation gain – 6 hrs with a picnic break (7 hrs advertised)
After a quick breakfast, we park at the large car park in Torla, where you have to take a bus to the start of the hikes (the bus runs every 15 minutes from 7am). It’s a bit frustrating to start a hike by taking a bus, but apparently, in high season, there isn’t enough parking at Ordesa (the start of the hikes). It’s also to avoid too much traffic on winding roads.
We start the Hunter’s Trail hike (senda de los cazadores) at 8.30am and walk anti-clockwise. That way, we begin with the hardest part: a steep climb that lasts 1 hour 30 minutes. There are very few hikers on this trail because most visitors choose the waterfalls hike (see the shorter version below).
After our big ascent, we reach Faja de Pelay, a balcony path, fairly narrow but easy, offering magnificent views of the mountains. We catch sight of the Breach of Roland, which we’d already seen in France on a hike at the Cirque de Gavarnie.
We’ve just spent a long mother-daughter weekend in Edinburgh. As I already knew the Scottish capital, I tried to put together a 3-day programme tailored to my young teenager’s tastes, with references to Harry Potter, history and fascinating anecdotes, art and shopping! In 3 days in Edinburgh, I was able to delight her around her interests while also showing her the city’s must-sees. In the end, at the grand age of 14, my girl loved this three-day weekend in Edinburgh. It really is an easy city break to manage for a solo mum, with guaranteed success with the kids! On the programme: Old Town, New Town, Dean Village and other lesser-known Edinburgh neighbourhoods. So, shall I take you along for the tour?
Edinburgh with my young teenager: visiting the Old Town
To visit the Old Town, allow between 1 and 2 days.
Victoria Street ❤
We started with this famous colourful, curved, cobbled street in the medieval centre of Edinburgh. It’s one of the prettiest in the city, in the Victorian style. What’s more, it is said to have inspired Diagon Alley for the Harry Potter films, so it was a good way to ease my girl in! Above the row of multicoloured houses is a balcony-terrace (Victoria Terrace), which we climbed up to for another view of the street. Several shops and cafés on Victoria Street are popular, including the Elephant House café, where J.K. Rowling began writing Harry Potter (it isn’t the original premises).
If you’re planning to visit Edinburgh with teenagers or children who are Harry Potter fans, I hope this little guide will help you plan your walk yourselves. By the way, perhaps you’re Harry Potter fans too? But just so you know, that’s not my case! This detail is important because it means I can assure you that setting off on the trail of Harry Potter in Edinburgh didn’t bother me in the slightest, because it lets you see the city’s must-sees! Even though I’m a kind mum, I wouldn’t have played along so much if that hadn’t been the case. For these 3 days in Edinburgh with my young teenager, I happily researched places, anecdotes and information linked to Harry Potter to enrich a walk we would have done anyway to visit the city. My girl loved discovering these places – she who has read the Harry Potter saga four times! And I was happy to make her happy!
Some of the places below are reminiscent of the Harry Potter books, others of the films, and others again are more linked to J.K. Rowling herself. So here are these 10 Harry Potter places we saw in Edinburgh!
Victoria Street or Diagon Alley?
Victoria Street is a very beautiful historic street that links George IV Bridge diagonally with Grassmarket. A diagonal, then, like… Diagon Alley.
Even if our imagination can’t help seeing a connection with Harry Potter, that doesn’t mean J.K. Rowling had Victoria Street in mind when writing her books. However, she lived in Edinburgh, and both the atmosphere and the architecture of the city may have inspired her indirectly. Between the small colourful façades and the cobblestones, Victoria Street really does call to mind the visual world of the film.
Bonus info: you can wander through the “fake Victoria Street”, the film set, if you visit the Harry Potter Studios.
Is it possible to visit Kew Gardens in half a day? Yes, we tested and approved it! Between the large glasshouses, the different gardens, the viewpoints and the “monuments” of Kew Gardens, it’s absolutely possible to enjoy a very lovely first visit in just a few hours, without feeling like you’re rushing. I’d say you need to allow 3 to 4 hours to discover London’s magnificent botanical garden, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
To do that, it’s best to focus on the key attractions at Kew Gardens. In this article, I’m suggesting a simple route to discover the most impressive spots in the gardens. The idea isn’t to tick everything off, but to see what makes Kew unique: its iconic glasshouses, elegant avenues, immersive spaces and landmark spots.
If you’re visiting London for only a few days, you probably won’t have more than half a day to dedicate to Kew Gardens. I’d even say that Kew Gardens will only be part of your London programme if this isn’t your first stay in London. I visited London many times before going to Kew Gardens, but this visit was enchanting – a green interlude, very different from central London. Since then, we’ve been back to Kew Gardens other times, as a family. In fact, we’ve just spent our Sunday afternoon there for the Orchid Festival, which I’ll tell you about further down.
Here are the main key attractions at Kew Gardens to see if you only have half a day.
Kew Gardens: our key attractions in half a day
The tropical glasshouse: Palm House
This is Kew Gardens’ best-known glasshouse. It’s a magnificent tropical glasshouse dating from the Victorian era. Inside, you’ll find huge palm trees and tropical plants, notably from Madagascar, as well as coffee plants, cacao trees, oil palms and rubber trees. Architecturally, the glasshouse has lovely Victorian spiral staircases, as well as a walkway that lets you admire the plants from above. Note: the Palm House will close for major works from 2027, for 5 years!
Lefkada is the latest Greek island we discovered as a family. It’s part of the Ionian Islands and is particularly easy to reach since you can get there by car via a bridge. Handy! This means you can easily combine a holiday in mainland Greece with a little beach break. As always with the Greek islands, the colour of the sea is superb – a turquoise blue that instantly makes you smile! Lefkada also has the advantage of being large enough to stay for a few days. Besides the beaches, the island offers mountainous landscapes and therefore some very pretty viewpoints all over the place. You can discover them by car or, like us, on a hike.
Let’s set off to discover Lefkada with the children!
Porto Katsiki beach: our favourite beach on Lefkada!
Lefkada as a family: the beaches
To put it simply, there are the beaches on the west coast, the most beautiful – real postcard scenery but potentially a bit choppy – and there are the beaches on the east coast: nice, less paradise-like, but with very calm water.
The west coast beaches:
Kathisma Beach: a beach located in the north-west of Lefkada, near Agios Nikitas where we were staying (see our addresses further down). It’s a very beautiful beach, not to be missed at sunset.
During the October half-term holidays, we visited the region of the Vikos Gorge, in northern Greece, in Epirus. We were keen to go hiking and to discover a part of Greece that is still relatively unknown. The Vikos Gorge turned out to be an excellent choice! With the autumn colours, it was particularly beautiful. We stayed there for two days. Three days would have been more relaxed. Below, I’ll explain how to do the main hike in the Vikos Gorge and also show you the other places not to be missed. Finally, I’ll tell you about the lovely village of Papingo, our base camp.
The Vikos Gorge, in the Zagori region of Greece, is one of the deepest canyons in Europe, with almost 1,000 m of depth over 27 km in length.
Age of our children/teenagers: 13 and 16.
Travel period: late October.
Our family hikes in the Vikos Gorge
The Vikos Gorge, from Vikos to Monodendri ❤
12 km – 5 hours of walking – elevation in this direction: -1080 m, +1380 m – moderate but physically demanding!
This is the hike not to be missed in the region! It’s a point-to-point hike. Generally, hikers plan to return to their starting point by taxi, but we organised things differently by forming two teams: Titpuce and I walked the entire trail from Vikos to Monodendri, while Papa Voyage and Ticoeur turned back before the big climb out of the canyon. They returned to Vikos (walking very fast!), picked up the car and met us in Monodendri (there is a 40-minute drive between the two villages).
As it’s a canyon, the hike profile consists of: a long descent, a lengthy walk along the canyon floor, and a steep climb back up. It’s possible to hike from Vikos to Monodendri or from Monodendri to Vikos. I wondered which option was best, but honestly, I think it doesn’t really matter! For us, Vikos was closer to the village of Papingo where we were staying.
In terms of elevation gain, it’s tough, so even though the hike isn’t technically difficult, you need to be fit: it’s long and strenuous, with over 1,000 m to descend and 1,000 m to climb back up. Note that on the ascent towards Monodendri, it’s sometimes so steep that ropes have been installed to hold on to and avoid slipping. I was worried about this section, but it turned out to be easy. Titpuce had no problems at all. However, for younger children, it could be a bit tricky and they might need help. If you do the hike in the opposite direction, this steep section with ropes may be more difficult on the descent than on the ascent.
Here is the account of our hike in the Vikos Gorge:
We leave Papingo after breakfast and stop at the small shop in the village of Aresti to pick up some supplies. We start the hike in Vikos at 10:15 am. No problem parking the car. The view over the canyon from the start of the hike is beautiful:
Then, the descent from Vikos is easy, not too steep. After half an hour, we reach the small monastery with a lovely turquoise-coloured stream (this adds 30 minutes and 1 km to the hike).
After this first photo stop, we continue descending into the canyon. Here is the canyon floor:
Most of the distance is covered along the canyon floor. Looking up at the sides, you really feel tiny!
For now, we are still all four together. As always, Ticoeur and Titpuce chat as they walk! I really like this section with the carved rock:
Still some beautiful views up towards the heights:
Towards the end of the flat section, Ticoeur and Papa Voyage turn back to return and get the car. They challenged themselves to do the return at a brisk pace along the flat section!
With Titpuce, we continue following the trail. The views of the section climbing back up towards Monodendri are stunning!
The path is steeper, with large rocks:
Allow a good hour of intense climbing to reach Monodendri.
On arriving in the village, there are quite a few tourists sitting on the terraces (mainly Greeks). We’re surprised because we only crossed paths with two hikers in almost five hours of walking! In fact, many visitors come to the Vikos Gorge to enjoy the beautiful landscapes and viewpoints that are accessible without hiking at all! For me, that’s one more reason to go for the adventure! A hike without the crowds! We sit down on a terrace to enjoy an orange cake while waiting for Papa Voyage and Ticoeur.
And if we had to do it again? I think it’s worth booking a taxi (to be arranged in your departure village by asking at a restaurant or accommodation). That way, you can all stay together for the entire hike. An out-and-back hike doesn’t seem like a great option to me, as it’s long and the entire flat section at the bottom of the gorge would feel repetitive. For a more creative option, without a taxi, I think you’d enjoy the best views by doing just the descents and ascents (from Vikos and from Monodendri), without walking the long flat section. Overall, you wouldn’t escape the elevation gain, but you’d save time and wouldn’t need a taxi: you’d park once in Vikos and once in Monodendri!
Vradeto Steps❤
5.2 km (out and back) – 2 hours
A real favourite hike! This old stone staircase, built in the 18th century, has a lot of charm with its narrow switchbacks set in an enchanting natural setting.
The staircase consists of 1,100 steps, built to link villages together. The hike involves climbing them and then descending. We were there just before sunset. It was beautiful and we were completely alone. We did this hike right after the Vikos Gorge hike! Yes, we’re crazy!
See the entire staircase and its switchbacks:
It was getting late, so we went for dinner after this beautiful hike. We found a very good restaurant on the drive back: Zeyxi restaurant in Elati. Then we hit the road again for Papingo (1 hour from the restaurant).
Other highlights in the Vikos Gorge:
The natural pools of Papingo:
Lovely walks following the river and its various pools. In summer, it’s possible to swim there! Perfect for relaxing after a hike!
The old Ottoman bridges:
Built entirely of stone, they are very beautiful. It’s easy to park near each bridge. We stopped at the two bridges we thought were the most impressive:
The Kokkoris Bridge:
The Kologeriko Bridge:
The Stone Forest
A short walk among these stone formations. It’s neither large nor unmissable, as you’ll find similar formations throughout the Vikos Gorge region. But it’s not far from Monodendri, so why not stop by – it’s on the way.
3 viewpoints over the Vikos Gorge
There are two viewpoints accessible by car, with just a short walk from the car park. We chose the Beloi viewpoint ❤. A stunning view! There is also the Oxya viewpoint, but it’s much further away (a one-hour detour by car).
View over the Vikos Gorge from the Beloi viewpoint
Then there is the Monodendri viewpoint: it’s reached after an easy 15-minute walk, as far as the Monastery of Paraskevi:
Which village should you choose to explore the Vikos Gorge?
Three villages for discovering the Vikos Gorge:
To discover the Vikos Gorge region, it’s important to choose where to stay. There are three possible villages:
Monodendri: this is the main village, the largest and the most visited. It’s located to the south of the Vikos Gorge and is the first one you’ll come across on your route. It has a good selection of cafés and restaurants (I highly recommend lunch at Froso’s Pies: excellent and good value!). It’s very convenient for starting the hike into the Vikos Gorge.
Monodendri
Aresti: the smallest of the three villages, located to the west of the gorge. Fewer accommodation and restaurant options.
Papingo: the prettiest and most picturesque. It’s located to the north of the Vikos Gorge, further away from civilisation. This is the one we chose, and we loved it! Our accommodation was great! Several restaurants in the village. The restaurant at the Astra Inn was good. Note that some restaurants were closed, as October is not high season.
Our family accommodation in Papingo:
We stayed at the Bed & Breakfast Avragonio, typical of the region, meaning lovely stone houses. All of Papingo is full of charm, and our B&B was no exception! On top of that, breakfast was gargantuan and very varied! We had a small duplex space, with the children sleeping on the sofa in the living room and us upstairs in a double bedroom. It was perfect, and we really enjoyed the outdoor areas because even at half-term, as long as we wrapped up warmly, we could have breakfast in the courtyard, with beautiful views of the surrounding mountains. We stayed for two days and two nights, but we packed in several hikes on the same day. For a more relaxed pace, plan for 3 days in the Vikos Gorge.
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From Papingo, we can see Mikro Papingo above: an idea for another short hike!
Metsovo
Whether you’re arriving in the Vikos Gorge region or leaving it, you’ll probably pass close to the charming village of Metsovo. Its architecture has real character, with all its mountain chalets. Locals like to come here for lunch at the weekend. We walked around the village and then sat on a terrace in the main square for a coffee at Xnapia Café (very good!), before buying spinach pies from the excellent Tampas Bakery.
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I’ll leave you with a few final photos of the region to immerse you in the atmosphere of this rugged landscape in northern Greece!
And you? Fancy discovering the Vikos Gorge and its surroundings? Do you know this part of Greece? You can, like us, combine the Vikos Gorge with a visit to the Meteora!
These will also tempt you if you like to go hiking on vacation:
During the October half-term, we visited Meteora as a family during our road trip through northern Greece. I was worried I might be disappointed because I had seen so many photos of this region with its famous perched monasteries! No disappointment at all! Quite the opposite! Once there, we were enchanted by the landscape. You feel as though you are wrapped in this scenery of cliffs and rocky pinnacles shaped by erosion. The natural setting and all the viewpoints from which you can admire the monasteries add to the experience. Visiting Meteora in October meant we avoided the summer crowds. We also had ideal weather, enjoying beautiful sunny autumn days. In the end, I was just as impressed by the geological formations as by the monasteries. The combination of the two is so original! Meteora is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site for its natural and cultural importance.
Age of the children: 13 for Titpuce and 16 for Ticoeur. Our two teens enjoyed our two days in Meteora.
Which monasteries should you visit in Meteora?
In total, there are still 6 monasteries that can be visited. In the Middle Ages, there were up to 24 monasteries. You can spot a few scattered ruins on the rocks.
So, one question I have been asked several times is: which monasteries should you visit? This question is relevant because visiting the interiors of all 6 monasteries would be repetitive, could bore your children and would end up representing quite a budget (see practical information). Also, as Titpuce put it, “it’s mainly the paths leading to the monasteries that are beautiful”!
Whether you are planning a trip to Sicily with children or teenagers, this 10-day itinerary in 3 stages should appeal to you! On the programme: Mount Etna, Agrigento, Ragusa and their surroundings. I know Sicily very well because it is my dad’s island. In 10 days travelling in Sicily, you have to make choices. For our stay at the end of August, I mainly wanted to limit the number of stops and choose a varied programme that would appeal to the children (Ticoeur, 15, and Titpuce, 13). If this is your first family trip to Sicily, this route gives you a varied overview of the island: volcano, ancient temples, natural beauty, the charm of Baroque towns and a few swims.
The last time we were in Sicily, the children were very little (5 and 7), so for them, this trip was almost like a first time. I therefore wanted to show them a sort of best-of Sicily, admittedly incomplete but nevertheless very representative. They really liked it (especially Etna!). I hope you and your children will too!
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How did we break down the stages for this trip to Sicily? 10 days, 9 nights with 3 nights in each of the 3 chosen areas. It’s a triangular itinerary, arriving in Catania (just south of the Etna):
Sicily as a family: Mount Etna and its surroundings
Off to Aix-en-Provence with the family! We have been several times to this lovely town in Provence, the town of Paul Cezanne, but also the town of my Pepe, who lives in a village nearby 🙂 It is a place that is particularly close to my heart. In any case, it is always a pleasure to return to Aix-en-Provence, ideal for a family city trip: a very beautiful destination, gentle and easy-going, with art, markets and the added charm of Provence. I recommend spending 2 days in Aix-en-Provence during a holiday in Provence, or at least one full day!
As we go back to Aix-en-Provence regularly, this article is a compilation of our different stays there. Here are our favourite visits in Aix and nearby.
Visiting the centre of Aix-en-Provence with kids:
The old town of Aix-en-Provence❤is very picturesque. Its narrow streets help keep things cool in summer. The pale yellow and ochre tones of the facades bring sunshine into the town, as if there were not already enough in the sky! The old town has a lot of charm and it is very pleasant to wander around on foot. There is a little hint of Italy in the air, don’t you think? As you stroll, you pass through squares that invite you to slow down, and past very beautiful fountains: Aix-en-Provence is nicknamed “the city of a thousand fountains”. In reality, there are more like a good hundred, but you know how generous people from the South can be with rhetorical flourishes!
Among the squares not to miss in Aix, I would mention Place des Cardeurs, with its lovely terraces for lunch or dinner in summer, Place d’Albertas (and its fountain), which is very charming, Place de l’Hotel de Ville with its beautiful building, Place des Augustins, and the small Place des Ormeaux. Finally, in the Mazarin district south of Cours Mirabeau, the prettiest square is probably Place des Quatre Dauphins, with the fountain of the same name.
Place des Cardeurs
Place d’Albertas
Place des Quatre-Dauphins
Aix-en-Provence Town Hall and its 16th-century Clock Tower
During this walk through the centre, you will come across Saint-Sauveur Cathedral, with its Gothic facade. It is worth going inside to admire three beautiful naves in three different styles: Romanesque, Gothic and Baroque. Also worth seeing: the 5th-century baptistery, with its octagonal shape. It was built on the site of the former Roman forum. The cloister is charming too.
Finally, Aix-en-Provence’s own “Champs-Elysees” is Cours Mirabeau, which runs along the edge of the old town and begins with the large Fontaine de la Rotonde:
The markets in Aix-en-Provence:
On Saturday morning, we made sure not to miss the different markets in the old town. My little girl loved the flower market (Place de l’Hotel de Ville – Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays) and of course she asked us to buy a huge bouquet for her great-grandfather!
Then we moved on to the fruit and vegetable market (Place Richelme – every day). All those stalls of local produce are a pleasure for the eyes. They make you want to buy everything and start cooking!
A visit to the Caumont Art Centre:
We visited this lovely museum located in Hotel de Caumont ❤. First of all, the building itself is a superb 18th-century mansion where you can discover period rooms. In addition, the art centre hosts two major art exhibitions each year. The whole place is not too large, so it works well for an artistic family visit.
2026 update: this year, there is the exhibition “The Collector’s Eye”, including works by Caillebotte, Manet and Renoir (until 22 March 2026). Then there will be a Toulouse-Lautrec exhibition from 24 April to 4 October 2026. See information on the Caumont Art Centre website. The garden, with its cafe and flowers, is very pleasant for a sunny break.
The Calisson Museum: perfect for children!
The visit to the Calisson Museum at the Roy Rene factory is interesting and free! Ticoeur and Titpuce enjoyed discovering everything about calissons. Upstairs, there is a small interactive exhibition. Guides give a few explanations about the history and ingredients of calissons. You can taste a mini calisson and, above all, do some shopping in the large boutique. These calissons are very good!
Pavillon Noir for dance fans:
We passed in front of the Pavillon Noir, home to the dance school of choreographer Preljocaj, of whom I am a big fan. I never miss any of his shows in Paris, but one day I would love to attend a rehearsal or a performance at the Pavillon Noir, his home base. During our visit, there was indeed a Preljocaj ballet in Aix. We bought tickets, but to make the most of summer, the performance was not held at the Pavillon Noir but at the very beautiful open-air Theatre de l’Archeveche.
Le Pavillon Noir
Theatre de l’Archeveche, Aix-en-Provence
Discovering the great painters of Aix-en-Provence:
If you like painting, and your children do too, then in Aix-en-Provence and the surrounding area you will be spoilt for choice! Choose one or two visits depending on the length of your stay:
Cezanne’s Studio: this is the best-known visit in Aix. The studio is located on a hill from where the artist could see Sainte-Victoire, which inspired him so much! It is normally open from early June to late October, but the 2026 dates have not yet been announced. Allow around 30 minutes for the visit. If you are fans of the painter, there is also the Cezanne trail through the town (follow the golden studs on the ground).
The Vasarely Foundation: in a very different style of painting, this museum displays the large geometric and colourful works of the artist Victor Vasarely.
Chateau La Coste: modern art installations among the vineyards north of Aix-en-Provence (see below, in the surrounding area)
Chateau de Vauvenargues, where Picasso lived: we had the chance to visit it a long time ago. Sadly, this chateau is no longer open to the public, but it is a wonderful memory for us and I hope it will reopen in the future!
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What to see around Aix-en-Provence?
Sainte-Victoire ❤:
Without the children, as a couple, we set off one morning just after 7 am to climb the superb Sainte-Victoire while it was still cool: we had missed hiking at a brisk pace!
Chateau La Coste ❤: a superb art visit among the vineyards
Thirty minutes from Aix-en-Provence, here is one of our favourite visits! Chateau La Coste is a beautiful vineyard that you visit not only for its wine, but above all for the many art sculptures dotted throughout the vines. We spent a good two hours there, walking from one sculpture to the next. The children enjoyed these works of art, which are huge and varied. A perfect family visit! The following photos were taken a few years later, during another family stay in Aix-en-Provence: the children had grown!
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Our good addresses in Aix-en-Provence:
Accommodation in Aix:
Just outside Aix-en-Provence, La Ferme guesthouse is one of our favourite addresses! A superb garden, pretty Provencal decor and breakfast. All this just a quarter of an hour from Aix by car. To visit the centre of Aix-en-Provence, everything can be done on foot, so leave your car in one of the large paid car parks (we often use the Rotonde car park).
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Restaurants in central Aix:
Le Maryse: quiches, savoury tarts and cakes.
Le Miollis: a relaxed terrace, a bistro menu and reasonable prices.
Le Ramus: a lovely brasserie with a terrace.
Where to buy calissons?
I love them and so do the children! I recommend the Calissoun stall at the market, or the Philippe Segond shop on Cours Mirabeau, or La Fabrique du Roy Rene (see above).
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After all that, in the evening, a little Ricard with my Pepe felt well deserved, didn’t it? Once again, it feels good to return to one’s roots, especially as my Pepe is approaching 100 years old, so he carries the memory of so many years I never knew. I particularly love it when he tells me about his youth, with the song of the cicadas as background music.
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And you? Have you visited Aix-en-Provence with your family?
We went back to visit Bristol. This time, in summer mode and just as a mother-daughter duo. Bristol is the city in England best known for street art. It is even called the “Capital of Street Art”. So I thought it was a good excuse to go back with my Titpuce, who is interested in art in general but knows less about this urban art form. Bristol is Banksy’s city. Bristol is also the city of Massive Attack and Portishead. For that, younger people are less likely to get the reference! Let’s just say Bristol is famous for its music groups.
We spent one day in Bristol, with the whole morning devoted to a guided walk to discover the street art. Then we went back to see a few of the city’s must-sees: the market, the monuments, a museum, the famous suspension bridge and, of course, the harbour and the banks of the River Avon. Come on! I’ll take you with us on this 20-kilometre walk through Bristol! A very intense day! I’ll warn you: Bristol is a favourite to discover as a family, especially if your children or teenagers are interested in street art.
Street art in Bristol
Street art is clearly part of Bristol’s DNA. Banksy has particularly contributed to the city’s reputation in this field, but street art was already very developed in Bristol before Banksy, and it inspired him. Today, there are actually few Banksy works in Bristol because they were simply removed, washed away, especially at a time when Banksy was not yet so well known. Now, the council tries to preserve what remains. A difficult position that raises the question of legality and the question of art in general.
To discover Bristol’s emblematic street art works, you can simply use the resources from the tourist office. As for the few Banksys, they are all marked on Google Maps. Mainly, you’ll wander around the centre, passing through Broad Street, Bell Lane and Nelson Street, to name just a few. Then you’ll head towards the Stokes Croft area. This is the Caribbean neighbourhood, more working-class, where Banksy lived.
Place des Cardeurs
Place d’Albertas
Aix-en-Provence Town Hall and its 16th-century Clock Tower
Le Pavillon Noir
