Vivre Côté Sud is June 3 to 6 in Aix

The 18th edition of the popular design fair called Vivre Côté Sud takes place June 3 to 6 in the Parc Jourdan in Aix. As in years past, the exhibitors (250 or so of them) will be organized by theme, the cumulative effect being a delicious, over-the-top paradise of beauty, creativity, craft and taste. To see all the themes, click here. It's like Disneyland for Design Lovers!

The event is organized and hosted by the magazine Maisons Côté Sud, widely known and loved for its focus on celebrating the Mediterranean style and lifestyle.  (The magazine's tenets: "a search for beauty, a respect for talent, a desire for authenticity.")  Vivre Côté Sud, the organizers say, brings the pages of the magazine to life offering thousands of products and ideas for the home, garden, kitchen and more.

This year's overall theme is "nature" and everything that nature's beauty and diversity inspires. You'll see it expressed in gardens, materials, eco-design, on fabrics, wallpapers, carpets...in paint tones, furniture, ceramics and much more. The design of the Parc's lounge was this year been entrusted to Fanny Piriou Desvignes while other talented designers, landscape designers and stylists oversaw the creation and decor of other.

For professionals such as architects and interior designers, there's a special area called Côté Sud Projets. Every day there will be an informal conference (for pros and consumers) on trends in residential and hotel design.

This year the show will be open two evenings, with dinner available on Friday night.

As in years past, attendees can sign up for coaching sessions in decor and garden design. Sign up in advance and be sure to bring your plans, photos or videos. 

Everyone who signs up for deco coaching takes home a shopping list along with recommendations for colors, materials, furniture and accessories. One-hour appointments are 89€. (For info or to book: info@vivrecotesud.fr or +33 1 75 55 43 66.)

Garden coaching will once again be offered by Thomas Gentilini and his team, with their particular expertise in the vegetables and plants of the Mediterranean. They're happy to help with any project, including maintenance, renovation, garden creation, pools, pergolas, terraces, etc.  One-hour garden coaching appointments are 59€. (For info or to book: contact@thomasgentilini.com or +33 4 42 02 56 86.) 

The cooking demos at Vivre Côté Sud are always a big draw. Among the top local chefs participating this year are Marc de Passorio (L'Esprit de la Violette, Aix),  Jany Gleize (La Bonne Etape, Château-Arnoux), Ronan Kernen (Côté Cour, Aix), Edouard Loubet (Bastide de Capelongue, Bonnieux), Alexandre Mazzia (AM Restaurant, Marseille), Mickaël Féval (Restaurant Mickaël Féval, Aix), Lionel Lévy  (Intercontinental Hôtel-Dieu, Marseille), Guillaume Sourrieu (L'Epuisette, Marseille), Nadia Sammut (Auberge La Fenière, Lourmarin), Ludovic Turac (A Table au Sud, Marseille) and Glenn Viel (Oustau de Baumanière, Les Baux). See the website for the schedule, the dishes and more.

Vivre Côté Sud is at the Parc Jourdan in Aix, Friday June 3 through Monday June 6th. The show opens at 10 am daily and closes at 11 pm Fri, 9 pm Sat, 8 pm Sun and 6 pm Mon. Tickets are 10€ (full price) and 7€ (reduced). The website in French with decent English translation is: vivrecotesud.fr

Photos: A taste of Vivre Côté Sud over the years...and some of what's to come.