Villa Provence is often described by many regular guests as a relaxing retreat in the middle of a bustling city, and the word “oasis” is frequently used in these descriptions.
However, the metaphor of an oasis in the middle of a desert can be a bit misleading, since Aarhus certainly cannot be described as a lifeless desert, and a walk through the “City of Smiles” is definitely not a trek through the desert. Here you can read a bit about the experiences and quirks surrounding Villa Provence.
Photo credit: Frame & Work
Posthussmøgen is located just to the left as you step out of the gate at Villa Provence. Posthussmøgen is really just a shortcut up to Strøget, but it’s steeped in history about customs officials and smugglers from the 1600s. Posthussmøgen has recently been beautifully renovated and is illuminated by changing colors in the evening.
It might feel a bit underground when you walk into a backyard at Fredensgade 41 and open the door to a bike shed. But behind the unassuming facade lies an exclusive cocktail bar, where the experience isn’t just about enjoying the exotic drinks, but also about watching them being crafted and presented with showmanship. It’s a gourmet-level cocktail bar.
It’s just a 400-meter walk from Villa Provence if you turn right onto Fredensgade and then left onto Sønder Allé before you reach the lovely bathhouse with a swimming pool, sauna, and hot tub.
On the way up to Salling, you’ll pass a wine bar that has indoor petanque courts. It doesn’t get any more French than enjoying a glass of Burgundy and a friendly competition to see who can get their balls as close to the jack as possible.
Aarhus Cathedral is a must-see for history buffs and architecture enthusiasts, offering a glimpse into the city’s past and a sense of tranquility amid the bustling surroundings. The cathedral is located right next to Hotel Royal.
Dokk1 houses public services for residents of Aarhus and the city’s library. Dokk1 also features exhibitions and events year-round, offers an architectural experience, and the surrounding harbor area is definitely worth a stroll.
Den Gamle By in Aarhus is a unique time capsule that transports visitors back to the past. This open-air museum is filled with well-preserved historic buildings that recreate the life and atmosphere of various periods in Denmark’s history.
There are countless great places to eat all over Aarhus, at different price points and offering different experiences. You can simply take a walk down to the stream and check out the menus and the atmosphere for yourself to find the experience you prefer.
By the stream, you’ll find, among other places, Restaurant ET, where the name isn’t the Danish number “1,” but is pronounced like the French word for “and.” Restaurant ET is, at times, a simple French brasserie at its best. The name came about when they were describing the vision for their restaurant. Their concept isn’t just a restaurant, but a restaurant, a wine bar, and a shop.
Restaurant ET is run with great passion and professional pride by Lars Eiskjær and Morten Sandvad, who trained under French Chef Michaud at Ruths Hotel. Restaurant ET is designed to be a casual dining spot with a wonderful classic atmosphere—where Edith Piaf meets Danish craftsmanship.
Photo credit: Photopop
At the Aarhus Art Museum, you can experience international contemporary art, special exhibitions, and the famous colorful rainbow at the top.
Den Gamle By, located in downtown Aarhus, is the world’s first open-air museum and showcases the culture and history of Danish market towns.
At the Moesgaard Museum in Højbjerg, you can explore fascinating archaeological and ethnographic exhibits.
Musikhuset Aarhus is the largest concert hall in the Nordic region and hosts everything from concerts, dance, comedy, musicals, and opera to music.
On the outskirts of downtown, you’ll find Tivoli Friheden, where you can enjoy rides, concerts, and exciting events.
At Kunsthal Aarhus, you can experience fantastic contemporary art, with exhibitions featuring both international and Danish artists.
The beautiful Latin Quarter is known for its colorful, historic buildings, including the Juuls Building, which dates back to the 1700s.
At Store Tov in downtown Aarhus, you can visit the beautiful cathedral, which, with its 96-meter-tall tower, is one of the tallest in Denmark.
Photo credit: Frame & Work
Is this nickname because the people of Aarhus are quick to smile? Or is it because a visit to Aarhus is bound to bring a smile to anyone’s face?
Both seem to be true, but where does the phrase actually come from? There are various stories about the origin and history of this slogan: One explanation is that it originated at a board meeting of the Aarhus Tourist Association in 1938, where it was also used in brochures published in a print run of 50,000 copies.
Another explanation dates back to the early 1950s, when King Christian X gave a speech at Amalienborg and, among other things, asked, “Where has that lovely Danish smile gone?” This is said to have inspired the people of Aarhus to say that, at any rate, it still existed here.
A third explanation also dates back to the middle of the last century, to the time when there was a night ferry from Copenhagen to Aarhus. The captains of the ferries felt that Aarhus was smiling at them as they sailed into the bay every morning.
No matter what the explanation may be, Aarhus is full of delightful quirks that can bring a smile to anyone’s face.
Every spring, the country’s gourmet chefs make a pilgrimage to Riis Forest, 3 km north of Villa Provence. April and May are typically the best months for picking wild garlic, and Riis Forest is arguably the place in Denmark where wild garlic is most abundant. Wild garlic, Allium ursinum, is native to Southern Europe and Asia Minor, but it has spread to several areas in Denmark, where the lush forest floor and shade beneath the deciduous trees provide ideal conditions for this flavorful plant, also known as “forest garlic.”
But why is it specifically in Riis Forest that it is found in such abundance? It is speculated that this may be because Spaniards used the lush forest floor to plant wild garlic back in the 1800s. When Napoleon declared war on Sweden in 1814, Denmark, as France’s ally, had to accommodate 14,000 Spanish soldiers. A regiment of 18,000 Spaniards lived for a number of years in the very area of Aarhus where both the institution and the street bear the name Spain.
Photo credit: Photopop
All year round, you can enjoy exciting events and attractions in Aarhus.
Below, you can explore the many options.
Hotel Villa Provence
Fredens Torv 12
DK 8000 Aarhus C