Judyrem

Hello All, long time no see, yes? I had a personal crisis of major impact. But we have endured and are starting to travel again. So we are cashing our FF miles on Delta next Sept. and we are flying into Marseille. Want to tour Provence as thoroughly as possible. We have been to the Cote D'Azur. I have quite a few guidebooks Let's Go, Frommers, Time out. I will get the Michelin Green guide at Borders this week. We will be driving and would like to base ourselves in a few central cities/towns and do day trips to other sites. Arles, Aix, St Remy? I am so confused and need some input from Fodorites. Thanks so much, Judy

StuDudley

I would start in Aix and spend a few days there - just make sure those days are not Sundays or Mondays. Aix won't take more than a half-day to explore, but from there you can hit the coast around Cassis. Then drive up north a little and visit some of the less touristy small villages south of the Luberon Mtns - Ansouis, Cadenet, Cucuron, Pertuis). Perhaps stay for a couple of days in Lourmarin.

From Lourmarin, head north through the Comb de Lourmarin and spend some time (at least 4 days) in the Luberon Valley. Perhaps stay at Kevin's B&B. http://masperreal.com/index.html
Visit the many small villages and also the Sunday market in l'Isle sur la Sorgue. Head towards Sault for a full day & explore that region.

After the Luberon, spend some time in the Dentelles - near Vaison. It may be grape hargesting time when you are there, so you will see lots of small trucks carring the grapes to the wineries. Take a winery tour at Beaucastel. Explore the Mt Ventoux area and also the region around Grignan.

After the Dentelles, stay near St Remy for several days. Visit the sites in the Alpilles (ST Remy area), and also those in the Uzes/Pont du Gard. Visit Arles & Avignon.

If you want to add another area to explore, stay up close to Uzes and visit the Gorge de L'Ardeche and the stalactite/mite caves at Aven d'Orgnac.

I have a 20+ page itinerary that I've sent to hundreds of people on this travel board. It explains the itinerary I just described in more detail. E-mail me at [email protected] if you want a copy.

Stu Dudley

Underhill

How many days will you have in Provence?

StuDudley

Underhill

Re-read the title of this post.

Stu Dudley

Underhill

Gee, thanks, Stu--missed that. But I'd still like to know whether that means 14 days and nights or some travel time.

Judyrem

Thanks Stu,,for the great info. I will email you at AOL. And Underhill, we will be arriving around 2:30pm Sept 13 leaving from Marseille on the 27th around 10:30am. We are thinking about staying one night in Cassis or maybe Marseille before our flight. I love Roman ruins and would like to highlight the major ones. I would love to be around for the harvest...always wanted to do that, and we love wineries too. Any accommodations besides Kevin's that you all like?

Underhill

So...13 actual days of sightseeing or whatever. The Michelin Green Guide will give you the best information on what can be seen in that length of time, which is enviable.

You could start by basing yourselves near St-Rémy for five days, from which you can visit any number of places easily: Arles, the Pont du Gard, Les Baux and the Aliplles, the Camargue. Then move to the Lubéron for five days and include a drive over to the delightful Moustiers-Ste-Marie. Finish up by staying somewhere near Aix (we like a hotel located on the hill just above the city, the Mas d'Entremont) for the balance of the time. From Aix you can go south to Cassis and perhaps east to Le Lavandou/Bormes-les-Mimosas.

elsiejune

You might want to take a look at the website: www.provencebyways.com. It's run by an American couple who live part of the year in Loumarin. They sell a very informative guidebook with many insider tips, trips and maps. We used it in conjunction with the Michelin Green Guide for a wonderful trip in May 2003. Planning is half the fun, isn't it? Enjoy!

Judyrem

Thanks so much for input Underhill and elsiejune...sny gave hotels or B&Bs?

nonnafelice

We had a wonderful stay at Le Clos du Buis in Bonnieux a couple of years ago:
http://www.luberon-news.com/le-clos-du-buis/index2.html

Bonnieux is a beautiful little town and an excellent base for visiting the Luberon.

I second the recommendation of the provencebyways guidebook. That was a great resource for us on our trip.

cigalechanta

I like The Mas Du Pastre in Eygalieres, La Regalido in Fontveille,
L'Hotel, Atelier des Images, in St Remy,
Mas de Gres in Ilse Sur-la-sorgue,
Le Calendal and Nord Pinus in Arles,
and so many more where we have enjoyed ourselves through the years.