daria

Hi,

We are planning a 3 week trip to France in June with our twins who will be 11. It is our second family trip to Europe. We want to spend about 9-10 days in Provence, end the trip with a week in the Côte d'Azur (in Antibes - have been before), and are trying to decide where to spend the rest of our time (4-5 extra days). We also need help deciding on a base in Provence.

In Provence, we want to relax someplace with a pool and definitely want to visit the following: Nimes, Arles, Point du Gard, Aix, Avignon. We might also want to visit Marseille, St. Remy, Cassis. We are considering basing in Arles. We would rather not rent a car (my daughter gets very car sick), or if we do, would prefer day trips to be within a 30 minute drive. Longer train rides are ok - those don't make her sick.

What do you think of Arles as a base? We don't want to stay in a very big city at this point in the trip. We are thinking of staying there 6-7 nights, and then staying at a place outside L'Isle-sur-la-Sorgue that has a pool, room for kids to run around, and supposedly provides delicious dinners. This appeals beause my kids loved Venice, and this town is described as "the Venice of Provence," there are working water mills in the town, there is an antique toy museum, we can rent bikes (which this kids love), and a river runs through the town on which you can go canoeing.

Also, where would you spend the remaining 4-5 days? My husband and I were in Paris years ago, but the kids haven't been. I would like to go back, but bizarrely the kids say they aren't interested in Paris (they don't know much about it but did watch a couple of Rick Steves episodes about Paris). I was thinking of maybe the Loire Valley. We've never been. The kids enjoyed palaces their last time in Europe. But, I am wondering if we could base somehwere that would meet our requirements for not much driving.

The other thought I had is perhaps Lyon. We love food.

We would like to end in Antibes and fly out of Nice, so thoughts about which airport to fly into would be appreciated.

Thanks in advance for your help.

PalenQ

Arles to me is a really nice city with good train travel -just a few minutes to Avignon and buses from Arles or Avignon to many nearby places like Les Baux- Pont du Gard- St-Remy, etc.

Loire Valley. We've never been. The kids enjoyed palaces their last time in Europe. But, I am wondering if we could base somehwere that would meet our requirements for not much driving.>

Amboise would be nice- on the river and trains to several castles including Chenonceaux (with one change) and there is a large municipal swimming pool on an island smack opposite the chateau - there are sound-and-light shows in English at night in summer (June is still a bit before the big rush in Loire).

Paris would be neat in June too - my kid that age loved riding the metro - the double-decker RER trains out to Versailles (the tour may be boring to them but rent bikes to cycle thru the vast gardens or boats on huge water basin.

It would be exciting to go up the Eiffel Tower -take a boat ride on the Seine- and a little education in Louvre and some other museums would not hurt.

Nice would be neat too in June - still not overrun like in later summer - swimming is always great - Antibes would be a great smaller city base right next to fine sandy beaches (vs pebbles in Nice) and of course Cannes and its famous beaches -trains run all up and down the coast from Italy (go for a day -gelato and pizza!) to St Raphael- lots of options by train.

Right near Antibes are two things for kids that age and adults too - a permanent amusement park with rides and a large water park-take train to Biot and stroll across the street.

For lots of great train info check www.voyages-sncf.com (official site of French Railways - the SNCF- book early to get deep discounted tickets for longer TGV trips (like Paris airport to Avignon or Avignon TGV to Nice or the Loire via Paris. Some neat sites for general info - www.budgeteuropetravel.com; www.ricksteves.com and www.seat61.com. If traveling to several areas by train check the France Railpass where kids either go free or pay 1/2 price -not sure which.

dfourh

For something completely different, consider the Italian Riviera (I know the Italian Riviera is not France) - - it would be a real change of pace because it is so close to the Cote d'Azur, but SO different culturally.

You could stay in San Remo, which is a delightful aging resort, and really a feast for the eye; the old town is amazing, and though the beaches are postage-stamp sized they can be fun for kids (including big rocks you swim from). The alternative is to stay in an out-and-out beach resort like Alassio or Finale Ligure, but I do think San Remo has more to offer. There are some nice medieval centers to explore like Albenga and Imperia; Genoa could make for a big city daytrip. The weekly market in Ventimiglia would be fun, and taking the bus along the coast instead of the inland train is an eyeful too between the cities. They would get a flavor of a different culture, with its own delights.

Here is a photo series (landing in Nice, then taking the train to San Remo; back to Nice at the end): https://www.flickr.com/photos/dougla...57632061012447

daria

Thank you! My husband and I have been to Italy a number of times, including the Riviera, but we want this to be a France trip.

We've also been to Antibes, and Nice, and definitely want to stay in Antibes again, as I said, for a week. But, we are wondering what to do with the remainder of our time. Thanks for the suggestion about Amboise. I will look into that.

StCirq

I'm a big fan of Arles and think it would make a nice base. I probably wouldn't choose to stay a full week in Ile-sur-la-Sorgue, though. For one thing, IMO, the comparisons to Venice are feeble (I'm in Venice right now and have been to Ile-sur-la-Sorgue many times). There just isn't all that much to do, and it's small enough and popular enough that even in June it could well be teeming with visitors.

PalenQ

If staying in Ile-sur-Sorgue you better rent a car - as StCirq says not much in town and public transport to other places is limited - especially if your place is outside of town.

daria

Thank you! We were actually thinking of perhaps a week in Arles and then maybe 2 nights in Ile-sur-la-Sorgue (or 6 nights Arles, 3 in Iles). I do agree we will need a car, but was hoping we choose a base, like Arles where we could take the train sometimes too, instead of driving.

Any other ideas as to where to spend our remaining 3-4 days?

Thank you again.

StCirq

In June it could be difficult to find a 2-night rental anywhere in Provence, especially a popular place like Ile-sur-la-Sorgue, if that's what you are thinking of. Rentals are normally a week-long deal, Saturday to Saturday. And why can't you just make a daytrip from Arles to Ile-sur-la-Sorgue? I really can't see up and moving such a short distance. A day there is plenty.

Why not move to the Lubéron to someplace like Roussillon for a few days? Or just split your time up between the Les Alpilles area and the Côte d'Azur?

WoinParis

you can spend a few days in Lyon or Aix en Provence.

Or you can go to Burgundy, visit a few churches, castles, villages, wineries but again a car is needed. Roads are relatively flat there however.

In Antibes you do know you have a fantstic complex of parks - Marineland and ...
http://www.marineland.fr/en/park-map
there are some other parks like golf park and a farm - but 11 may be over.

And lastly tell your twins that if they don't contribute to the trip by at least giving one thing they want to see, they stay with the grand parents. It does the trick with ours ;-)

Christina

I"m not a big fan of Isle-sur-la-Sorgue either, and the Venice comparison is just some travel hype, I suppose, because it has a canal. 2 nights is better. If you told that to your kids and that's what they are expecting, I think you are in big trouble. There isn't any good place to stay with a train station other than the cities (Aix and Avignon). But since you are really outside Isle-sur-la-Sorgue, it may be okay and is central enough, sure, why not. Frankly, if I were staying in Arles a whole week, for a second place I'd choose some place farther away maybe, like Aix.

PalenQ

Frankly, if I were staying in Arles a whole week, for a second place I'd choose some place farther away maybe, like Aix.>

Yes but even then just a few days - more days in Antibes - tons of things to do for kids - beach is always popular= take a day trip to Italy -that will be a plus.

daria

Ok, thanks so much. This is helpful. The initiation of the idea to stay in Iles-sur-la-Sorgue came from a place we wanted to stay that sounded perfect for kids, and for our family. I thought we could stay only a few nights, but I'll have to check. Your comments are helpful though; we might just skip that. I am going read up on all of your suggestions! Thanks again.

PalenQ

Any other ideas as to where to spend our remaining 3-4 days?>

Paris at the start or end of your trip- kids are in no position to know if or not they will like Paris - sweeten deal maybe with a day trip to DisneyParis or ParcAsterix- the latter a more European-themed similar park.

daria

Thanks. I really agree. What do they know about Paris? Although, I refuse to do Disney while we are there. We live in California, so we can do that at home. I'm sure we can plan enough fun stuff for them in Paris. Who wouldn't enjoy going to the top of the Eiffel Tower and floating down the river in a boat? I'm sure there are other kid friendly things too!

mjs

I think that one of the issues you have is the limitation of car ride length. If you average 45 Km/hr thats probably about 20Km. This would require multiple "bases" and more time if you wanted to explore Provence. I think the Rick Steves Provence book has a handy map with distances and times between towns in Provence that might be handy for planning purposes. A car does open up the countryside. Avignon would probably be the best base in Provence if you really just wanted to just use trains. Agree that ILS is nothing like Venice. Paris would also be my choice for another location outside of Provence and the Cote D Azur.

grandmere

Whereas ISLS is nothing at all like Venice, it is a charming little town and makes a great base for exploring western Provence, especially the Luberon. I spent a week there this summer with my 13 year old granddaughter in a rented apartment. I just checked and see that the apartment we stayed in has a 3 day minimum, not a week. vrbo1332235a Wonderful location, right in the midst of all the activity yet quiet and secure.

dreamon

We visited Isle sur la Sorgue by bus from Avignon so whether you need a car would depend on where the accommodation that you're keen on is relative to town. We enjoyed the mid-week market.

I think Paris would be great and has so much to offer but if looking for somewhere else perhaps Vaison la Romaine? If you don't want to drive, there are (not very frequent) buses from Orange and possibly also from Avignon. Or perhaps Annecy, which is on the train line, from where you could visit Chamonix, Yvoire, Geneva and other places?

I know that many people like to have a car so they can visit lots of different towns and villages each day but I've found my kids are happiest when we take things more slowly or do things local to where we are staying. When younger, my kids loathed being 'trapped' in a car but were happy on trains, boats, and to a lesser extent, buses. I think minimising use of a car is smart.

PalenQ

Yes trains especially for American kids are a treat IME as long as not too long and boats of course always.

chamonix itself would be a good base for incredible Alpine experience -kids would love mountain trains and thrilling aerial gondolas and walking to glaciers.

fuzzbucket

Do you have the option to fly home from Paris?
If so, I'd take the train to Lyon, spend 2 to 3 days there - loads of stuff for kids, plus really great food (better than in Paris) - then finish up in Paris.
I'd look for a hotel with air-conditioning in Paris - you never know when you'll need it. Apartments do not have a/c. Probably the best place for kids this age would be near Metro Odeon - close to everything, many places within walking distance.

Make sure to visit this website - all you need to know about buying train tickets. You can also check the sncf website 90 days ahead of time to purchase cheap tickets.
http://www.seat61.com/France-trains.htm

PalenQ

and also try https://www.trainline.eu/

same prices as sncf but I think small add-on fee -sncf site is not always easy to use for some it seems.