gailden

My wife and I are going to provence oct 29-nov 6. (leave paris that day for home)Would love advice on the itenary- where to stay- for how long- especially love photography, great cuisine- small intimate bed and breakfasts- should i drive or take trains?

cigalechanta

You will need a small car to visit the beautiful little vllages. Photo picks abound. Fodor's puts out a beatiful small book with delightful pictures and will guide you to the basics.
"Escape to Provence,"photos by Owen Franken, text by Nancy Coons.
A favorite sight of mine is by two great photographers.(they are doctors)
www.2docstock.com/provence

cigalechanta

Once you decide what area you want to stay, your search for a B&B can begin.
http://www.avignon-et-provence.com/c...s_provence.htm

luvparee

I will be in Provence next summer for 8 nights also and we are staying in a B & B in Perne les Fontaines. It's pretty much mid-point for Luberon and Vaucluse sightseeing. What I did was find out the towns that I knew we would want to see and when their markets were. I then tried to do an area where the markets were and other close by villages for each day. We may be "marketed" out, but that was my way. There is a book "Markets of Provence" written by Dixon Long that has a schedule of lots of markets. Also, you could "google" Markets of Provence and would come up with lots of information.

Here is a copy of our itinerary as it stands now (I'm a travel planning addict!):

*************
Friday: Markets at Bonnieux and Lourmarin, then onto Ansouis, Oppede, Menerbes, Lacoste.

Saturday: Markets at Pernes les Fontaines and Apt and onto Roussillon, Joucas, Gordes and Abbye de Senaque (for the lavender!!)

Sunday: I'lle sur la Sorgue!!!!!!!!!!! - After market? Hang out at pool at B & B? - Dinner with market stuff?

Monday: Avignon (covered market at Les Halles) - (stores in lots of other towns closed?)

Tuesday: Market at Vaison la Romaine and Beaumes de Venise (and vineyard there), Seguret, Chateauneuf du Pape and vineyards. Orange?

Wednesday: Market at St. Remy - Arles?

Thursday: Aix en Provence and maybe Cassis? Markets in Aix: Palais de Justice; flowers by St. Madeline Church; clothing market: "other" side of Cours Mirabeau
Main Market - Mon, Tue, Thur, Sat. The main market by the Palais de Justice is a big affair of fresh produce and food, bric-à-brac and flea-market. The flower market is on the Place de Verdun and Place des Prêcheurs, by the Ste-Madeleine church. The clothing market that used to be around the old prison is now along the "other side" of the Cours Mirabeau. The old prison, smack in the center of town, was rebuilt as an administrative building [1996-97].
Food Market. A daily market with food and fresh produce is held in the Place Richelme, between the post office and the old grain market.
Flower Market. During the three market days, a colorful flower market is held at the Place de l'Hotel de Ville.
Friday - Travel to Paris

Have read that Carpentras market as big as I'lle sur la Sorgue?
***********

If you don't do any other markets, do plan to be at the market in I'lle sur la Sorgue on Sunday morning (by 8:30-9:00 P.M.) or parking will be very difficult. The town is very lovely with lots of water. It's called the Venice of France. Very charming and fun!

Enjoy your planning and your trip!

Joy

tower

Couple of little tips....when in Bonnieux-La Coste area, be sure to drive the fairly short, very scenic distance to Fort Buoux and the little village closeby (Buoux). It is this unlikely spot where Peter Mayle recommends the Auberge du Loube..and Maurice, the owner, will greet you heartily...great eating experience in this remote place.(No credit cards , so bring cash)

Secondly, while in Aix, be sure to visit Paul Cezanne's Atelier..lovely grounds and window views of the opft-painted Mount Victoire in the distance.

In Carpentras, besides the market, visit the 14th century synagogue..ring bell and someone will escort you through it.

Don't miss Les Baux while in St. Remy..about a half hour drive. Dramatic views.Stu

StuDudley

I think you are going to get real tired of all the markets. Only do 1 per day at most. The ones in Carpentras, Apt, and l'Isle sur la Sorgue are huge, and they will consume a lot of time. On market day, parking is very difficult. I've been to well over 50 markets in various regions in France.

>>Friday: Markets at Bonnieux and Lourmarin, then onto Ansouis, Oppede, Menerbes, Lacoste.<<

The market in Carpentras is one of the best.

>>Saturday: Markets at Pernes les Fontaines and Apt and onto Roussillon, Joucas, Gordes and Abbye de Senaque (for the lavender!!)<<

Parking in Apt is very difficult. Get there early.

Visit Gordes, Roussillon, and Senanque on Sunday afternoon after the l'Isle sur la Sorgue market. Most shops will be open.

Sunday: I'lle sur la Sorgue!!!!!!!!!!! - After market? Hang out at pool at B & B? - Dinner with market stuff?

Monday: Avignon (covered market at Les Halles) - (stores in lots of other towns closed?)<<

Les Halles is closed on Mondays - and also most of the stores in Avignon will be closed. Visit the market in Bedoin if you still want to visit a market - it's very nice. If the weather is clear, drive up to Mt Ventoux after the market

Stu Dudley

rogerb

Amen to Stu - the Isle market is a lot to do in one day.

Also amen - the market in Bedoin on Monday is fun, and the drive up and around Mt. Ventoux is a nice way to spend the rest of the morning. Come back thru the Gorges de la Nesque [sp? sorry] for great views

dorkforcemom

If I might chime in here with a question regarding markets in Provence, please. (I'm working on a March trip to that region.) I know nothing about the markets - please elaborate. Are these farmers' markets? antique fairs? flea markets? Thanks for filling me in...

TC

We spent 9 days in Provence about this same time of year. Starting in Marsaille (flew there from Paris) we rented a car and drove throughout. It was quite easy - booking through AutoEurope. We stayed in B&Bs which I booked myself via email. Everything was lovely. Every single proprietor was absolutely charming and so helpful steering us to local dining and sightseeing. The drives between cities were easy and short so that we could linger over alfresco lunches or scenic landscape. We found that 2 or 3 nights in each place gave us more than ample time for exploring and relaxing. Each area had something a bit unique to offer. Our favorites were Vaison-la-Romaine. L'Eviche Hotel is amazing. And Villa Agape in Avignon is outstanding as is its mistress -- the lovely Madame Michelle. I would be happy to share any further information.

Cassis: http://www.guideweb.com/provence/bb/coupier/indexa.html

Vasison-la-Romaine:
http://eveche.free.fr/uk_index.htm

Gordes:
http://www.labeaume.com/page1anglais.html

Avignon:
http://avignon-et-provence.com/bb/vi.../gb/index.html

sssteve

Please check out my web page on our trip to provence. Perhaps it can help you...

http://www.travel.stv77.com/provence/provence.html

StuDudley

>>I know nothing about the markets - please elaborate. Are these farmers' markets? antique fairs? flea markets? Thanks for filling me in...<<

All of the markets are at least farmers markets - some better than others.

l'Isle su la Sorgue - Farmers, excellent antiques/flea, excellent permanemt antique shops open same day as market, clothes, crafts, soap fabric

Carpentras - excellent farmers, clothes, craft, soap, excellent fabric

Apt - only OK farmers, excellent fabric, soap, crafts

Aix - food only at daily market at Place hotel de Ville. Food only at 3 per week market at Pl Prechers and clothes, flea,crafts, soap, fabric at Cours Marabeau

Reiz - excellent food, clothes, soap, fabric

Manosque, Forcalquir, Nyons, Uzes, Vaison, Arles, Bedoin, Sault, Malaucene, Dieulefut, Valreas - farmers, clothes, household stuff

St Remy - farmers, good crafts, soap, fabric

Gordes - small but good farmers, crafts, soap, fabric

Avignon - never seen an "open" market there - only les Halles which is just food.

Stu Dudley

Lavande

Would have to agree with Stu - you can do a market overload if you try to hit too many of them. Some of the markets are huge (e.g., Arles). Stu's pointed out the best of them (although I still believe St. Remy and L'Isle sur la Sorgue to be the best of all of them). Other than the wonderful farm fresh produce look for: fabrics (tablecloths, napkins, placemats and by the meter); olive wood utensils; pottery; quilted boutis; picnic items (cheese, olives, sausages, roasted chickens, tapenade, foie gras, fruit); kitchen gadgets and knives; Provencal print shirts, vests, skirts; bags of herbs and peppercorns; soaps in every color and fragrance; woven market baskets; hats; etc. Most of these make lovely (and inexpensive) gifts for yourselves or to take home.

cigalechanta

You must visit or stay at "L'Hotel, Les Atelier of Images" in St Remy. There are photo exhibits, workshops and screenings. We would love to stay there again.

www.hotelphoto.com