mavip

Hi- We are finalizing our trip to Provence and the French Riviera with thanks to all of you for a great deal of suggestions. It appears as though we have "run out" of days with too many places to see. What an terrible l problem, right????? Trying to narrow down, so we decided to stop in Aix on the way to Nice instead of spending a whole day there while we are staying in Avignon. We will have suitcases in the car and are concerned about leaving them while we explore Aix.
Is there a "safe" place for us to store them ( train station,etc.) for a few hours or is that not a good idea.We usually travel lighter but we had two weddings to attend during this trip.- thus the suitcases. Thanks as always for the help.
Oh here is our tentative itinerary:
Day 1 Avignon, Les Baux, St Remy
Day 2 Isle-su-la-Sorge, Gordes, Roussillon
Day 3 Uzes, Pont du Gard, Arles
Day 4 Aix-en- provence
But we only have 3 days -so we thought we would stop in Aix on the way to Nice.
Any opinions?

uhoh_busted

You will probably know if you are able to keep the suitcases stashed unseen in the trunk of your car, once you've traveled around in it for a few days. Where are you staying? You may just decide to enjoy the drive to Nice, stopping somewhere nice (what day of the week will it be...if it is a market day, parking may be hard to find) for lunch and a look-see -- possibly Aix, or maybe someplace else.

Remember, this may turn out to be the first of several trips to the area. You also will know after the first two days that you will be back again and you can save Aix for your next trip.

mavip

Unfortunately rented car is a 5 door hatchback- no trunk.

uhoh_busted

Well, that can also mean that it could have a good pull-across cover from the top of the back seat to below the back window. We've had hatchbacks like that in France and Italy, and things can be left pretty well unseen. It depends on your comfort level, and you can't really establish that until you are IN the vehicle. A "pro" can always break into any car, trunk or not. Fortunately, we've never had a problem with anyone breaking into a rental car while in Europe. Our trips are usually for 3 weeks or longer and we kind of have learned to keep the interior looking as "untouristy" as possible (stash maps and guidebooks in pockets or glove boxes, along with CDs or iPods, etc.) Really, the kind of cautions you likely take at home.

Also, the vehicle rented often is not the one you end up with, so there is always that bit of luck to consider as well!

Leave that travel day to serendipity....maybe Aix, maybe St Paul de Vence...Tourettes sur Loup...

DebitNM

Our rental car was broken into while we stopped to explore Menerbes and have lunch. There was nothing in the car or trunk of value. There was nothing inside the car that indicated tourist or local.

There was the one tell tale sign - the license plate had the dreaded rental card department number on it.

I would not leave anything in a car. Even if nothing of value is taken there is still the cost of perhaps a broken window etc which is costly - 1500 euros!

StuDudley

There may be enclosed parking garages in Aix.

When we leave the bags in the car, we back the car up against a wall, tree, lamp post, or anything else so that the trunk area can't be accessed or opened. You want to make your car more difficult to break into than the cars next to you. Maybe lace the bags handles together with a bike chain & lock so it is awkward for a thief to steal an entire bag.

Stu Dudley

mavip

Great ideas. What about checking luggage in a locker in the train station?

StuDudley

I don't know if they have lockers - but that would be a good idea.

Stu Dudley

cmcfong

If you are ready to eat while you are in Les Baux treat yourself to an unforgettable meal at La Cabra d ' Or. It was a highlight of our trip!