2bermuda

WE are driving from Nice to Arles, spending 2 nights, then to Aix for 3 nights, returning to Nice to catch a train at 2 pm.

On the way we Will stop in Cannes. Looking for other stops on the way to Arles.
The next few days, We want to visit as many villages as reasonable. We know we cannot see everything but we would like advice on a logical wayto proceed. We do not want to spend all our time driving. But of course we want to experience as much as we ca.

We want to see, if feasible, some or all,--- Pont du Gard, the ochre fields, st Remy, les Baux,, Apt, Gordes, Isle de la Sorgue, as well as spending time in Aix and Arles and visit some markets. I wish we had more time...
Thanks in advance for any advice, suggestions, can't miss places.

2bermuda

I meant. 'ITINERARY'. Oops

StCirq

What is an ochre field?

What time of year are you traveling?

aliced

The ochres were mined and used for pastels, industry which was headquartered in Toulouse. Think Rousillion is the place. Read a fun historical novel set there WWII with "Luberon" in title; she also wrote Luncheon of the Boating Party based on Renoir's painting.

To the poster, think 5 nights in Arles & Aix will allow you to get to and spend at least a few hours in above sites. Pont du Gard can be easily combined with a visit to Avignon, allowing a full day. We stayed in St. Remy and got to Fontane de la Vacluse, Gordes, Arles, Les Baux, plus a full day in St. Remy with our other 3 nights. But we didnt have to get a train back to Nice.

cmcfong

Your screen name is a tribute to my favorite island.

Here is a lazy girl's version of a trip report for that area.

http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...s-may-2013.cfm


Have a wonderful time.

2bermuda

Thank you all. We are going in mid May so we are too early for the lavender.
Going to read that report now.
All suggestions greatly appreciated

2bermuda

Cmcfong, thanks for the great trip report. We wil certainly us this for our trip!

And yes, Bermuda is my favorite island too.

cmcfong

It is another world.

Bon voyage.

Sofi40

From Nice to Arles: I would leave the autostrada and drive to Grass, Castellane, through the Verdon canyon to Mousttiers Saint Marie, one of the most beautiful villages is France! then you can folow your way to Arles. We wnet in this way from Nice to Carpentras, we even stopped for more then 2 hours swimming after Castellane and managed this route easily in one day, even in July with traffic jam...

Arles: Never been there but should be nice. Perhaps instead of visiting Avignon + Pont du Gard think about ST Rémy Provence + Pont du Gard (if it is hot take your swimming suits you can swim blelow the bridge!)

From Arles to Aix: Try the way diving through Martigues. Nobody is suggesting this place but it is really worth to visit!

Provence: Before planning check which village has the market on the choosed day. Be aweare that sometimes a village is more enjoyable when there is no market which means crowds and parking problems! (I highly reccomend to visit Roussilion and Menerbes when there is no market day!)
1.day suggestion (if you plan to drove from AIX): Lourmarin, Bonnieux, Lacoste, Roussillion + the okker valley, Goult, Menerbes
2.day suggestion: Isle sur la Sourge, Fontaine de Vacluse, Venasque, Gordes, Oppede le Vieux

Of course if you plan only one day then you should take out something but I would defenitly keep: Lacoste, Roussillon, Menerbes and Oppede le Vieux!

And if you still have time take the train from AIX to Marseille to see the old Port the Notre Dame and make a boat trip to Fioul + If!

jamikins

I highly recommend a stop in Moustier Sainte Marie!

Try to make a reservation at Les Santons www.lessantons.com for lunch (reservations are a must).

You can see our pics of Provence here:

https://flickr.com/photos/[email protected]

2bermuda

Thank you, great suggestions!

Christina

St Remy and Avignon are not remotely similar and you can't just substitute St Remy for Avignon, an important and historic city.