Itinerary advice -- Provence in early Oct.
Sep 18th, 2015, 08:02 PM
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Itinerary advice -- Provence in early Oct.
We will be spending 3 1/2 days in Provence in early October. This will be our first trip to the region and we know it's not nearly enough time to do the area justice. We want to make the most of our time without running ourselves ragged. Our interests lean more towards villages and scenery than cities, ancient ruins vs museums. Of course the latter could change if the weather is rainy!
We'll be staying in St. Remy for 4 nights, arriving in Avignon via train on a Monday, mid-afternoon. We will be renting a car at the train station. We are reluctant to leave our luggage in the car, but our check-in time isn't until 17:00. So the first question is whether there is anything we can do over those 3 or 4 hours (perhaps near Avignon but that keeps the luggage safe) after we arrive but before we drive to our hotel in St. Remy? Alternatively, we should be able to drive directly to St. Remy and drop off our luggage then head back out.
The 3 full days we'll have in the region will be a Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday. We were thinking that we might like to take a drive each day to a different area, with sightseeing/driving in the morning, followed by a charming lunch locale, followed by some more sights.
We know we'd like to see the light/music show at Les Baux and friends have said that l'Oustalet in Gigondas was one of their favorite meals. The town of Uzes is currently on our short list. A village market morning is also something we'd like to do. We love good food and are interested in tasty meals that are served in lovely settings.
What itinerary might you recommend for 3 wonderful days? Thanks in advance for all your suggestions!
Best, Roberta
We'll be staying in St. Remy for 4 nights, arriving in Avignon via train on a Monday, mid-afternoon. We will be renting a car at the train station. We are reluctant to leave our luggage in the car, but our check-in time isn't until 17:00. So the first question is whether there is anything we can do over those 3 or 4 hours (perhaps near Avignon but that keeps the luggage safe) after we arrive but before we drive to our hotel in St. Remy? Alternatively, we should be able to drive directly to St. Remy and drop off our luggage then head back out.
The 3 full days we'll have in the region will be a Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday. We were thinking that we might like to take a drive each day to a different area, with sightseeing/driving in the morning, followed by a charming lunch locale, followed by some more sights.
We know we'd like to see the light/music show at Les Baux and friends have said that l'Oustalet in Gigondas was one of their favorite meals. The town of Uzes is currently on our short list. A village market morning is also something we'd like to do. We love good food and are interested in tasty meals that are served in lovely settings.
What itinerary might you recommend for 3 wonderful days? Thanks in advance for all your suggestions!
Best, Roberta
Sep 18th, 2015, 08:14 PM
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How's this:
Tuesday: Uzes and the Pont du Gard during the day and if you have the energy, perhaps Arles in the evening for dinner and to see the Roman ruins all lit up.
Wednesday: market in St. Remy during the morning, then Les Baux and Glanum (unless you are Roman ruined-out) and Saint Paul de Mausole (where Van Gogh stayed after losing it) and if you have the time, a nice little sunset drive through the Alpilles.
Thursday: Côte du Rhône wine villages (lunch in Gigondas) and either Vaison or Avignon.
Well, there you have it. You'll have left out completely the Luberon, the coast, the Camargue, Aix, Marseille, etc. etc. But as you yourself point out, you don't have a lot of time. From where you have chosen to base yourself and given the things you say you definitely want to see and do, I think the above would give you a decent taste of the area.
- Kevin
Tuesday: Uzes and the Pont du Gard during the day and if you have the energy, perhaps Arles in the evening for dinner and to see the Roman ruins all lit up.
Wednesday: market in St. Remy during the morning, then Les Baux and Glanum (unless you are Roman ruined-out) and Saint Paul de Mausole (where Van Gogh stayed after losing it) and if you have the time, a nice little sunset drive through the Alpilles.
Thursday: Côte du Rhône wine villages (lunch in Gigondas) and either Vaison or Avignon.
Well, there you have it. You'll have left out completely the Luberon, the coast, the Camargue, Aix, Marseille, etc. etc. But as you yourself point out, you don't have a lot of time. From where you have chosen to base yourself and given the things you say you definitely want to see and do, I think the above would give you a decent taste of the area.
- Kevin
Sep 18th, 2015, 08:43 PM
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Kevin,
Thank you so much for your suggestions. If we wanted to "add in" a few villages in the Luberon (for example Gordes to Roussillon) is there a day that would make the most sense for this? Perhaps we need to eliminate Uzes and take this drive instead on Tuesday?
Also, perhaps we might be able to visit the Pont du Gard on Monday afternoon, right after we arrive at the train station in Avignon. It seems like the paid parking lot might be "reasonably safe" if luggage is not visible.
Best, Roberta
Thank you so much for your suggestions. If we wanted to "add in" a few villages in the Luberon (for example Gordes to Roussillon) is there a day that would make the most sense for this? Perhaps we need to eliminate Uzes and take this drive instead on Tuesday?
Also, perhaps we might be able to visit the Pont du Gard on Monday afternoon, right after we arrive at the train station in Avignon. It seems like the paid parking lot might be "reasonably safe" if luggage is not visible.
Best, Roberta
Sep 19th, 2015, 01:11 PM
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My favorite market was at Isle-sur-la-Sorgue. Their market days are Sunday and Thursday. It had everything and Isle-sur-la-Sorgue has a river running through it making it a lovely place.
You could combine Uzes and Pont de Gard on the same day. IMO, Uzes doesn't take very long. On Thursday, you could do the market at Isle-sur-la-Sorgue, followed by driving to Gordes which you really should see. From St. Remy to Isle-sur-la-Sorgue, it takes about 30 minutes and then from there to Gordes, it's another 20-25 minutes. I liked the drive, so it didn't really seem long to me at all.
You could combine Uzes and Pont de Gard on the same day. IMO, Uzes doesn't take very long. On Thursday, you could do the market at Isle-sur-la-Sorgue, followed by driving to Gordes which you really should see. From St. Remy to Isle-sur-la-Sorgue, it takes about 30 minutes and then from there to Gordes, it's another 20-25 minutes. I liked the drive, so it didn't really seem long to me at all.
Sep 19th, 2015, 02:38 PM
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Topeater, thanks so much for your suggestions.
If we go on Thursday to Isle-sur-la-Sorgue, then on to Gordes and possibly Rousillon, what recommendations do folks have for a nice lunch locale and restaurant?
If anyone else would like to weigh in with suggestions for dividing up the 3+ days, it is much appreciated!
Best, Roberta
If we go on Thursday to Isle-sur-la-Sorgue, then on to Gordes and possibly Rousillon, what recommendations do folks have for a nice lunch locale and restaurant?
If anyone else would like to weigh in with suggestions for dividing up the 3+ days, it is much appreciated!
Best, Roberta
Sep 19th, 2015, 10:23 PM
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Roberta,
You could certainly do Gordes on Thursday after your lunch in Gigondas. If you were feeling slightly adventurous (and hadn't had much wine at lunch) you can take the route via Carpentras through Venasque (gorgeous village much overlooked) and then on to Gordes via the back roads. Lovely scenery through the Vaucluse mountains, but very windy roads.
If not, just head more directly via Carpentras, Pernes, Isle-sur-la-Sorgue and then on to Gordes. It's not a great drive scenery wise (in fact, one of the few drives anywhere in Provence I could do without), but it would be quicker for you.
After Gordes, you could conceivably hit Roussillon for dinner. That would be a long day, but doable I suppose.
- Kevin
You could certainly do Gordes on Thursday after your lunch in Gigondas. If you were feeling slightly adventurous (and hadn't had much wine at lunch) you can take the route via Carpentras through Venasque (gorgeous village much overlooked) and then on to Gordes via the back roads. Lovely scenery through the Vaucluse mountains, but very windy roads.
If not, just head more directly via Carpentras, Pernes, Isle-sur-la-Sorgue and then on to Gordes. It's not a great drive scenery wise (in fact, one of the few drives anywhere in Provence I could do without), but it would be quicker for you.
After Gordes, you could conceivably hit Roussillon for dinner. That would be a long day, but doable I suppose.
- Kevin
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