Beth Anderson

Hi all, <BR> <BR>Just me again! More questions... <BR> <BR>Has anyone stayed at a particular gite/chambres de hote that just 'blew you away'? Specifically in the Provence/Cote d"Azur area. <BR> <BR>We've got our first couple of nights nailed down, as a group at any rate. <BR> <BR>My first night will be alone, and I am undecided as to where to alight for the evening. I am planning on taking the TGV into Avignon, and head to Arles first thing in the morning (if I don't end up staying in Arles). Are there any gites (or anyplace special, really) you would recommend in that general area (somewhere between Avignon and Arles). <BR> <BR>It looks like I have some choices in St. Remy and Les Baux. I have a penchant for nice country drives so I might pick up the car in the afternoon and just meander around until I find something... but if there is something that is just WOW out there, I'd love to know about it (including things to visit/hike etc...) <BR> <BR>thanks everyone! <BR> <BR>Beth <BR> <BR>

Beth Anderson

hi... anyone?

Ess

I can't answer your question, Beth, as I'm not familiar with the area, but I wanted to tell you that I envy you your upcoming trip. It sounds lovely! Christmas in August is exactly what it feels like, I'm sure! I admire your willingness to just drive and find something. After our last trip, and discovering that there are so many nice places to stay that you wouldn't have known about before you got there, I'll feel much freer about keeping an open itinerary. Have a wonderful time - both planning and going!

Christina

Beth, I did recently stay in some very nice small country hotels/inns but not near Avignon or Arles. I'm not big on B&Bs, prefer something else myself, but I guess you know gites in France usually have a long minimum rental period, I thought. Anyway, in case you don't know, the new Avignon TGV station is sort of SW of Avignon (on the route to Arles, actually). Unless you are familiar with that area, I wouldn't exactly recommend renting a car and driving around looking for a B&B after a transatlantic flight and long train trip to Avignon, unless you aren't going right from the flight to Avignon. I saw a lot of B&B signs out in the country where I was staying (around Pernes-les-Fontaines) but that was after several days of familitarity with the area. Avignon and its surroundings are rather urban. If I were you, I'd just take the shuttle bus (which I understand operates all day beteen the TGV station and the Avignon in-town train station) into Avignon and crash somewhere easy in town that night. Then, pick up the rental car in central Avignon (most are at the central train station) the next day. Or, if you want a maratron, you could take the shuttle into Avignon gare and catch a train to Arles, I suppose, or pick up a rental car at the TGV station and drive immediately to Arles, as I said, it's on the road, but I would not wander around looking for a room myself. (Avignon and Arles aren't that far apart).

Beth Anderson

Thanks Ess and Christina! <BR> <BR>My book is a combo gites/chambres de hotes. It's pretty cool. <BR> <BR>I might end up staying in Avignon - sounds like there is a lot to see and I don't think we'll have much time to visit on the swing back - although, we are heading back to Paris from there so we will be in that vicinity for at least one night on the way home. <BR> <BR>I do have the car reserved for a pickup at 5 that afternoon though. I'll be fine, I've done the jetlag power drive many a time now, I should be a-ok. thanks for your concern though!

linda

Beth, The guide I have from 1997 had few places in the Cote d'Azur area. Does the new guide have a wide selection? One place that I tried to get in the Aix area in 97 was difficult to contact. I finally found out that the unit was no longer available. I got discouraged. How is your luck? <BR> <BR>linda

Beth Anderson

Hi Linda <BR> <BR>Check out <BR> <BR>www.gites-de-france.fr <BR> <BR>I just took a look (don't have the book with me) and it appears there are 543 homes within the whole of the Provence/Cote d'Azur area... <BR> <BR>16 near Nice. <BR> <BR>4 near Marseille. <BR> <BR>35 near Aix. <BR> <BR>Hope this helps... <BR> <BR>Beth <BR> <BR>

linda

Beth, Away for a while and my search requests were not working-sorry. Happy and excited to get your info. Thank you. <BR> <BR>linda