aussie_10

We are travelling to France in October and want to stay in Provence. There are 6 of us, our first time visit.

We have been looking at accommodation and really like 2 places one in Uzes (which has great reviews) and another in Roussillon which looks like a great area to visit.

Should we spend time in both places(they both require a week booking at a time).

We are also looking at staying in the Dordogne

aussie_10

I must apologise for my typo error in the title.

Does anyone have any suggestions for where to stay in Provence for best touring base. We will have a car

TuckH

Roussillon would be preferable IMO. Yes, it IS a great area to visit and it's central to most of the towns, villages and countryside (Luberon) you'd want to see. It'd make an ideal touring base.

An additional one would be in the vicinity of Saint-Rémy. You'd reach Les Baux, Arles, Avignon, Pont du Gard and Uzès from there.

A third option would be near the Dentelles in the area of Vaison-la-Romaine.

StuDudley

If this is your first visit to Provence, I would recommend Roussillon. If this is going to be your forth or more visitand you have already stayed in the Luberon - then Uzes. We've stayed in both areas for at least 2 weeks each - plus the Dentelles/Mt Ventoux, and Sr Remy (multiple weeks each).

Stu Dudley

nametaken

I would spend one week in Uzes and one week in Roussillon or other Luberon town. The advantage of staying in Uzes is that you are very close to Nimes, Pont du Gard, Avingnon, Arles, great wine tasting in Lirac, Tavel and Chateau du Pape, Camargue, etc., Les Baux(about the same distance from either location). Uzes is a very charming medieval town. There are many good restaurants and shops. There are two markets--Wednesday(meats, fruit and veggies) and Saturday a full market. The Luberon speaks for itself. I would recommend you visit some of the small towns to get a feel of the untourist Luberon. My husband and I enjoyed staying a week in each location. Have fun planning.

aussie_10

Thank you for all your replies I appreciate your help.

Yes Stu this is our first visit I have read your Provence report (which has been most helpful, thank you).

We are also looking at spending some time in Montpazier (Dordogne). We will have to drive between Dordogne and Provence.

All up we have a month. We were hoping to spend about 5 days in Paris maybe some time in the Loire and the rest between Dordogne and Provence.

We have been to Paris in our youth.
We are 3 Aussie couples. The places that we have been looking at to stay are very nice, can accommodate 6 comfortably and are in Aussie dollars which helps with no exchange rate as our Aussie dollar has taken a hit against the US$ and Euro.

I really like the idea of staying in the Luberon, however the accommodation at Uzes is very highly recommended.

Are we trying to fit too much in? We are somewhat restricted by weekly bookings unless one region we just stay a few nights at hotels or B&Bs. We just liked the idea of coming home to our own space.

I thank you for all the wonderful infomation provided on this site.

ira

Hi 10,

>All up we have a month. We were hoping to spend about 5 days in Paris maybe some time in the Loire and the rest between Dordogne and Provence.

6 nights in Paris
3 nights in the Loire Valley
5 nights in the Dordogne
one week in Uzes and
one week in Rousillon.

Enjoy your visit.

cigalechanta

I think Roussillon too, for a first visit so that you can go to different places on your list. We like staying in the Alpilles and don't mind the drives to the villages in other areas. We have been doing that for years. Stayong in Uzes, a town I love is in the Gard, great for visiting the Camargue, Nimes, Arles and the pont.

aussie_10

Hi Ira
Fisrtly I have enjoyed your trip reports. Thank you

Your suggestions sound like a good plan. So you think Uzes and Roussillon are both worth a week each.

Suggested itinery:

-6 nights Paris
-catch train to Loire pick up hire/lease car 3 nights
-5 nights Dordogne (will have to find somewhere else to stay as cottage was for a week)
-7 nights Uzes
-7 Roussillon
-catch TGV train back to Paris
-fly home

Any suggestions for accommodation Dordogne for 6

aussie_10

Hi Cigalechanta

Thanks for your reply, just saw your post.
Have you seen mine above. I'm thinking it might be a plan.

We the 3 couples are getting together next weekend to finalise the itinery over a few wines and to start booking places

StuDudley

I would try REAL hard to stay a full 7 nights in the Dordogne so you can rent a Gite and not have to stay in hotels. There is PLENTY of things to do in the Dordogne to occupy your time for 6 days. You'll regret leaving.

One week in Roussillon & 1 in Uzes would be fine.

Stu Dudley

aussie_10

Hi Stu

I agree about the Dordogne, just don't know where to skim the days.

Maybe we need some days added to the whole trip (not sure this can happen because of work)

Thats why I was not sure about a week in both Uzes & Roussillon.

If we cut down 2 nights in one of those which would you pick

StuDudley

For a first-timer, I would spend more time in Roussillon than Uzes.

Unless you are a big chateau fan, you could skip the Loire (countryside is not nearly as scenic as the Dordogne or Provence, IMO) and pick up the days there. If you visit Versailles while in Paris (stay an extra day to do this?), I think that you could perhaps fill your chateau appetite.

Stu Dudley

StuDudley

Do you also have my Dordogne report??

Stu Dudley

cigalechanta

cut the time in uzes if you are starting out in Provence, you can stop on your way to the Dordogne.

nametaken

Personally, I would not cut the time in Uzes. I have visited different areas in France six times since 1990. Uzes is my very favorite single village to visit. Do not skip it. It is so close to other, and in particular Roman ruins, great places to see that are close. I forgot to mention Glanum--this is a great Roman piece of history. If you have found a good rental there, you will find it at a better price than in Provence per se. Do look at that for good value. The food is also cheaper there than in the Luberon. Happy planning and have a good trip.

cigalechanta

Uzes needs only a few days to see the wonders there,
St Remy is another place to stay to visit Glanum and Les Antiques. I love Uzes and we stopped there every year but for a first time to see Provence, it is better to stay
in Roussillon but should you decide to stay in Uzes, I discovered my now favorite white wine , PIC POUL

nametaken

Sometimes I feel that I have posted to a ghost. I know that I do not have the experience of some of the other posters, but I do have some knowledge about what I am responding to. It does take some energy to respond to the forum. I may just become a reader of info.

cigalechanta

no you haven't, nametaken. We all have are own idea of what Provence is like, and how we explore it. So everyone's input counts. Some of us disagree all the time. For instance, I like serindipity and don't follow in anyone's itinery, I always read about where I wanted to go, eat, see. You'll see us disagreeing on the better destination, Aix or Avignon?
Keep posting

nametaken

Thanks Ciga Mc