Atuin

Hello,
My wife will be attending a week-long business meeting in Ste. Marie de-la-mer (South of Arles, right next to the Camargue). I will be joining her at the end of the meeting (March 30th) and we plan to travel in the area. Our time is short, only a couple of days before we must head back to Paris and fly back to the US.
So my question to all you better-travelled Fodorites - what should we see? What would you see/where would you go in the area? We will have rental car, and will likely return to Paris via TGV. We can do that from any station-Marseille, Avignon, Lyon etc.
Any suggestions are very welcome. Also, if there is something we should not return to the US without, shopping-wise, please let us know (Must bring gifts for kids and my parents, who will be taking care of them

Thank you, and best regards,
David

plambers

there is a book called "the markets of provence" and lists all the market days for the various towns. we went to st remy on wed (if my memory serves me right) and to isle sur la sorge on sunday. the various towns in the luberon are great-our favorites were roussilon, oppede de vieaux (sp?), and st remy. gordes and menerbes can be viewed from the road. we also loved the wine areas and went to a great wine tasting/picnic. we also went on some great hike but forget where. we stayed at the villa velleron, a karen brown choice. they can help you plan your itinerary and eat great meals.

StCirq

Well, you absolutely have to visit Aigues-Mortes. And see if you can arrange dinner at a restaurant called la Telline - quite an experience - out in the middle of nowhere in the Camargue.

I'd certainly visit Arles, and then on to Les Baux and St-Rémy. If you have time, a trip to the Pont du Gard and maybe Uzès would fit in nicely.

Ronda

ttt

Underhill

You might enjoy seeing the small town of Fontvielle, from which you can go in all directions and see interesting sights. The Relais et Châteaux hotel there, La Régalido, is very comfortable and quietwith a beautiful garden, and the rooms feel more like those in a private home than in a hotel. Besides the hotel's excellent restaurant there are others within easy walking distance, and there's a very nice shop with tempting gifts--especially local pottery.

Atuin

Thank you for the suggestions.
We will visit Aigues-Mortes, then up to Arles and sleep in Les Baux. The next day we'll head to Avignon, tour a little and then board the TGV to Paris.
Pont Du Gard will be viewed, of course, as we travel between sites. Thankfully, we know we'll be here again and can try to avoid succumbing to 'must-see-all-itis'.

thanks,
David