frenchaucoeur

Hi,

We are a couple in their late sixties who have visited Provence numerous times, but always basing ourselves in the Luberon (early on) and in the Haut Vaucluse around Vaison more recently. As much as we love those areas, especially Vaison, we're thinking of trying a new part of the region for our trip next year. I've been looking around Moustiers, but my concern is that to get to any of the interesting villages like Callian , Mons,and Seillans to the SE of Moustiers you must brave the Verdon Gorge or drive miles out of the way to skirt it. Driving it once is reasonable; I don't think we want to make a habit of it.

I've been doing my homework on possible alternatives, such as Castellane, but haven't found any town or village that seems all that appealing. We like--surprise--beauty, both natural and architectural, and all that Provence has to offer.We're not interested in hiking or sports--just drives to lovely places, markets, walks through lovely villages,and a great lunch. Our budget is comfortable but not unlimited--the Bastide de Moustiers would be doable for a night or two but not more. We don't particularly want to revisit the traditional Luberon area--Gordes et al.-- again--been there many times and are ready to try a new place.

So can anyone suggest a village or town to use as a base and, even better, specific hotels or b&bs? We prefer a town or village rather than a rural setting, but we'll have a car and are very comfortable driving. We've always rented houses in Provence and might do that again--depends on how long we'll be in places, which isn't decided yet--may spend a week in the Var and a week around Aix, or maybe longer in the Var and three or four days around Aix. We could also do a trip up to three weeks total. Everything is subject to revision.

Thanks for your help.

frenchaucoeur

Another idea: I've been thinking about changing the base to the area around Manosque, further west, and focusing on that area and up to Entrevaux. Any thoughts?

StuDudley

We stayed in a Gite in Entrevaux for 1 week and found lots of interesting and scenic stuff to do in the area - especially the beautiful gorges just to the north. Lots of small villages to explore. Plus, Nice is only 1 hr away.

We've also spent 4 weeks (2 trips) near Cotignac. Plenty of things to do there too - but the immediate area is somewhat similar to the Luberon with all the "cute little villages". Aix en Provence is 45 mins away.

We stay in Gites - so I don't have specific B&B or hotel recommendations.

I would not stay near Moustiers - the town itself is nice, but isolated. Riez has a good farmer's market, but the town has become more disappointing to us over the years. Fantastic lavender fields nearby in late June & July.

Stu Dudley

pariswat

Close to the beach ?
Something like Bormes les Mimosas, Cogolin, Gassin ?

We spent once a week close to Draguignan - the village was called les Arcs sur Argens - very nice with the top of the village quite medieval.

frenchaucoeur

Thanks to you both. Cotignac seems like it might work. It gives us easy access to the MBV of Bargeme and Seillans, as well as to the coastal towns. It's also an easy trip to Aix should we decide to do a couple of day trips there rather than stay in town (Aix is one of my favorite places on the planet). And we can get to Entrevaux, although it's a drive. It also looks like a lovely town with restaurants and all the stuff we tourists appreciate.

StuDudley

I developed a 20+ page itinerary for Provence & the Cote d'Azur that describes our favorite villages, scenic drives, markets, sites, etc. Lots of stuff about the area around Cotignac and Entrevaux. I've sent the itinerary to over 3,000 folks on Fodors. If you would like a copy, e-mail me at [email protected] & I'll attach one to the reply e-mail. Designate that you want the Provence/Cote d'Azur one - I have others too.

Stu Dudley

Odin

I really like Lorgues and it would be a convenient base for the Var, it is close to Cotignac. There are some nice accommodation and eating options in this area.

StuDudley

Lourges has a very nice weekly farmer's market. So does Carces.

Stu Dudley

frenchaucoeur

Okay, well now I'm confused. Lorgues looks quite lovely too and has all the geographic advantages that Cotignac offers. Is it perhaps a little less touristy or chi-chi (I've read that Cotignac is known as the Petit St. Tropez)? Or should I just toss a coin?

Thanks again.

StuDudley

Toss a coin. I would not say that one is more touristy than the other. Cotignac is 10 mins closer to Aix, and closer to the A8 also.

We actually stay in Carces
http://www.gites-de-france.com/locat...u-83G1396.html

The same proprietor also owns this gite - one of the few 5 wheatie gites in France
http://www.gites-de-france.com/locat...e-83G1857.html

Both are surrounded by vineyards. These gites are 20 mins closer to Aix than Lorgues.

Stu Dudley

FrenchMystiqueTours

I spent a week in the lovely little town of Collobrières and found it well located for visiting many places in the area.

http://www.collobrieres-tourisme.com/index.php?lang=en

http://www.visitvar.fr/welcome-to-pr...te-azur/winter

Odin

Lorgues is not chi-chi, if that helps.

pariswat

FM

Eating 'chataignes' ?

If you ever go back there, do give us a sign. We are not far away (we're on the coast)and have open bar and open bbq for you !

(and I have bought a nice bike that I don't use).

FrenchMystiqueTours

Thanks pariswat. Not planning on being there any time soon but if I go I'll take you up on your offer.