Sunday and Monday in Provence area

Old Apr 16th, 2017, 05:15 AM
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Sunday and Monday in Provence area

We will be spending three nights in Villeneuve-les-Avignon, so have two full days. We would like to spend one day exploring Pont-du-Gard, Uzes and a little of Avignon and the other visiting some Luberon towns and L'isle-sur-la-Sorgue. Unfortunately, the two days are Sunday and Monday. From what I have read, many stores and restaurants are closed and things are very quiet on those days. Can someone in the know tell me which day would be better at Pont-du-Gard and Uzes and which in Luberon. We are not interested in the market at L'isle-sur-la-Sorgue. Thanks for any advice.
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Old Apr 16th, 2017, 06:28 AM
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Any day is fine for the Pont. I've always assumed that shops in Uzes would be closed on Sunday & Monday morning - but someone who has a second home in Uzes specified that many shops are open on Sunday (don't know about Monday).

Of course, everything will be open in l'Isle sur la Sorgue on Sunday since that's their big market day. We were there on a Monday morning once & everything was closed up tight. Shops in Gordes & Roussillon will be open on Sunday (probably Monday morning also) - but we were in Bonnieux on a Sunday about 10 years ago & most shops were closed. I suspect the same is true for Gordes, Roussillon, and Bonnieux on Monday morning also. I don't know about Menerbes.

Most non-food shops will be closed on Sunday & Monday morning in Avignon. But museums, the Palais des Papes, and churches will be open. On Sunday, there will probably be a lot of folks in the Place de l'Horloge having their big mid-day meal.

Perhaps l'Isle sur la Sorgue market, a drive through the scenic Luberon Valley with visits to Gordes & Roussillon would be a good Sunday task. Then the Pont du Gard Monday morning, Avignon and/or Avignon Monday afternoon would be a good plan.

Stu Dudley

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Old Apr 16th, 2017, 10:19 AM
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Thanks, Stu,
I knew I could depend on you for good advice. One more question, do stores, restaurants open and turnout increase on Monday afternoon in Uzes and Luberon, or is Monday a complete wash?
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Old Apr 16th, 2017, 10:30 AM
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Most stores open in the afternoon - but after lunch (not at 12:01). Here is a survey I did on Aix & St Remy:

While in Aix in mid June ’10, I did a “survey” of about 30 shops that had opening & closing days & times posted on their storefronts. Of these 30 shops, 5 were open all day Monday (including a Gap and Monoprix – chain-type stores), 10 were closed all day Monday, and 15 were open Monday afternoon only. Only 1 shop was open on Sunday. Shops in very “touristy” towns like St Paul, St Tropez, and Gordes are always open. We were recently in St Remy on a Sunday. My wife visited 11 shops that interested her (she likes housewares – no clothes or souvenirs). Two other shops looked interesting from the outside, but were closed on Sunday. Of these 11 shops, 5 were closed all day on Monday, 2 were only open Monday afternoon (around 2:30), and 4 were open all day Monday. The very touristy shops that are prevalent in almost every tourist destination village in Provence (Olivades, Souleiado, Terre de Provence), are usually open on Sunday & Monday.


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Old Apr 16th, 2017, 10:36 AM
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Pont du Gard is a tourist attraction and old ruin, nothing to do with shops or restaurants closing and is never closed, except at night. Most of the places you name are very interested in tourists, believe me, they are not dead in their peak season on any day (like those Luberon towns).

Shops are always open that sell to tourists in those locations (like Gordes). Wouldn't you go to Uzes for a reason, not just to go shopping? The Duchy there is open every single day for tourism, for example. There are plenty of restaurants open there, you aren't going to not be able to eat. Some close on Mondays but in winter, not summer. Some may be closed for Sunday and Monday at lunch or open Sunday at lunch but closed for Sunday evening. Others are open every day in the summer. If I had to choose, I'd probably say Monday was deader than Sunday in Uzes, but in those touristy Luberon towns, it doesn't matter that much.
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Old Apr 16th, 2017, 12:40 PM
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Thanks, Stu and Christine,
Sorry, I didn't mean to imply I am only interested in shopping. In fact, I am not much of a shopper at all. It is the ambiance of peopled streets and villages and pretty unshuttered, unbarred shop windows I am looking for. In other words, I am worried that Uzes and Luberon are ghost towns on Sundays and Mondays during the end of May when I am visiting. Based on your advice, I think we will head west to Uzes and Pont on Sunday and Luberon on Monday. Thanks again!
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Old Apr 16th, 2017, 01:10 PM
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As I mentioned earlier - you will find almost nothing open in l'Isle sur la Sorgue on Monday. The town may look quite drab - except for some uninformed tourists wandering around.

Stu Dudley
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Old Apr 16th, 2017, 01:13 PM
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News from the front :
I am right now in Cote d'Azur, on the seaside. It was today Sunday Easter and LOTS of shops were open.
Lots. And about all restaurants.
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Old Apr 16th, 2017, 01:15 PM
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Hmmm. On second thought, it is East to Luberon on Sunday and West to Uzes on Monday.
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Old Apr 18th, 2017, 11:33 AM
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The Luberon countryside is beautiful and there are special villages that don't really have shopping. Perhaps Monday is a day to enjoy the outdoors, without so much focus on the more tourist-oriented village with shops and markets.

You could enjoy time in the village of Saignon, exploring the small streets, and making your way up to the top of the big rock and old castle ruins for amazing views.

Another interesting Luberon village is Oppede-le-Vieux. The parking is below the ancient village. You can make your way up through the old walled village to the church. (It's no longer possible to climb among the ruins of the chateau.)

We also really enjoy the Cedar Forest above Bonnieux. More amazing views from the mountain road. There's a fairly easy walk on a level path, until you finally emerge from the forest on the side side of the Petit Luberon.

And really no shops in Lacoste either... an ancient restored village, and two cafes where you could have a light lunch or just enjoy a drink.

Kathy
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Old Apr 18th, 2017, 11:38 AM
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Minimal/no shops in Goult either, but it is a very interesting village to explore by foot. Great place for Sunday lunch - but get there early because when we had lunch there it was "complet" by 1:30. We stayed in a gite in Goult for 2 weeks in 2014.

Stu Dudley
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Old Apr 27th, 2017, 02:56 AM
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Thanks, everyone, for your advice. Now I will have to prioritize my village visits.
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Old Apr 27th, 2017, 10:27 AM
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Have you considered St. Rémy for the Van Gogh monastery/asylum? Open daily.
http://www.saintremy-de-provence.com...e-Mausole.html
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Old Jun 27th, 2017, 12:55 PM
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Am going to Provence in August and wondering how your Sunday/Monday went. Thinking of Uzes and the Pont du Gard on Monday and would like to hear about your experience. Thanks!
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