hoodpoint

We have 2 nights booked in Vaison la Romaine and need to drive there in one day from Nice. The Michelin site gives the quick way--with peages--and the slow way--without. (Over 4 hours).Is there any portion of this drive that could be done via toll road so we could make good time, but still not miss too much spectacular scenery?

And what would be logical stops--lunch, a village or two? We'd like to get to the hotel around 5-6pm.

Thanks!

Underhill

Getting from the Nice area over to Aix and Avignon is difficult if you don't use the autoroute; the alternative is going across the mountains on the Route Napoléon, which can be slow going: the road is only 2 lanes. The scenery along the way is beautiful, but it would take you a good four hours to get across and pick up the autoroute near Avignon.

I would suggest instead that you take the péage over to Aix and then branch north for Pertuis. From there you can take the D975 west to Cadanet and then a smaller road north to Bonnieux into the Lubéron. Then head west on the N100 to Cavillon, at which time you would take the D31 north to Carpentras. From Carpentras you can make your way up to Vaison through the wine villages of Beaumes-de-Venise, Vacqueras,, Gigondas, Sablet, and the pretty village of Séguret--all on scenic roads.

This itinerary will take you most of the day, but you will visit several distinct areas with good scenery. A lunch stop in Bonnieux or Ménerbes would be very nice, and both villages are worth a short visit.