ziba

I may be spending about 3 weeks in France from March 25-April 12th (when I will need to meet a friend in Aix en Provence). I'm looking for a town or two to relax (jog/bike by a river/scenic area, good food, people watching, day trips) as I start my online job search for a new job. Just to give you an idea of my preferences, when I traveled to Italy, I preferred towns/cities like Verona, Lucca, or Florence over Milan and Rome. Any guidance or recommendations would be greatly appreciated. I was thinking about Lyon and/or Aix en Provence. Thanks!

grandmere

Check out the small town of L'Isle-sur-la-Sorgue, which is located in the middle of the Sorgue River in Provence; well known for its Sunday market, including an antiques fair. It's a bit east of Avignon, west of the Luberon villages; IMO, perfect for what you say you want. Great in its own for scenery, food, people watching,biking/jogging and perfectly located for day trips all over western Provence. Train and bus transportation although it's easier for day-tripping to have a rental car.
We stayed in a very cute, compact little apartment overlooking the riverwalk and river.

Underhill

I strongly recommend that you get a copy of the Michelin Green Guide to Provence and do some reading. You'll find a wealth of travel and sightseeing information, along with recommended itineraries--very helpful for planning and deciding just what you want to visit.

Three weeks is a very nice period of time for many adventures.

joannyc

I much preferred Aix to Lyon. Aix seemed much quainter to me than Lyon. Liked Lyon's old town but not much to it and rest of the city is just a big city.

kja

I second the recommendation for the <i>Michelin Green Guide</i>.

Another option, which I think was mentioned on your other thread: Toulouse.

Southam

Avignon, not far from Aix-en-Provence but with good tourist connections to the entire area. And on my own wish list, Marseille, for the big-city experience of a place undergoing rapid changes.

WoinParis

Grenoble.

StCirq

The Dordogne - Sarlat.

kja

Will you have a car? If so, then I'll happily second Sarlat and the Dordogne.

Helsie

I vote for Sarlat too though you really do need a car. If you have three weeks perhaps a week in three places. Then perhaps on to somewhere like Pezenas where there are plenty of side trips to keep you interested ( including Carcassonne if you are interested ) then somewhere in Provence though I would never stay in L'Isle-sur-la-Sorgue. Too over run by tourist hordes though lovely to visit. We found St Remy a good base but there are plenty of lovely places to choose from. Not too far then when you move on to Aix.

ziba

Thanks so everyone for all your responses and suggestions! This information has been quite helpful.