Just a note about car rentals at the Avignon TGV station. As recently as 18 months ago, there were still no signs directing renters to the west side of the station where all the rental companies are located. (To the right of the direction of travel from CDG.)

In 2008, our first time renting a car there, we went to the east and found ourselves doing a lot of extra walking. We were surprised there were still no signs to help people as ignorant as ourselves when we returned.

vence and St-Paul-de-Vence - there is a sweet walking path thru a forest in part going down from Vence to St-Paul - just a few kms and it comes right out by the Maeght Foundation's art estate - a very famous place - just before the hill town of St-Paul. So if at all mobile consider strolling down to St-Paul!

>>Day 4 St Paul de Vence and Vence
Day 5 Luberon and/or nearby sites
Day 6 AM Vence and leave for airport. <<

??????? the Luberon is in Provence close to St Remy - not on the Cote d'Azur close to Vence.

Assuming this is a typo - I would vote for #1.

On day 3, make the "explore nearby" the Luberon..

Look at my itinerary that I sent you & just follow it. I wrote a "time schedule" for the Luberon a few years ago.

Luberon - Time schedule

8:00 or 8:30 - Get to Gordes, pull the car over at the view "spot" & take a picture. Park the car in the lot, and visit Gordes. Have a cafe creme & croissants for breakfast at one of the outdoor cafes. Walk down to the Lavoire & back. Explore Gordes.

10:00 leave Gordes.
10:30 arrive in Oppede le Vieux & explore a bit
11:30 leave Oppede, drive to Menerbes
11:45 arrive in Menerbes & explore. Grab a sandwich for lunch & sit on a bench with a view & have lunch.
12:45 leave Menerbes
1:00 arrive in Lacoste, drive up towards the village & view Bonnieux across the valley. No visit of Lacoste. Drive to Bonnieux.
1:45 Visit Bonnieux (sandwich, if you didn't have one in Menerbes)
3:15 leave Bonnieux & head to Roussillon.
3:45 arrive in Roussillon, park the car, and explore Roussillon. Visit the Ocre fields. Have an afternoon coffee at a cafe.
5:45 Leave Roussillon. If you still have some energy left, visit Goult - otherwise, call it a day.

Stu Dudley

That looks great Stu.. I really must get a decent map.

To respond to Jeff, heck, you just walk out of the rather obvious side of the TGV station where the parking lots are and all the signs for the car rental agencies, and voilà. There ARE signs. On the other side, it's rather clear that it's just a wasteland of nothingness and nowhere to deal with rental cars.

Basingstoke, yes, you need to buy the detailed Provence map from Michelin. I like your first itinerary.

I agree with others. Make St. Remy your first stop. I believe it's 1/2 hour drive from Avignon. After flying into CDG, then taking the train, I can't imagine that you would want to continue driving to Aix then the Riviera right away. From St. Remy, there's lots to see including Arles.

Consider Cap Ferrat as a place to stay on the Riviera. Its in between Nice and Monaco and its where the Rothchild Gardens and mansion is - and the Greek Villa Kerylos in Beaulieu. All beautiful areas.

<3 book marking <3

great advice. bookmarking

writing this from CDG airport on way to Zurich. There was indeed good advice. There was a lot of construction in St Remy. Detailed report to follow when I return in mid May. Loved Arles, Gordes and Roussillon.

Looking forward to your trip report! Bkmrking