BarbaraF

We are a fit couple in our 60s and have 8 mid-September days in Provence. Will rent a car. We want to have @ two days of biking (recreational, not intense). Objective is to see a lot, but no crazy-packed days. We like hiking the countryside, old villages, beautiful landscapes, and good food. I would rather that most of our time be outside. Flying into and out of Marseille. After reading many comments, websites, and books, this is what I've come up with, and would love to have the benefit of your experience, before I finalize and book hotels:

Day 1 (Friday) arrive in Marseille and transfer to Aix-en-Provence (2 nights) Cezanne Atelier and Cezanne Trail
Day 2 (Saturday) Aix-en-Provence market day and old village
Day 3 (Sunday) Rent a car and drive to Lourmarin, Bonnieux, Roussillon, and Gordes. Overnight Gordes
Day 4 (Monday) drive from Gordes to St. Remy, via Avignon
Day 5 (Tuesday) Bike from St. Remy to Lex Baux, tour Lex Baux sites
Day 6 (Wednesday) St. Remy market day, easy hike around St. Remy (suggestions?)
Day 7 (Thursday) Start day with visit to Pont du Garde; afternoon biking, but not sure where -- Suggestions?
Day 8 (Friday) leave St Remy for one day somewhere closer to Marseille Airport, but where?? Thinking either back to Aix for the day/night, or having the day/night in Marseille
Day 9 (Saturday) late morning flight home from Marseille

Thanks very much for your thoughts!

StCirq

I don't know what your idea of recreational biking is, but I would sure call the bike ride from St-Rémy to Les (not Lex) Baux intense.

Not sure what you mean by "easy hike around St-Rémy." On a bike (major pain in the tuccus IMO), or on foot? If on foot, just get a town map and wander. It's not big nor is there that much to see. You could easily get out of town to see Glanum and the nearby windmill.

Are you biking to Pont du Gard? (not Garde). If so, also see Uzès.

Christina

It's pretty flat around St Remy. When you are saying you want to hike around St Remy, do you just mean walking or footpaths? Or do you mean hills/mountains?

This is a good website, here is one that is fairly easy and only several km, walk from St Remy to Le Rocher des Deux Trous.

http://www.hikideas.com/walk-le-roch...e-rock-with-t/

BarbaraF

thank you both for your comments and suggestions about wandering around St Remy, which I will now take into account. StCirq, the "lex" was a typo, the "garde," a misspelling, so now I know. What I had read about the St Remy to Les (I just typed lex again, but caught it this time) Baux bike ride gave me the impression that only the last part was steep, and overall, was pleasant. Perhaps I need to rethink, or rent an electric bike. My husband is a pretty strong seasoned cyclist, so he should be okay.

macanimals

We've stayed in and near St Remy as well as nearby Eygalieres which is a very small and nice village at the foot of the Alpilles. We've enjoyed hiking through the village and the ruins at the top of Eygalieres. The countryside is criss-crossed with paths, small roads, farms, estates, olive groves and orchards--all with nice views of the Alpilles.
No formal trails, just beautiful and interesting country which invites exploration.
Have fun.

BarbaraF

thanks very much for your recommendations macanimals

Whathello

As for the last night, I'd spend it in Marseille.

Boolanger

I second the recommendation for Glanum. Also would consider Arles as I prefer it to Avignon.

BarbaraF

thank you all very much. so much to figure out, it becomes a bit overwhelming, but I will get right to it.

zoecat

Your day 3 is a bit packed and it will be hard to enjoy all of those villages in one day. Perhaps you could move Lourmarin to Friday and enjoy their wonderful morning market and a lunch at a Lourmarin restaurant/cafe on your way to Marseille. There are also some nice walks in the surrounding countryside. Plenty of parking around the town.

That last night- I would stay in Aix and take the convenient airport express bus to catch your flight. The bus ride takes about 20 minutes and drops you at the airport doors.

tomboy

I'm curious; where is home from Marseille?

I wish we in Michigan could fly direct to Marseille or Toulouse, rather than thru CDG. Paris is nice, but I'd prefer the direct flight. I'm under the impression there are none from North America.