So a few weeks ago we were making plans for a late May trip to Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Park and just as we were about to make the reservations, we started to rethink our plans. Now we’re thinking about a trip to Provence (a total 180 from the American West, I know), but we don’t know where to start when it comes to planning a possible trip to Provence. A few things: we want to rent a gite and stay in one location for the week that we’ll be there (most likely, 5/23 – 5/30). Two in our group speak French. From reviewing some previous posts, we have these sites/towns on our list so far: Pont du Gard (late afternoon), Uzés, St. Remy (on market day?), Arles, Sénanque Abbey. We are not interested in having our days pre-planned by the hour. We like a mix of scheduled activities or sights with enough leeway to stop at a charming town and have a drink at a café. But at the moment, we are a bit overwhelmed by the amount of information on Provence and don’t know where to start. Help please!

first Stu Dudly is king of the Gites. He always rents one
I'm sure he will post. Get yourself a Provence guide book because each area is so different. Some prefer the Alpilles,
some the Luberon. I love them both. I don't consider the Cote D'Azur the true Provence.

Right, we weren't planning on visiting the Cote d'Azur, but might fly into Nice because the airfare from NY to Nice is very reasonable at the moment.

Do you have my 27 page itinerary for Provence & Cote d'Azur? If not, e-mail me at [email protected] & I'll attach a copy to the reply e-mail.

Like cigalechanta stated, we've stayed in Gites - 16 weeks worth in Provence & 16 weeks in the Cote d'Azur. However, I don't divulge any specifics about the Gites we stay in - there is already too much competition for them. If you e-mail me, I'll also attach a Gite write-up. It's good that someone in your group speaks French, because that will help in renting them.

You had better get busy - we're getting ready to contact the Vaucluse Gites-des-France office to reserve our Gite for 2010.

In May, you should be able to get a nice Gite in a good location - 3 bedrooms/2 baths, private pool, kitchen/DR/LR, garden for around 750E or less. However, this late in the year the better ones may have already been reserved.

Stu Dudley

That's 750E per week - not day.

Stu Dudley

An easy trip from Nice to St. Remy or the Luberon from Nice, if your airfare is great from there.

It is a bit late for renting in May. Stu may come up with some help for you. I ame taking the TGV down for 3 nights during my month stay in Paris. I have a personal favorite spot where I will be staying; www.riboto-de-taven.fr

Do get a Michelin Green Guide for Provence and do some reading. Wherever you locate, you will be able to cover the various areas and sights to see.

Enjoy your planning, but get things put together soon!!

Joan

If you fly into Nice, spend at least a day there--you'll be glad you did, at least if you like the sea. The views of the Mediterranean from the Promenade des Anglais are worth the trip alone.

Hi trek,

>Now we’re thinking about a trip to Provence (a total 180 from the American West, I know).<

Not exactly. Ther is a section near Rustrel known as "Colorado de Provence"
http://www.provence-luberon-news.com...strel-Colorado

http://www.panoramio.com/photo/3664825

They have cowboys down in the Camarague, also.

We found the following places on VRBO. Does anyone have any input on them?

http://www.vrbo.com/29900

http://www.vrbo.com/123528

http://www.vrbo.com/171412

http://www.vrbo.com/134182

http://www.vrbo.com/86267

Also: these are just a few places I found by doing some quick research. As you can see, we can't decide between a village house or one in the country.

Any input?

I have stayed and visited the area on several occasions with and without groups as large as 12. Purely from a location standpoint, I would prefer your last two listed--Vaison la Romaine and St Remy. I would not stay in those you listed outside of Aix if I wanted to visit the sites you have listed. The St Remy location (86267) would be the most convenient but also the most $--Vaison la Romaine apartment looks great and I have previously considered it (134182). You are in a very busy period and I would act fast--good luck. Paul

I have visited the Provence area twice. It is my idea of a perfect place--all of it. From the places you have mentioned you wish to visit in your one week visit, Uzes is in a perfect location. It is across the Rhone from Avignon, in the Gard area. It is very much in the area of outstanding Roman ruins--Pont du Gard, Nimes, Arles, Glanum etc. Uzes itself is a wonderfully restored medieval town with a wonderful town center, restaurants, shops and two wonderful markets on Wednesday and Saturday. I found our rental on VRBO. Good luck in your quest for a rental. As others have said, you need to reserve very soon.