I'd like some opinions on using Aix vs. Avignon as a base for exploring Provence. We had looked at St. Remy, but it seem awfully small. We like being able to come back after day trips to an area that has activity - where we can walk the street, go to a cafe, find a restaurant, do some shopping, et., etc. Both of these areas seem nice from what I have read, but I don't have a sense of how large they are or the "feel" of them. We would be staying 4 nights and taking day trips - Aix, Avignon, St-Remy, Arles. <BR> <BR>We have also tentatively chosen St. Paul de Vence as our base in Cote d'Azur. Does this make sense? Nice sounded nice, but perhaps too large. Again, we would stay 4 nights in St. Paul. <BR> <BR>Given our itinerary, it appears to make the most sense to fly into Nice, and out of Marseille (from Boston). Does anyone know if that is more expensive than just doing a roundtrip into/out of Nice? Would make it more enjoyable not to have the (?2-hr.) drive back to Nice to go home after our stay in Provence. <BR> <BR>Any suggestions appreciated. I'm still learning the area. It's larger than I thought.

I have stayed in both, and greatly prefer staying in Aix. Last time we stayed there for a week, taking day trips nearly every day. We loved sitting on the Cours Mirabeau late every afternoon and then wandering around to find a place for dinner -- the choices are almost limitless. They also have a wonderful street market, I believe two days a week. We also love staying in Nice. Have always planned to venture to St. Paul de Vence, but never seem to get around to it. Although Nice is quite large, its Central core of the Promenade Anglais, the old town, the harbour, and the central area as far as the train station are all very walkable and enjoyable.

I'v ebeen to both Aix and Avignon and I'd also prefer Aix to Avignon as a base. Avignon is beautiful but full of tourists compared to natives. Also, I personally wasn't in love with Nice; but then again, I was there in August when everything was totally mobbed, and we were happy to escape to about 40 miles away from the coastline.

Been to both but I had the opposite experience: <BR> <BR> Aix was jammed with local tourists elbow to elbow in those narrow alleys & cours Mirabeau. At times we couldn't even walk side by side (There wasn't any special event). Avignon was crowded too but felt more open with room to breathe because of the lay out. I do like them both. <BR> <BR>St Paul is a small pedestrian only village full of charm with chic tourist shops & boutiques. My concern for you is limited parking. You can only park outside the gate where all the tourists park their cars. Check with the hotel if there is any special reserved parking area. <BR> <BR>We've stayed once in Nice (practical but hectic) and another time in Monte Carlo which we prefer in terms of cleanliness & atmosphere. I thought of staying in one of the coastal towns next time. Hotel Welcome in Villefranche sur Mer or Hotel Juana in Juan Les Pins suppose to have good value. <BR> <BR> <BR>

I like both of them and have stayed in both at various times. Both are about the same size, I think (about 100K population) and both have business and reasons of their own for being, tourism is not their main business. I also felt that Aix is more touristy than Avignon, at least in the part where you are likely to be (around Cours Mirabeau), partly because there aren't as many known tourist attractions as in Avignon, so the tourists just clog up the streets more and wander around without much to do but eat and shop and lay about. Avignon has several wonderful museums (the Petit Palais museum has one of the best Renaissance art collections I've seen), and you have the palace, the bridge, cathedral, interesting walks, and the beautiful park on the bluff, etc. I also think Aix is somewhat more claustrophic in the main central area than Avignon, and Avignon has better rail connections. In short, both would be ok for shopping, cafes, etc and for 4 nights it probably doesn't matter much, but given your desired day trips, I'd stay in Avignon. As far as flying, I've flown out of both cities and both are convenient; only the airline can tell you the price difference, but I suspect they would be almost the same price and not choosing the same city coming and going should itself be irrelevant to the cost (it is on Air France, I know)--ie, there is no addon amount just for having diff. cities, they have many flights to both so don't care. I definitely would not go back to Nice for a flight when you can go to Marseille.

Debbie, <BR> <BR>We have stayed in St.Remy each year for many years. It is a small (about 5,000 population), charming village. It is centrally located. We visit Avignon and Aix during our visits. We also have visited the Pont du Gard and interesting towns and villages near by.Its Wednesday maket, from 8 to 1 is reputed to be one of the best in Provence. <BR> <BR>You did not indicate when your trip is to take place. If it is late June, early July I would definitely recommend St. Remy as it is near the mountains and the great physical environment, e.g. Abbey Senanque, etc. <BR> <BR>If I had to choose between your other two cities I would choose Aix. It is a university town with concerts, arts and craft, etc. The TGV now serves both. <BR> <BR>The Palais du Papes in Avignon is always noted as a tour site but it is a gutted shell, wrecked during the French Revolution. There is a top film festival, classical music/ballet and other cultural offerings during the summer. <BR> <BR>If I can be of any further help do not hesitate to contact me. <BR> <BR>

Hi Debbie, I stayed in both Aix and Avignon this past May. I find myself in the minority in preferring Avignon as opposed to Aix as a base. I did not get to St. Remy (next time) so I can't offer an opinion on it. I think what I disliked about Avignon, and this will probably be ok when you go, was that they were digging up the Cours Mirabeau and it was so dusty that you really needed a mask to walk near it. It was horrid. They have been working on that road forever it seems. It is a nice walking town, but I felt more at home in Avignon. I have this thing for walled cities I think!! To each his own!! PS..I think 4 nights in St Paul is too long..I would look at other suggestions.

i second the st. remy suggestion. we made it to the wed. market-it was really wonderful, the best we've been to and the place where we bought almost all of the things we brought back. <BR> <BR>avignon is definitely less touristy than aix-which is a bit much on the tourist front. depends what you're looking for. avignon had some more interesting historical sites.

interesting how some prefer Aix and some Avignon -- just wanted to say that one of the last posts from Nancy saying that what she disliked about Avignon was Cours Mirabeau...was a mistake as Cours Mirabeau is in Aix (I was there in July and I think they are finished tearing it up now, it was very crowded though). They do have a TGV station in Aix now but I think regular rail trips to other places (ie, Nimes, Arles) are still more convenient from Avignon as from Aix you have to go thru Marseille to get anywhere by regular rail. I think you have about 50/50 split, pretty usual. I myself was underwhelmed by St Remy, too small and dull and no rail station, but lots of others like it, obviously. It is also very touristy now, though, in high season--you can't even find a place to park hardly.

Me too, I prefer Avignon.

I just came back from Avignon and Aix. I definitely would make my base in Aix. There is much more to do. I am sorry we didn't spend more time. As for St Paul de Vence, I think 4 days is too much.

Christina, Opps...must have been sleeping during my last posting, saying that Cours Mirabeau was in Avignon...guess I had better read my posting next time before I send it....It is funny how different people feel about the two towns..can't go wrong with any of them really...

St. Paul de Vence is lovely but you don't need as much time there. [If interested in modern art, the Fondation Maecht (sp?) is wonderful.] Nice would be far easier and a much more central base. Nice has much to offer in terms of museums, walking, the old town, seafront and restaurants. Plus, it is easy to get just about anywhere along the coast, and many places by train. In the off season, Nice is much calmer, quieter and cleaner than it is in the summer. <BR> <BR>As for Aix or Avignon, it's a toss up for me, though others have given their opinions. Aix does have an incredible variety of just about every ethnic cuisine available if that is of interest to you.

Hi Debbiie, <BR>To answer the queries about whether or not Cours Mirabeau is still "under construction" in Aix. It is. We were there the second week of October and could only see from postcards how beautiful the street should be. In fact, we stayed in a lovely three star on Cours Mirabeau and were awakened by construction workers! Aix had great restaurants and shops, but Avignon has the Palais des Pape, the bridge and evokes a real feeling of life in the middle ages.

Amy - Just curious as to what types of "things" you bought at the Wed. market in St. Remy. Did you have to bargain for your purchases? THANKS

I would reconsider Provence full stop - I think it's had its day. <BR> <BR>I went a couple of years back for the first time. I read all the guide books and was totally enthused, thinking we would have a fantastic holiday spent discovering the "charm" of the place. But when we got there I could hardly spot a real French person among the tourists, or hear a word of French among the English, German, Japanese etc. <BR> <BR>I have never seen so many Americans outside of America before - it was unreal. The whole place has basically sold its soul to tourism - certainly in places like Arles and Aix, the Camargue and some of the places on coast like Aigues-Mortes the whole place is totally given over to tourist shops, cafes and restaurants. I have never experienced anything like it before. <BR> <BR>I also had some of the worst service imaginable while I was there. You are just another tourist to these people. If you want to be one of the anoraked, tour-guide-toting masses go to Provence. If you want a holiday discovering the real France, go to Normandy or Brittany instead. In fact, go anywhere in that country except Provence. <BR> <BR>H

&lt;&lt; You are just another tourist to these people. If you want to be one of the anoraked, tour-guide-toting masses go to Provence. If you want a holiday discovering the real France, go to Normandy or Brittany instead. In fact, go anywhere in that country except Provence. &gt;&gt; <BR> <BR>Obviously you didn't enjoy your trip to Provence. Sorry to hear that. But all of Provence isn't swarming with 'guide-book-toting' tourists... and frankly I've never seen a tourist wearing an anorak during tourist 'season'. <BR> <BR>Provence is just as much the 'real' France as Brittany and Normandy... too bad you didn't dig a little deeper and find it. <BR> <BR>PB <BR> <BR>

I have to disagree with H. We have never met an American except those who now live there. Not a one in the Camargue, we tend not to go to towns where tours go or "We speak English" menus. Your experience is yours. That is what is great about travel. You get what you bring to it.