Hi, all,

A friend is looking for recommendations on lodging in or near Avignon. Will likely have a rental car to explore the area. Hoping to stay under 125 Euros. Your suggestions and recommendations are appreciated.

Any restaurant recommendations in or near Avignon are also appreciated. Thanks.

John H.

Just across the river in Villeneuve-les-Avignon is a quaint and friendly 2 star hotel-- Hotel l'Atelier, d' Atelier, or de l'Atelier-whatever! The little village itself is picturesque and is home to the very upscale hotel, Le Prieure. There are charming little shops and restaurants.

I stayed one night at the Hotel D'Europe but long ago (under that price)
Just outside of Avignon is the L'Ille de la Barthelasse. There are two great
B&Bs "l'Anastasy," and "La Ferme Jamet."
That trip I was there almost three weeks and ate at The Hote's Veille Fontaine, Le Bain Marie, Café des Artistes, Christian Etienne, Hiély-Luculous. I love seafood but during my weeks in August, the Le Port Des Barques was closed. Except for that one night at the Europe(I stayed there to be near my departing TGV in the morn)
I stayed across the bridge in the village at
villeneurve-Lez-Avignon at the beautiful
Le Prieuré that I discovered when I read, "Mistral's Daughter."

I would also recommend Villeneuve les Avignon as a lovely place to stay. I also stayed at the Priere - beautiful, with wonderful food. I had a darling little room, which was quite reasonably priced. I was there about 2 days before I picked up my car, and it was easy to get into Avignon on the bus (fairly near that hotel).

SUE, Did you stay in the old building in that oval room

Mimi, I just started to answer this but realized you were addressing Sue4, I believe?

Sue

We're in thhis TOGETHER

Mimi, yes, it was the oval room. I remember that you had stayed there in that room. So pretty and cozy - I loved it! It was a wonderful hotel.

didnt the toilet surprise you?

Thanks so muchfor your suggestions. I will pass this information along to my friend. Any additional thoughts are welcome.

John H.

John, on the subject of restaurants, we have twice dined at Le Petit Bedon on rue Joseph Vermet in Avignon. The dining room was inviting, the reception warm, and the food (traditional provencal cuisine) excellent. They have some wonderful Côtes du Rhône on the wine list; I can still recollect our first taste of their Sablet.

We have stayed in two hotels in Avignon: De l'Horloge and Garlande. Neither are high end, so your friend would be able to get a room at either for less than 125 euros. We had a very large room in the

Well, that was exciting ... I pushed the wrong button.

So, to continue, we had a large room in the Hotel de l'Horloge. The downside was that it was directly above Place de l'Horloge, and we found it a bit noisy. The Garlande is on a very quiet side street. The rooms are small and a bit worn, but it is comfortable.

Like Grandmere, we've stayed at L'Atelier in Villeneuve-lès-Avignon. We had a beautiful room at the back of the hotel, with large french doors opening on a garden. It was mid-October and we found the room quite damp, a problem we solved by turning on the electric heating. I'm not sure of the present rates, but I know we paid less than 125 euros in 2003.

We dined at St-André in Villeneuve-lés-Avignon. It was one of the few Michelin-recommended restaurants we have ever visited where we were rather disappointed.

Anselm