Our first trip to Provence will be based in les Baux for 4 days. Have gotten some helpful ideas from this site but am trying to decide on the above. Any help greatly appreciated.

I'm not sure what the question is... do you want to know about these places for day trips, or as other places to stay ?<BR><BR>As day trips.... if you're only here in Provence for four days you'll have plenty to see in the area without driving to Cassis (from Les Baux this drive will take you about an hour and a half.<BR><BR>In the four days you can easily visit the Camargue (I recommend Aigues Mortes and vicinity), Arles and Avignon as well as the Pont du Gard, Uzes and some of the villages of the Luberon (Roussillon, the Abbaye de Senanque, l'Isle sur la Sorgue, etc.)<BR><BR>PB

Thanks for the advice. Yes, I was speaking of day trips. Will take your info to heart. Merci...........

Sorry to offer contrary advice if you've made up your mind from the last post, but I love Cassis and think you might enjoy it also. Depends a great deal on how important water and seashore is to you. Cassis is one of the most picturesque little harbors on the coast and the calanques are a unique natural site. Your other destinations are pretty landlocked so a day trip to Cassis would provide not only the beauty/fun of the place itself, but also some contrast.

Julie, thanks for your input. I think a lovely little boat ride might be just the thing.........

This past May/June we spent 12 nites in Provence. The first week in a B&B/mas outside of Tarascon (about halfway between Arles and Avignon (both of which we went to, with Avignon being the preferred choice), 4 nites in Cassis, and 1 nite in Marseilles. The following are some experiences that stand out:<BR>1. a day trip to Chateau Neuf du Pape: wine tasting, visiting vineyards, lunch at the high end of town with a view that was trully outstanding.<BR>2. Rousillon: the 'red' town that epitomizes 19th century Provence, with art/pottery stores, quiet side streets, and wonderful views.<BR>3. the Pont du Gard: just an old bridge??? No, a incredible architectural feat/sight, that we almost didn't bother with, but was something that we definitely recommend.<BR>4. Gordes: a midieval looking town. The best aspect was to pull off the side of the road about 2/3 of a mile before entering the town. It looks like an ancient painting.<BR>5. Les Baux: the history, the views, the feel of how difficult life centuries ago must have been like. Early morning is best time.<BR>6. Cassis: views of the sea, lunch along the harbor, the 1-2 hour boat trip to view the Calanques.<BR><BR>Also, St.Remy open market (huge!), lunch in Uzes, and a number of small towns to walk the streets, visit an old church, take in the views. <BR>We took a 2 hour Jeep ride with a great driver in the Camargue. It was enjoyable, but would not make it part of a trip that wasn't at least 8-10 days long. There are so many other expeiences to be had. <BR>Thanks for letting me reminisce a bit about our recent visit there. Have a great time.

I'm not sure whether you intend to pick one place amongst the four you mentionned or whether you intend to pick two places, one being Cassis or Camargue, the other Arles or Avignon.<BR><BR>Honnestly I don't think you could really go wrong with any of these places. My opinion will be very subjective.<BR><BR>I would choose Arles over Avignon because I find it has more of a "typical provence little town" athmosphere, while Avignon is a more busy town. And there's quite a lot of different things worth seeing for such a little town. I would highly recommand both Arles and Avignon, anyway.<BR><BR>I tend to think that the Camargue is overrated as a natural park. I didn't find it very impressive. But Aigue-Mortes is certainly worth a visit, indeed. The walled town is as authentic as you can get (as opposed to Carcassone, for instance...and much less overrun by tourists). Also the Calanques are more beautiful than the coast west of Marseille.<BR><BR>If you intend to pick two places, I would choose Arles (and visit Aigue-Mortes from there), then Cassis and the Calanques.

All Right, I have to ask. I've always wondered. How do you correctly pronounce Aigues Mortes? Thanks.

&lt;&lt;....pronounce Aigues Mortes? ??<BR><BR>I'm not the greatest at these written pronounciation things, but here goes:<BR><BR>AIG (rather like egg - hard g) <BR><BR>Mohrt (like the shortened version of Mortimer)<BR><BR>PB<BR>

Jamie,<BR>I didn't mean to imply that Cassis wasn't worth a visit ( I love it there and often drive over for lunch)..but it seemed like a lot of travel for a visit when there's so much to see in this area. I live just outside Les Baux, so if I can answer any questions, just let me know - I use a real email address here)<BR><BR>Patricia<BR><BR>