Comment on my itinerary
 

My wife and I will be travelling to France for 2 weeks in late September. After receiving some comments on this and other bb's we have decided against driving from Paris to Provence and back. I would appreciate any comments on our "new" itinerary(still in planning stages): Arr Paris,one night Paris, train to Avignon, 7 nights Provence(probably with rental car),train back to Paris, 6 nights Paris. I think we need to overnight the first night in Paris because of the TGV schedule. Any suggestions on this itinerary and also suggestions of where to go in Provence. Don't think we want to stay all 7 days in Avignon. <BR> <BR>Thanks, <BR>Mike in Ohio

Sounds like a very pleasant trip. <BR>You can avoid the hassles of getting into Paris and unpacking for i night by taking a TGV train direct from CDG airport to Avignon. <BR>There are trains direct to Avignon at 1004 1124 1313 1405 and 1705. and probably ealier and later also, journey time just under 4 hours. <BR>Can't help you much on Provence but I'm sure plenty of others can.

I've stayed in both Arles and St. Remy in Provence, and enjoyed both. Avignon seemed a bit too busy compared to either of those places (although it's definitely worth visiting). I think being in a more small town setting would be a nice contrast to Paris.

We always rent a house in Provence - especially nice idea if you plan to be there for 7 days. Gives you room to relax and really get to know the area (gets you out of Avignon to see the beautiful countryside, too). You can look up rentals on line at http://www.rentvillas.com/ That is how we found our rental in Provence for this summer.

While poking around in Provence, we found that Nimes and its environs has a lot to see. Several Roman buildings including a big arena, the nearby Pont du Gard aquaduct, etc. Not crowded with many tourists in September, either. You may decide to make Carcassonne a day trip via rail or car. Well worth the trip. Avignon, in our opinion, was a disappointment. Too crowded, too commercialized, too noisy. We liked market day in Arles much more.

Mike - Agree w/others who suggest not overstaying in Avignon. Renting a house or staying in one or two other, smaller towns ('real' Provence) is preferable, based on our trip last May. A search of this site should turn up lots of Provence suggestions. E-mail if you cannot find any. A rental car is a must to see the small places. My wife enjoyed Vaison la Romaine (Patricia Wells' home). Try to find a web site that recommends the best market days. Good luck. -- sc

Mike, Given your 2 weeks I would have <BR>3 destinations rather than just 2. It is <BR>an easy drive over to the Nice/Cote d' Azur from Provence and a completely new <BR>setting. I would divide it into 3 segments---5-3-5 days---and train back to Paris from Nice. In Provence, I would <BR>stay in the St.Remy area as a central <BR>location, but I also like L' Isle sur <BR>Sorgue. You will be able to see Provence <BR>in 5 days in my opinion.