Days to Avoid Roussillon, Gordes, etc.
 

On our upcoming trip to Avignon, we plan to rent a car for two days for an overnight in Roussillon.

Are the any days to avoid...when things to see are closed (Mondays or Sundays for instance)?

Thanks.
ssander

What do you mean by things? Roussillon is very dependent on tourism, so I wouldn't worry about not being able to find a place to eat there on any day if you aren't picky. I stayed there about 3-4 days and don't remember any issues.

But Roussillon doesn't have museums, it's just a small village. You can always look at the ocre cliffs and walk on the paths and in the park as they are outdoors. There is no day when every restaurant is closed, but I'd probably avoid Sunday evening if that's what you are looking for mainly (restaurants), and maybe Wednesday. And if it were, you could drive elsewhere, anyway. The Comptoir des Arts is open every day (restaurant).

I think you may be expecting a bigger city, this is just a small village, there isn't that much in it. You don't go to Roussillon for some major shopping trip, for example. It doesn't have museums. And there isn't a lot of fine dining or anything like that.

These are tourist places. They will be busier on weekends than during the week, but not by much.

Thanks...that's what I thought, but I wanted some confirmation.

ssander

frankly unless very interested in markets I would avoid market days...as I recall Gordes may be Tues?...it is big and with one main road up there and the buses etc. I would avoid...but it is a nice market so depends on your interests...if during lavender season or Tour de France even more crowds...while we enjoyed Gordes the crowds did impact our visit but place is still stunning. Try to include some smaller more off the track villages too.

Hi... I'm back after a hiatus...my wife had hip surgery, so I was pretty busy. However, she has graduated from the walker to the cane and we're not going to let that stop us from going to France in September.

Here's the plan. I've already booked the air, hotels, rental car, etc...so no second-guessing please (though the car can be changed), but I'd appreciate any tips.

Day 1: arrive Nice mid-day from USA. Overnight in Nice to rest.

Day 2: afternoon train to Avignon.

Days 3-9: Avignon as a base, with day-trips to Arles, Pont du Gard, & Nimes and an overnight car-trip (2 days) to Roussillon stopping at Gordes and another village on the way/back.

Day 10: mid-morning train to back to Nice

Day 11 & 12: Nice

Day 13: fly home

ssander

You may also not want to hear this but Avignon would not be one of my choices for a base for Provence with a car. Having said that, I'm sure you will have a good time. Get the Michelin Green book.

mjs...

We're only renting the car for two days -- a one-night/two day trip to Roussillon. (Not sure yet which towns we'll go through on that but thinking of Gordes as one of them.)

Other than that we will be taking trains or bus excursions for day-trips and walking or the loop bus routes for the town.

Thanks for tip, though...all ideas are welcome.

ssander

Good thread. We'll be there in September. Lois, what villages would you suggest?

depending on whether you want to attend a market or not you might consider avoiding Gordes on Tues for example as I recall that is market day...the markets are fun but also generate more buses and traffic and crowds can be bad. Other towns have certain market days.

Lois, you said <b>Try to include some smaller more off the track villages too.</b> I was wondering which villages you suggest. thanks!

Do read "Lizette's List," set in Vichy/Roussillon at time of WWII before your trip for sure. Author Susan Vreeland. So perfect as introduction for all those places.

sorry I see I double posted...I did not think that first one worked...anyway for other villages/towns...LaCoste is a very quiet village with lots of history...not much in the way of shops but we enjoyed wandering through the streets. Also Ile sur la Sorge is a town (not hill village) and not too far from Avignon. It is very different and charming...on the river Sorge...sort of nice as after a time all the villages do start looking the same. I would include Gordes and the Abbey Senanque although I think it is at its best in lavender season...but probably beautiful all year...just outside Gordes...In Gordes there is a lovely little restaurant La Trinquette with a great view of the valley...they have some tables outside with one on the second floor has its own little terrace. It would be a nice place for lunch with a view providing it is a nice day.

I liked Roussillan even though it was touristy. I bought a wonderful painting (which I still have and love) from a artist who lives in town, or did at that time.