Our plans are shaping up for our trip in June. We are now planning to arrive in Paris on a Thurs., catch the TGV to Dijon where we will spend 3 nights. Then on to Lyon for 2 to 3 nights for a conference. Now I need help.

At this point we will rent a car. My husband originally wanted to spend the rest of the time (approximately 9-10 days) in the Alps region. After questioning him on exactly what he expected to see in France, we concluded that he likes villages (yeahhh) rather than hiking. We have been to Nice, Vence, St. Paul, and Arles. I would like to see more of Provence/Luberon.

So, we rent a car in Lyon and spend 3 days looking at mountains and then head down to the Luberon/Provence area (or head directly there and skip the mountains).

I would like to see Aix but where/what else? Definitely want to see some lavendar and take some pictures. Where to base? Stu was kind enough to send me his Gite "instruction" sheet so now I'm going over to the gite site to explore what is available but wondering if I am too late. Suggetions for gites, B&B's, or hotels appreciated. (When we stayed in Arles, we stayed at Hotel Calendal and liked the quaint and slow atmosphere. Small well kept rooms do not bother us.)

Thank you in advance for your ideas/help.

Annecy would be a nice destination from Lyon, then an overnight stop on the way down south.

Hi Ronda!
ttt

Yes, Annecy is on my list of possibilities as is Chamonix, or head down to Grenoble and over to Briacon.

Hi coco - I did make a mistake in my post that should be FOUR nights in Dijon. Looking forward to meeting you

I didn't even notice! Pompon bear (sorry no smiley bear) and I are waiting for you ><

Briancon has a charming fortified old town.

We spent 6 days driving through the Alps on the way from Provence to Alsace a couple of years ago. It was spectacular, but we thought the "highlight" of the trip was the majestic Alps - not the villages in the Alps. I mention this just to suggest that you don't set your sights on going from village to village, but instead find the most scenic routes (the Michelin Green Guide is quite useful in doing this) and use these scenic routes/cols/lookouts to plan your itinerary. We did this in mid June, and many of the hotels were not open yet in some of the more remote regions of the Alps.

Stu Dudley

Annecy is absolutely delightful, and a drive around the lake is a good thing to do. It's a very scenic area, and from Annecy you can head due south to Provence.

Underhill, Ronda loves polar bears as well ;-)
Did you get the second serie of pictures? (just to make sure)

Stu, that was my thought exactly.

Great idea Underhill; that's what I was planning but the Briacon area seems to be a priority for Dan because he wants to check out the ski areas for a future winter trip. (Grandmere, I have read your post on the area).

Coco, glad you didn't notice because I awoke in the night saying DARN I gotta fix that before Coco sees it. Je suis désolé mais cet ours ressemble un chat ! Yes, I received the pictures, merci beaucoup!

Ronda I KNOW the bear looks like a cat! (I said sorry for the smiley bear because there is no smiley bear on fodors)Do you think I should have put a dog or a cow then? ;-)

Actually the question regarding the bear pictures was for Underhill, as you answered me by email already...
Is it time for the apéritif in California?

>>Is it time for the apéritif in California?<<

Nope - not yet noon here.

Stu Dudley

CoCo & StuDudley - It's always time for an aperitif somewhere!

Ronda:

Glad to see you will be discovering Dijon and meeting CoCo. You will have a delightful time there.

I will get to meet the famous Coco end of March. I will stay in Dijon 3 days before heading to the language program in Noves as reported by Letour. After that it will be Villefranche-sur-Mer. I am looking at hotel Patricia. Has anyone stayed there and care to comment before I contact them? Thanks.

wow toutes mes amies sont là! what a nice meeting!
it is 10pm, how about a late drink then?
I'm delighted to see you all here!

Coco,

It is ALWAYS coctail time somewhere in the world, so I am always ready to join you and other Fodorites in toasting almost ANYTHING!

Georgiegirl,

Having met Corinne in Dijon, I can guarantee you will love her, love her apartment, and have a wonderful time. She, and Dijon, are delightful!

Bonsoir Dick!
Unfortunately I'm afraid they went back to work/lunch/shopping/dinner..:-s

I thought it would be girls only but I'm ending up having a glass with you!
Cheers!

It is a pity I have to wait so long because I get up when you're all deep asleep! and the action starts when I'm going to bed![-(
good night!

It looks like my thread got hijacked! It is now cafe creme time!