Driving through Provence
 

We will be in Provence September 11 - 19, staying in Aigues Morte. We have rented acar for 4 days, knowing we want to see Aix and Arles for sure but nothing definite planned beyond that. I'm sure Avignon should be on the list. Any suggested itineraries? This is our first trip to Provence.

Mercie Beaucoup! (Those are 2 of the approx. 15 words I know <g>)

Some of my favorite Provencal towns, in additional to the one you mentioned, are:
- Apt and Isle-sur-la-Sorgue (for their markets; Sat & Sun respectively)
- Bonnieux
- Lacoste - Marquis de Sade's ruined castle
- Uzes (Sunday flower market - you can have lunch in a cafe amidst the flowers); Ducal palace
- Pont du Gard (Roman aquaduct) near Avignon
- Senaque Abbey (near Gourdes) great Cistercian abbey you can tour
- Roussillon with the ochre rocks you can climb on
- St-Remy - lovely town with Roman ruins (Glanum) just outside
- Les Baux - seat of Courtly Love
- Ventabrun (just outside Aix) beautiful salmon-colored houses with Provencal blue shutters

Drive through the Dentelles de Montmirail if you have time and visit Beaumes-de-Venise.

adrienne

In addition to Aix, Arles and Avignon, I would add Les Baux, and Pont du Gard (short stop)and St.Remy.

And I would add Gordes to the above list! I've never been to Aix, but from what I've heard about it, on a 4 day trip, I'm not sure I'd go there. Many would disagree, i'm sure.

well since you are staying in the Camargue, don't waste too mush time other places IF YOU WILL RETURN TO ANOTHER AREA another time. "The Camargue"restaurant is great there with the gypsi kings wannabees.But do do the wild life tour there to see the white wild horses, pink flamingos and the wild black bulls

There's a beach in Beaudec that has a great restaurant, Chez Juju, You pick your fish from a tank and they cook it on an open fire. This is nothing but a shacklike place so dress very casual.

If you can locate the restaurant Les Tellines - in the middle of nowhere in the Camargue (this is something of a mystery challenge for you) - you may have the best meal of your life. I'm sure you'll appreciate the golden lab named Idée who will whisk the napkins off your lap the minute you are finished with dessert and take them off to the kitchen to be cleaned.

Hi

Aigues Mortes is a great base for touring.

You have Languedoc, Camargue, Provence and Rousillon within easy reach. Possible but long day trips would include Cote d'Azur (and San Remo) or Andorra, Costa Brava.

I'd suggest Uzes en route to Pont du Gard; Nimes and Montpellier.

I've got some photos of the area here : http://tlp.netfirms.com/photogall.htm

Peter
http://tlp.netfirms.com

The Telline is in Gageron

actually, it's route de Gageron, villeneuve. The Telline is in great bird watching terrain.

I hope you've looked at a map. If not get the Michelin #245 (yellow) of Provence.

Take note of where all these places are and then decide how much driving you want to do in any given day.

Arles is easy, as is Montpellier, Nimes, Uzes, Pont du Gard, Avignon, some of the Luberon villages (Apt is way at the end of the Luberon). You can even go to Carcassonne in Languedoc (but you need another map or get instructions from hotel - it's easy from AM) Also a must are St. Remy and Les Baux are doable. But forget Aix, it's way at the opposite end of Provence (about 80-90 miles one way).

Surprisingly you can cover good distances either on the Peage (super highway) and/or National Roads, but you'll have to start out by 8:30am, latest. Luckily the days will still be long with sunset late.

After checking the map, allocate towns in a given area for a particular day - don't go jumping all over the place or you'll need a vacation after your vacation. Happy travels.

P.S. Aigues Mortes was one of our favorites.

we are considering a similar trip. What is the attraction of the Camarque? From the description in Fodor's it did not sound very inviting unless you like to watch birds.

Well, for one thing, the sight of those wild white horses and wild black bulls, and it's the first time I saw pink flamingoes. There are few houses. The Natural Regional Parc has has access unrstricted to 210,000 acres.
As for the birds, the view over the lagoons and marshlandsteeming with wading birds is spectacular.
For those who prefer dining and entertainment, you'll find that in Aigues-Mortes and Les-Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer.

Viva La France! we are just back from 4 weeks in Europe and yes it was hot. We spent 10 days in Provence and I would suggest having a car the whole time. We saw wild horses and pink flamingoes in the Camargue without going on one of those sad looking safari trips. The beach is beautiful!!! My kids loved their day at the beach while I shopped in Sts. Maries-de-la-Mer. We drove through the old town of Avignon but could not stop because there was absolutely no place to park. You will have better luck in Sept. We loved the smaller towns and the exploring medieval villages (that is why you need a car).
Learn more French before you go. People were so nice to us and even more friendly in France because I speak French. None of us spoke Italian so when we were in Italy we became just more American tourists. Learn to say "Bonjour Madame (monsieur)" and "Merci Madame, bonne journee" (not sure on the spelling?). Say that to the shop owners like the French do and you will get a better response. The French are very polite. You will notice how Americans just barge into the shops and don't acknowlege the people.
Cigalechanta - your name brings back the sounds of Provence!
Adrienne's town advice is perfect.

St Cirq, dont leave us hanging like that. I will be in Provence for a week in March 2004 with a car. Please give directions to the restaurant Les Tellines.

ts2671:
You must call and make reservations at La Telline - they only have five tables.
During the summer months, they don't cook on the fireplace indoors.
04.90.97.01.75

Directions to La Telline restaurant.
easist way is from the A54 highway heading in the direction of Nimes -
just after crossing the Rhone river at Arles take the exit marked for Les Saintes Maries de la Mar ( Les Stes. on the sign. I never look at the number of the exit, so can't help you there).
Go three quarters of the way around the circle when you exit - keep following signs for Les Stes. There is one more circle - go one quarter of the way around that one. You'll be on the D570.
Just after you pass a large what looks like a factory building on your right (they process rice there), start looking for the D36 turnoff to your left. Sign will say "Les Stes.".
Turn left and go for about 5 kms. and turn right on the D36b. It's something like 8 kms down on your left.


Another fabulous restaurant is on the D36 - just before Le Sambuc (13 kms from the turnoff from the D570).
La Chassagnette. A large old sheep farm, turned into a gorgeous large restaurant. THey grow all of their own vegetables organically. I had dinner there the other evening and the food was wonderful.
04 90 97 26 96 and fax: 04 90 97 26 95

Patricia