Realize I checked out the quickroute on via michelin and when I just checked a different site realized it's more than 6 hours from St. Remy to Nice by car!<BR>1) Do you know if there's a way to Nice by train from near St. Remy?<BR>2) If I stay with the current plan and drive, do you have any suggestions about a mid point to stop over at for lunch and/or rest? <BR>We will be arriving in Nice and staying there just for that night. We leave early the next morning for home.<BR>

Pam, I think that the drive is about 2 and a half hours drive and 230-240 klms...(with the highway)<BR>I made the same search with www.viamichelin.com and maporama.com<BR><BR>What site did you tried ?

Pam, I wouldn't panic. I have my doubts about Michelin's 2h15 for the trip, but I'm sure you can make it under 6, especially if you use the autoroute and don't take the scenic route. I usually figure 1 hour/60 kilometers, just like 1 hour/60 miles, even though kilometers are shorter, roundabouts and things conspire to slow things down. This is about 250 km, so about 4 hr. driving--probably less because you are on the autoroute. Because you will be there in the middle of the summer, I wouldn't take the scenic route at all because it will be chockablock cars, sometimes stop-and-go, and you might even find yourself slowed down on the autoroute.<BR><BR>I don't know of a rest stop, but St. Maximin-la-Ste-Baume does have a hotel, basilica, ancient royal convent, and therefore might have decent amenities. We often though just stop at the places along the autoroute, and generally the food isn't bad, usually cafeteria style.

Pam, which route were you checking for that more than 6 hours time by car? It should only be between 2-3 hours via the autoroute.

Pam,<BR><BR>I do this drive quite often - I live just ten minutes south of St. Remy and I can drive from my house to the airport in Nice in two hours. Considering that you won't drive as fast as I do, you can make this drive in 2.5 to 3 hours. It might take you a bit longer in July or August over a weekend... <BR><BR>PB

You all have saved me. I was going totally bonkers thinking about this long, exhausting drive and then no time at all to relax and see Nice on our last day.<BR>I originally got directions from viamichelin and put in for the quickest route and that seemed fine. The problem came two days ago when I used a new map site from France that someone on the board suggested. They had the distance timed for more than 6 hours.<BR>It is totally possible (since the site was all in French) that this was for a scenic route.<BR>In any event, 2-3 hours will be just fine thank you and will allow us to keep our plans.<BR>Merci beaucoup!<BR>

Topping for John