First Timer to Provence
 

Would like recommendations from any fodorites out there on a special place to stay in Provence in early May - would like to experience the essence of Provence in a very limited 3 days of travel in route to Spain. Looking for a small picturesque village with bakery, and vineyards nearby to visit, and bicycles to ride through the country.

What route to Spain will you be taking? That would make a difference in terms of where to stay while you're in Provence.

Dabi -
We just returned from 2 weeks in Provence. We spent half the time in Aix and half the time just outside of a gorgeous little village called St. Saturnin. Luckily, it is not in too many guidebooks, so it's not overly touristy and the scenery is awesome. Plus, the little bakery makes an almond croissant that is truly deadly!

Two sites I like with good info on the village are:

http://www.beyond.fr/villages/stsaturnin.html

http://www.provenceweb.com/e/vauclus...t/stsatapt.htm

Hope that helps.

Underhill, we will be traveling from Geneva to Barcelona.

Are you coming down the autoroute through Valence? If so, you have lots of options, but going straight through in one day might be a bit much. One thought I had is that you could stay one night near the small town of Dieulefit, which has several bakeries (and patesseries: yum!). I would especially recommend the hotel/
restaurant Les Hospitaliers, set in the perched medieval village of Le Poét-Laval, about 8 minutes west of Dieulefit.

The next day you could head south via the olive town of Nyons and vist the vineyards around Gigondas before pulling in somewhere for the next 2 nights. One possibility in that area might be the charming village of Séguret.

Underhill, yes we will be traveling the auto route through Valence. Thank you for your suggestions.

You're welcome. Please let us know what picturesque village finally calls to you.