StuDudley

>>Can you please help in suggesting must do things in provence.<<

There are about 20 pages of "things in Provence" in the itinerary I offered in my first post. You should be able to find a few that you might like to do.

Stu Dudley

PalenQ

Avignon is a great base for folks with a car - Research these astounding places: Les Beaux-de-Provence; St-Remy-de-Provence; Pont du Gard; the Camargue; Arles; Uzes to start - those are the consensus main sites within easy striking distance of Avignon - many like to stay in smaller towns like St-Remy-de-Provence.

fxrajesh

Thanks guys for your replies.

I have taken car on rent but dont know whether GPS is enough for route directions. Mr. Stu Dudley had suggested some green maps from Michellin. Is that enough?

I am picking up car from Avignon TGV station at 11.30 am and staying at Robion for 2 nights . I am returning car at Nice Airport after 5 days which means 2 nights stay at Robion Provence and 3 nights stay at Nice.

Can someone please decide proper sight seeing itinerary for me by car for 5 days as mentioned above with route ideas which will really help me a lot. I am already nervous about France roads, driving, routes etc. Your maximum assistance will help. Hardly 3 days to go. I am really worried about provence and riveria itinerary . Its still not organized as yet.

Thanks .

PalenQ

Mr. Stu Dudley had suggested some green maps from Michellin. Is that enough?>

that would be yellow maps - green guides are for sightseeing - for driving the yellow Michelin maps sold in every gas station or newsstand are great.

StuDudley

In the itinerary I hope you received from me, do the Luberon drive for 1 full day. Then either:

- the Cote du Rhone winegrowing area around Vaison, Seguret & the Dentelles Mountains.

- St Remy, Les Baux, and the Alpilles

On the way to Nice, do the driving route in the itinerary from Nice/St Paul to Provence - in reverse.

In Nice, do St Paul, Vence, Tourettes sur Loup, and the Loup loop.

1-2 days for Nice & perhaps Antibes by train or Villefranche by bus.

Details are in the itinerary.

Actually, the maps you'll need are Green "zoom" maps from Michelin. #113 for Provence & #115 for the area around Nice. For the drive from Provence to Nice you'll need #114 also - unless you decide to skip this scenic drive & take the Autoroute instead..

Stu Dudley

fxrajesh

Thank you so much Mr. Stu Dudley

I will buy 113, 114 and 115 Michelin Maps from gas station for provence and riveria.

Do you need International Driving License in France for car rental ? Or will Indian driving license do?

Please reply ASAP else tomorrow I will have to take out IDL. Hardly any time left.

Also, do you suggest some economy local tours for Provence and Nice like hop on hop off bus?
Regards,

fxrajesh

dwdvagamundo

The consensus on this board is that an International Driving Permit is needed to drive in France. We always get them, but have never had to show one, either to the rental company or to the police. Given the small cost, I'd get one as insurance.

I don't recommend tours for Provence--the roads are very good and you can easily drive yourself everywhere. Can't speak for Nice.

StuDudley

The new French law requires a translation of your drivers license. On my California license - there is really not much to translate. Blue eyes = Bleu, Red hair = Rouge, California = Californie.

We rented 3 cars last year, and no rental agency wanted to see any International Drivers License - but they did want to see my Calif License. We have never been stopped by any police.

I'm guessing - but if a police officer with a grudge stopped me & had a problem with my license and wanted to spend/waste time "writing me up" - he/she might just do it.

On the other hand, your license might not "read" as easily as my Calif license does - so if it is easy for you to get a IDL - do so.

Stu Dudley

annhig

We just rented a car in France [a week ago] and our normal UK credit-card style parts of our driving licences were accepted with no question. no mention of a translation.

We used IGN as well as Michelin maps - both were fine. There are lots of road signs - look out for the road numbers and a major destination in the direction you want to go in, and you should be fine.

make sure that you take it slowly at first, and do remember to stop regularly - a 5 minute break is very helpful just to get your breath especially if you are the only driver.