HELP!!! Need itinerary advice for Sept. trip to southern France!
Jun 29th, 2005, 12:41 PM
#21
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Margot, a few years ago we stayed in Aix. Unfortunately, we were a little disappointed. It's a large city with the inherent noise and hubbub.
The Hotel le Pigonnet was convenient to walk into the town center and thus parking wasn't a problem. Exiting the city from this location was also convenient. Aix just didn't have the charm and intimacy that the smaller towns above the Cote d'Azure and the Luberon evoke.
We prefer the coastal towns of Antibes, St. Tropez and Cassis. The latter is a favorite- we're returning there for the 3rd time which is very unusual for us.
We also love St. Remy. It's a good base for Provence, including the Luberon and truly has the Provencal feel. We really enjoyed the Chateau des Alpilles and the many wonderful restaurants. We were able to walk to the village center, the Roman ruins of Glanum and the hospital where Van Gogh recovered after his self inflicted surgery. I hope this helps.
The Hotel le Pigonnet was convenient to walk into the town center and thus parking wasn't a problem. Exiting the city from this location was also convenient. Aix just didn't have the charm and intimacy that the smaller towns above the Cote d'Azure and the Luberon evoke.
We prefer the coastal towns of Antibes, St. Tropez and Cassis. The latter is a favorite- we're returning there for the 3rd time which is very unusual for us.
We also love St. Remy. It's a good base for Provence, including the Luberon and truly has the Provencal feel. We really enjoyed the Chateau des Alpilles and the many wonderful restaurants. We were able to walk to the village center, the Roman ruins of Glanum and the hospital where Van Gogh recovered after his self inflicted surgery. I hope this helps.
Jun 29th, 2005, 03:48 PM
#22
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Bonjour again - I just got back from Barne's and Noble and purchased the Michelin Green Guides to Cote d'Azur and Provence, so now I will have the tangible tools with which to look into your wonderful and thoughtful suggestions. As I will be spending the July 4th weekend at the New Jersey Riviera (otherwise known as the Jersey shore!) 8-) 
, I will have time to study all this info in more depth. In the meantime, please keep your suggestions coming, and I know I will have follow-up questions after the weekend, if not before.
Thanks so much again!
, I will have time to study all this info in more depth. In the meantime, please keep your suggestions coming, and I know I will have follow-up questions after the weekend, if not before.Thanks so much again!
Jun 29th, 2005, 08:15 PM
#23
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I went to a conference in September in Nice with my husband a couple of years ago. We stayed a few nights in Nice, walked around Nice and ate in some nice restaurants in the evening while he attended the conference. I went to some museums during the day and wandered.
We did not have a car. I used Rick Steves book and he gave very good directions on how to take the bus, etc. One day we went to VilleFrance sur Mer, took the walking tour through the TI, caught the shuttle from there to Eze and had a beautiful day.
Another day we caught the bus to St. Paul de Vence and Vence. We really enjoyed Vence.
Then we caught the train to Arles on a Saturday which also happened to be a market day. What a treat! We enjoyed our stay at Hotel Calendal but I think there are some nicer hotels as well. We so enjoyed the town with the Roman ruins and and Place du Forum where Van Gough painted and ate.
We then caught the fast train to Paris, spent a couple of days, and returned home.
If you don't want to buy the Rick Steves book, check it out at the library but do look for the most recent edition. The Michelin Green Guides are excellent for sights but RS is excellent for how to get around.
We did not have a car. I used Rick Steves book and he gave very good directions on how to take the bus, etc. One day we went to VilleFrance sur Mer, took the walking tour through the TI, caught the shuttle from there to Eze and had a beautiful day.
Another day we caught the bus to St. Paul de Vence and Vence. We really enjoyed Vence.
Then we caught the train to Arles on a Saturday which also happened to be a market day. What a treat! We enjoyed our stay at Hotel Calendal but I think there are some nicer hotels as well. We so enjoyed the town with the Roman ruins and and Place du Forum where Van Gough painted and ate.
We then caught the fast train to Paris, spent a couple of days, and returned home.
If you don't want to buy the Rick Steves book, check it out at the library but do look for the most recent edition. The Michelin Green Guides are excellent for sights but RS is excellent for how to get around.
Jun 29th, 2005, 08:40 PM
#24
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We just got back from this trip and had a fabulous time! When in Nice, don't miss Eze. It is only a few miles east of there and is the cutest hilltop town I've ever seen!
I'd break the trip up into the Nice side (Eze, Monaco, Nice, Cannes) and the Provence side (Nimes, Arles, Avignon, Gordes). You don't want to be doing day trips from Nice. It is too far. Yes get a car. Driving is really easy. The people aren't crazy and everything is really well marked.
I'd probably stay in Avignon for that side of your trip. We stayed at the Clarion, which sounds boring, but it was actually a 16th century Jesuit school and was beautiful. We tried to get into the Hotel D'Europe which was truly beautiful, but cost too much for the nights we were going to be there. We bypassed Aix en Provence because of time and rain issues, so I can't tell you if it is worth it, but Avignon and the Popes Palace are really great. And we saw a bullfight during a festival in Nimes that was awesome!
I'd break the trip up into the Nice side (Eze, Monaco, Nice, Cannes) and the Provence side (Nimes, Arles, Avignon, Gordes). You don't want to be doing day trips from Nice. It is too far. Yes get a car. Driving is really easy. The people aren't crazy and everything is really well marked.
I'd probably stay in Avignon for that side of your trip. We stayed at the Clarion, which sounds boring, but it was actually a 16th century Jesuit school and was beautiful. We tried to get into the Hotel D'Europe which was truly beautiful, but cost too much for the nights we were going to be there. We bypassed Aix en Provence because of time and rain issues, so I can't tell you if it is worth it, but Avignon and the Popes Palace are really great. And we saw a bullfight during a festival in Nimes that was awesome!
Jun 29th, 2005, 08:44 PM
#25
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Aix is not a quiet, charming village. It's a city so yes, there is noise and traffic. That said, we've driven in and out and found parking with no trouble many times. The only major disappointment we've had is the construction on the Cours Mirabeau the first time we went. That is long finished.
You will walk down the lovely Cours and be buzzed by scooters. However, you can find a seat in a sidewalk cafe and sit and enjoy the hustle and hubbub. There is abundant shopping and many good restaurants. It's fun for a day. (I wouldn't want to stay there.)
We stay halfway between Avignon and Aix at the Moulin de Vernegues. The web site is: http://www.aix-en-provence.com/mouli...ues/index2.htm
It is lovely and quiet out in the country on the N7 and centrally located for visiting nearly everything mentioned above. The staff are wonderful and there is a restaurant on site.
You can spend several days exploring in Nice. There are so many things to do there. Easy day trips are Vence and St. Paul de Vence. Be sure to visit the Foundation Maeght outside St. Paul de Vence. The Matisse Chapel in Vence is another must-see and only takes about a half an hour. It's tiny.
The hill towns are treasures as is the countryside. The Abbaye at Montmajour above Arles is impressive. If you get a chance to visit the Camargue, it is a real experience. Don't miss Arles. We prefer it to both Aix and Avignon. It's much smaller and has lots of character. BTW, there is free parking below Notre Dame and we've always found a place there.
Do get the Michelin road map if you're driving. It helps with planning too. If you need to know distances, try the Mappy web site at http://www5.mappy.com/?lang=en
You can type in the two village names and Mappy will tell you the distance and driving time and even give you directions.
Have a wonderful time.
You will walk down the lovely Cours and be buzzed by scooters. However, you can find a seat in a sidewalk cafe and sit and enjoy the hustle and hubbub. There is abundant shopping and many good restaurants. It's fun for a day. (I wouldn't want to stay there.)
We stay halfway between Avignon and Aix at the Moulin de Vernegues. The web site is: http://www.aix-en-provence.com/mouli...ues/index2.htm
It is lovely and quiet out in the country on the N7 and centrally located for visiting nearly everything mentioned above. The staff are wonderful and there is a restaurant on site.
You can spend several days exploring in Nice. There are so many things to do there. Easy day trips are Vence and St. Paul de Vence. Be sure to visit the Foundation Maeght outside St. Paul de Vence. The Matisse Chapel in Vence is another must-see and only takes about a half an hour. It's tiny.
The hill towns are treasures as is the countryside. The Abbaye at Montmajour above Arles is impressive. If you get a chance to visit the Camargue, it is a real experience. Don't miss Arles. We prefer it to both Aix and Avignon. It's much smaller and has lots of character. BTW, there is free parking below Notre Dame and we've always found a place there.
Do get the Michelin road map if you're driving. It helps with planning too. If you need to know distances, try the Mappy web site at http://www5.mappy.com/?lang=en
You can type in the two village names and Mappy will tell you the distance and driving time and even give you directions.
Have a wonderful time.
Jun 29th, 2005, 08:47 PM
#26
I prefer Avignon but did stay at the "Manoir in downtown Aix and it has it's own car parc, so we had no problem getting in or out. (avoid the breakfast served in the cloisters, it's better elswhere.) The Villa Gillci is a few doors down from Aix's best restaurant, "clos de Vilolette."
