We're planning to celebrate our 35th anniversary with a trip to Provence/Cote d'Azur at the end of the June into the first week of July (about 16 days). Have done some preliminary research and this is what we're thinking... flying into Nice on a Wed, spending a few days in that area and then renting a car and driving up to a lovely (yet to be found) Sat-Sat gite rental somewhere in the Luberon. After that we'll head down to Aix/Marseilles area for a few nights before catching our flight back from Marseilles. So, my questions:
1. Generally, does this sound like a good plan? We want to see as many areas as possible during our time in Provence (i.e., Arles, Avignon, St. Remy, Pont du Gard, Luberon villages, lavender fields, a vineyard or two) but at the same time have some leisurely time to enjoy the area and "village life".
2. Where should we focus our gite search? Lourmarin? Gordes? Roussillon? We would like to be somewhere near some shops, cafes, etc. that feels more "authentic" and not super-touristy. Also concerned about drives out of the area for day trips -- is the terrain difficult/very hilly? We're ok with driving an hour or two, but don't want to return at night on a treacherous or difficult route. Based on this, are there areas we should avoid as we choose a place to base ourselves for the week?
3. To visit both areas, would it be better to stay Aix or Marseilles at the end of our trip?

Merci beaucoup!

1. Sure. Seems like you will only be in Provence for 1 week. You might not get to see everything you want to see in just 1 week (with some leisurly time) - so start now to set some priorities. We stayed in a Gite in the Luberon this past June. We reserved it in Dec 2012 - more than 1 1/2 years in advance. Friends are staying in the same gite this fall, and when they tried to reserve it this past November for late Sept 2015 - it was fully booked from May to end of Sept - so they changed their itinerary to go a week later. If your trip is for 2015 - better hurry - I suspect you won't find many good gites available for last June/early July.

2. Focus on anything that has availability if your trip is this year. If it is 2016, Gordes, Bonnieux, Menerbes, Roussillon, St Saturnin are nice villages - although Gordes & Rousillon can get rathar touristy. IMO, Lourmarin is a little too far away from the major sites in Provence - although the village is charming.

3. I don't understand this question. Which "both areas"? What do you plan on visiting from either Aix or Marseilles?

Stu Dudley

Thanks, Stu, and thanks again for sending your detailed itinerary -- it was very thorough and helped to get me this far!
Sorry about my confusing question (which, unfortunately, illustrates my lack of clarity in general about the area). What I meant was that if we want to see both Aix and Marseilles, which would be the better city to stay in of the two? Now I'm wondering if four nights for both of those is too much and perhaps we should try for more time staying in the Luberon...
I have noticed that rentals for our week are few and far between, but did see one in Lourmarin that looked nice. I understand that it's farther from the sights; will the drive to and from there be particularly difficult or treacherous?

The drive to and from Lourmarin will get old VERY fast. We go to Friday market from St. Saturnin les Apt and it covers some very winding, narrow roads for a good distance just before you get into Lourmarin. I really dislike the ride, and I am not ever driving it. AND I live in a very mountainous area here in US.

Not sure they have any room, but try:
http://www.accommodationinprovence.com/

The gites may be fully booked, but they have a chambre d'hote that is lovely and it may be available.

From St. Sat. you can easily visit either Aix or Marseille as a day trip.

We spent 3 night in Marseille before our flight home and enjoyed it.

We did a similar trip in Sept of 2012 -
http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...ugh-france.cfm

See my list of places that are easily visited from St. Sat on this post:

http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...e-planning.cfm

Agree with Deb about the drive from Bonnieux over the Combe de Lourmarin to Lourmarin. My wife does the driving & hates that drive - especially at night.

I prefer Aix over Marseille - so I would stay there. However, use www.viamichelin.com to determine driving times and consider visiting Aix as a day trip from the Luberon and then spending your last 2 nights in Marseille (without a car).

Stu Dudley

The drive from The Luberon to Aix is less time than the drive to Marseille, hence the day trip possibility. But it is certainly doable.

When we stayed the 3 nights in Marseille, we did not have a car. Used metro to bus station and took bus to airport, easy peasy.

Cassis is a lovely spot too, a boat ride in the calanques is a lovely way to spend a few hours.

If you really want to see "Arles, Avignon, St. Remy, Pont du Gard, Luberon villages, lavender fields, a vineyard or two" then you might want to consider a base more around St Remy. We stayed there for 5 days a couple years ago (same time of year) and were able to cover all that you mention. But St Remy is right in the middle of those towns and the villages you discussing above are all quite a distance from Arles, Avignon, St Remy and Pont du Gard. And if you can't find a gite, there are lots of nice B&Bs and small hotels.

Here's my trip report, you might get some sense of how much you can reasonably do in a day, distances, etc. - http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...swiss-alps.cfm

And the driving is quite flat.

elizrg ......just noticing how similar your trip is to ours. It is our 30th anniversary, we are flying into Nice in early July, staying a few days, renting a car and driving north for a week at a gite near Vaison La Romaine, then flying out from Marsailles. We started looking at gites in October and rented one in November. Happy anniversary and hope you enjoy your trip.

Jim, Happy Anniversary to you too! Vaison La Romaine looks beautiful -- have a wonderful trip.

Thanks all for your valuable input, particularly saving us from difficult drives in and out of Lourmarin.

Deb and Isabel, your trip reports were fantastic and full of great info -- very helpful and inspiring! Deb, can you give me an idea of where the gite you stayed in St. Saturin les Apt is in proximity to the town? Is it walkable to restaurants and shops?

Thanks again!

It is about a 15 minutes scenic stroll into the village on a quiet lane. A pretty walk with views of the valley to the left and the chateau to the right.