we are going to Paris in October, and then on to provence for a week. So confused as to what town to use as our base. Thinking of Aix-en-Provence (staying at either Le Pigonnet or Mas d'Entremont) or St. Remy (staying at either Domaine de Valmouraine or Chateau des Alpilles) Never been to France, or Europe for that matter, but we love driving with no particular destination in mind stopping whenever something strikes us.<BR>Hate staying at multiple places, packing and unpacking. But, should we also stay i.e., in Nice to tour that area. Also Alain Ducasse's place sounds wonderful. Is that too out of the way?<BR>thanks so much to all for any help!!!

I'm not sure exactly what to say or what all you are asking -- first, I stayed at Mas d'Entremont last July for several days and recommend it highly, it's one of my favorite inns. Perhaps you've read all those posts, there were a string of them sort of on this same topic and a few about those two hotels. I think a couple of us stayed at Mas and liked it and there is one poster on here (I think her name is Julie?) who didn't think it was kept up and run well orr something; you can read those viewpoints and judge them for yourself as I think we all were fairly specific in our thoughts and reasonings. I don't agree with that, myself. Anyway, going to an Alain Ducasse restaurant would have zero priority on my itinerary, but if it's important to you, go ahead, it's supposed to be good food, but it is rather far. Definitely from St-Remy, it's about 50 mi from Aix and that could be a good single day trip (to/from there) combined with seeing the Grand Canyon (gorge) of Verdun, it's right next to it as I understand and that's a scenic area. Just don't think you can drive 50 mi in the same time you would on a main highway. I think adding Nice in might be too much if you only have a week and are spread out that much; also if you have a car, you might not want it in Nice (or need it), so that complicates that. I'll be honest that I'm not sure what the Provence countryside will be like in October, but I presume pretty nice, wouldn't that be harvest time for the vineyards? I've been in Nice in September as I recall, not October, and it was very nice weather, still fairly warm but not too hot. I don't like moving around and packing/unpacking either, it is so much more relaxing to plop down in one place, I think.

I was in Provence for a week in mid-September this year and the weather was lovely. We stayed in Aix-en-Provence, but I think St. Remy would have been better located for touring the area.<BR><BR>The wine harvest was happening then, so I think it would be over in October.<BR><BR>We took a day trip to Cassis, and it is a beautiful, pleasant town, much closer to Aix than Nice is. I'd go to Cassis again and stay a while.

It is an experience staying at Ducasse's Bastide in Moustiers(famous fayance village) eat at Les Santons.<BR>Definately "do" the Verdon, It is France's grand canyon. We loved stopping along the way inside the canyon for food and drinks to meet others.

Ellen -<BR>We are planning a similar trip to yours. We will be there approx. 9-10 days, but 2 will be travel days, so really only 8 full days.<BR><BR>We started out thinking we would do both Provence and Cote d'Azur and so many people told us we would be run ragged we decided to stay in the west and concentrate on that area.<BR><BR>We looked forever for bases and hotels, and have finally settled on Aix for a couple of days - we love cities, and want a few days to explore and "live" there. We started with Villa Gallici but it is outrageous as far as price, so have picked Mas d'entremont after Christine's recommendation. I just got the brochure, and that sealed the decision. Le Pigonnet will be 2nd choice.<BR><BR>We will spend the rest of the time in (actually near) St. Remy in Plauds de Noves - 10 km from St. Remy at La Maison - Domaine de Bournissac. If you have not checked out this mas, you might want to. It looks sublime, and the restaurant is supposed to be fabulous. I also just got their brochure, and same - sealed our decision, although the web site is pretty much the same.<BR><BR>Email me if you want further info.

We stayed at Le Pigonnet and were very pleased. The garden restaurant and pool are especially nice. We stayed in Aix on our way from Nice to Arles. I agree that it might not be as convenient for seeing a lot of the must sees in Provence.

France is wonderfully suited for touring by car, something we do every year. Expect to have a great adventure.<BR><BR>We had a nice stay at the Mas de Entrement this past September, and one of our better day trips was to the lovely hillside village of Moustiers-ste-Marie. Lunch at Alain Ducasse's was disappointing, however.<BR><BR>The Mas is a good hotel choice for Aix--it is away from the center of town [murderous traffic] and close to the major highways.<BR><BR>We flew home from Nice and spent the last night in St Paul-de-Vence, one of the most charming towns we've seen.

I, too, would like some help from some of you who have been to Provence. We are a party of 3 females who will be staying in an apartment in Pernes les Fontaine for 2 full weeks. We are trying to plan the trip, as of course, we do not want to miss any of Provence. Would like to hear from some of you who think it would be feasible for us to drive the coast to Monaco and spend 1 night. Help, Please! Thanks