Just back from our tenth consecutive visit to St. Remy de Provence and environs.<BR><BR>Thanks to Mimi Taylor, St. Cirq and others we visited, for the first time, Lourmarin in the Luberon, charming village, and had lunch at the "Presbytere" in Saignon, near Apt. Both great experiences as was using the TGV from Avignon to Paris. <BR><BR>This wonderful train goes 180 miles an hour and is so quiet. When we we returned last Thursday we boarded Amtrak for a family visit to Maryland. There was no comparison. The clanky, rolling Amtrak cars are an embarrassment for America when compared to the TGV.<BR><BR>We spent one night at the end of our trip in Paris at the Caron de Beaumarchais-a superb little hotel offering special personal service and amenities. Dined at L'Excuse nearby, very good.<BR><BR>Glad to help any travelers to these or other areas in France..

Ten consecutive visits? I admit to envy. We've been to Provence a few times and are completely enamored with the area.<BR><BR>Haven't been to Loumarin. Would you describe it and, also, Saignon?<BR><BR>Thanks in advance.<BR><BR>Erica

Erica:<BR>Lourmarin is also my all time favourite Luberon village. For more info check out the archives and my trip diary postings at:<BR>http://groups.yahoo.com/group/provence<BR><BR>Anthony:<BR>How about some more on your impressions and experiences?

Please tell more about your trip. What about the flood in Nimes? Did you have any problems with trains? What places have you visited? <BR>We are goin to Lyon and Provence in the middle of October.<BR>Thank you

Erica, John B. and Julia:<BR><BR>To answer your inquiries specifically and in general:<BR><BR>Lourmarin is 50 kms. from St. Remy, our base. It is hard to define it but some places just exude charm and beauty. There are a number of up-scale shops in the village. Nice places for lunch and dinner. (I am also told that this is the place that Peter Mayle has returned to under his wife's name.)<BR><BR>Saignon is a tiny village near Apt, also 50 kms from St. Remy. It is up high with a panoramic view of the valley below the Luberon. It has only one notable feature, "The Presbytere", a very nice place to dine with a 30 euro fixed menu (only). <BR><BR>We were out driving near Fontenvielle the day the deluge of rain occurred. We scurried home as the dark clouds formed. 40 kms away, near Nimes, a dike burst and 21 drowned.<BR><BR>The TGV was great! We took it from CDG to Avignon. It makes three stops on the way, one was Lyon. We returned from Avignon to Paris, Gare Lyon, direct, no stops. We rode in a doubledecker train that was very, very quiet. It goes through beautiful French countryside. All the car rental agencies are available at Avignon.<BR><BR>Now, just in general, my wife and I are in our 60's. We are confirmed francophiles. We travel modestly staying in L'Amandiere, a lovely little hotel in St. Remy. We walk in to town for dinner. We know the restaurant owners, the merchants and artists at the weekly markets, etc. When 9/11 occurred the first call we received wasfrom L'Amandiere's proprietors inquiring if we were OK. (As it happened our daughter was on, and escaped from, the 56th floor of the WTC.)<BR><BR>Everyone is different. We live in Manhattan. What attracts us are:the kindness of the people of France in general, and Provence in particular, the scenery, the cuisine, the weekly markets.<BR><BR>Next year, God wiling, we plan to return to Ireland after a 14 year absence and then back to St. Remy for our 11th straight visit. <BR><BR>You have my e-mail address if you have any other specific questions.<BR>