In April, we will take our first trip to France. We are planning to take the TGV to Dijon, rent a car, and spend two nights in Beaune on the way to Provence. We would like to visit some wineries around Beaune, explore the countryside, and eat some great food in the area-Would appreciate some recommendations.

Also, any recommendations for St. Remy in Provence. We plan to use this town as a base. Any suggestions for accomodations and restaurants? We will be in Provence for five nights. Thanks All!

What is your price range for hotels?

In Beaune we always stay at the Hotel Grillon. It's about a kilometer from the center of town but there is adequate parking both at the hotel and just outside the old town wall. Don't know how much you want to pay but the Grillon is in the 60-80 euro range and the rooms are very nice. Mme. Grillon speaks very good English. Their phone and Fax numbers follow:

Tel: +33 (0)3.80.22.44.25
Fax: +33 (0)3.80.24.94.89

They have a web site at http://www.hotel-grillon.fr/ or they can be accessed via the Logis de France web site by typing Grillon into the search feature.

They have a cute little bar in the basement too, and Mme. Grillon makes the best kir we've ever had. They are lovely people. The rooms in the newest section are the largest so you might want to ask for one of those.

Enjoy your trip.

Sal, we won't have a car in Beaune. On the rough map this looks close to the train station. Walking distance? How is the walk into the center of town, particularly at night? A road? Sidewalks? Lighted?

Underhill~ Our price range would be 75 Euros for a accomodations in Beaune. Thanks for any suggestions!

Walk into town is pretty easy. We walk a lot so perhaps I'm not the person to ask. It's about one kilometer (6 tenths of a mile). There are sidewalks. I'm not sure about lights. We've gone in the summer and it stays light very late. I suspect there are lights, but you could call the hotel and ask. I always carry a little flashlight just in case . . . like visiting the dungeon at Chinon!

Hope you have a great trip.

Thanks, Sal. I did email them yesterday and got a nice email back already saying, yes there are sidewalks. I forgot about being light till 10 or later at the first of July. I was surprised they said the rail station was also a kilometer away. On their little map it looks like it's right next door.

I had booked at LeCedre, but saving over $200 for the two nights looks like another worthwhile savings in my new quest for falling dollar alternatives. Is the breakfast a continental or more? Worth the 14 euro for two?

And mystar, after hijacking your post, I apologize for ignoring you. Having researched this somewhat before, I'm very pleasantly surprised by this recommendation for the Grillon. It looks like a wonderful place for the money!