I've been down with a Provencal or air france flu and am just today among the living. I thought I'd add some things to my original trip report.

I was given a copy of Secret Provence on my way to Paris. This small book outlines a variety of off the beaten track things. We
did go to Notre Dame des Luminares(in Luminares) which is a very small church with an over the top crypt. It holds a statue of the Black Madonna as well as a piece of the veil of Mary Magdalen. This church is the source of miracles "petit Lourdes". That night I had a seemingly unending dream Da Vinci Codesque(I neither read the book and couldn't watch the movie).

The town museum in Arles is definitely worth a visit. We were there on a free day. There is a great supply of Provencal artifacts including Mistral's cradle. There are diaromas protraying provencal life.

The Wednesday Market in Arles was really lots of junk. I'd opt for the St Remy Market on Wednesday and/or the Uzes Saturday market. We of course hit Isle sur la Sorgue's market again. I came away with some old postcards and some old key chains. We parked behind the Spar market having been given this tip on our last trip when we stayed at Mas Cure Bourse.

I went in search of santons and found the perfect one in the shop just off the main square. It was of Malachi and quite spectacular. Unfortunately it was 265 euros.
I did find two santons later in the trip, one of a gypsy and one of a fish monger. I line our living room mantle with cedar boughs in December and assemble the santons, votives and a small Camargue cross. This year I also have some acorns I brought back.
It always makes me remember Provence.

This trip was really more poking about as our days unfolded. I realized we just scratched yet another level of Provence.
I'm reading to go back.

And where did you stay? Like it?

Mind sharing your top 3 (or how many you like) favourite cities/towns to help me prepare for a trip next spring?

Sniffling on Bowen with a Roman cold...

I thought the Arles market was on Saturdays.

In Provence we stayed in Arles at Le Calendal and loved it. It is a fine 3 star right near the arena. We found Arles easy to get in and out of. We had a top floor room with a terrace overlooking the arena for $102 euros/noc. Staff speaks English and is immensely helpful.


Our next four nights were spend at Le Ferme de la Huppe just outside Gordes. I cannot rave enough about this place.
Our room(one of 10) was nicely done and had an immense, by any standards, bathroom. Breakfast was included and included French press coffee, fresh oj, and a basket of homebaked croissants, artisam bread(toasted and not), butter and a different homemade confiture each morning. One can order things like eggs for an additional cost. I had scrambled eggs one morning for 5 euros. They were the best eggs I have ever eaten.
Our room was $120 euros/noc. The ferme also has a lovely restaurant and the chef is quite inspired. One gets a 5 course menu for $45 euros. (The dining room is closed Wednesdays and I think Thursdays.

St Cirq~Wednesday and Saturday are market days in Arles.