Need advice on French itinerary, specifically Riviera vs Provence
 

Please help me decide between five nights Paris and four nights near Nice (doing day trips along the coast), or four nights Paris, three nights Nice, and two nights Avignon. This will be my first trip to France and although I'd like to see as much as possible, I don't want to cram too much in. What would youdo?

It all depends on what appeals to your senses. Me, I eschew the Riviera - can't take all that glitz and modernity in a country I go to to enjoy the way life used to be. Of your two options, I'd choose the latter and enjoy a couple of nights "inland," though Avignon wouldn't be my first choice.

StCirq: What would be your first choice for a city to stay in for two nts in Provence?

Jackie: Does it have to be a city? To get some flavor of Provence, I'd stay in or near St-R&eacute;my and spend the two days visiting Glanum, Les Baux, Arles, and the Pont du Gard. If you had time, a trip out through the Camargue to Aigues-Mortes.<BR><BR>You could also base yourself in Arles and do essentially the same things.

YOu don't say how you are getting between these places, I'm assuming by train? That will take up some of your time, of course, about a half day each trip. I think for a first taste of France, I would choose the latter itinerary, as if you go by train you'll have to be going through Avignon, anyway. I like Avignon myself, more than Nice -- but I don't like Riviera ambience that much, either. If you are going by public transportation and not renting a car, I think that's a pretty good itinerary myself for a quick tour.

I prefer Provence to the Riviera.

There is no question - Provence!!!

Here's a little contrarian opinion: I found Provence incredibly boring. After you've seen one hill town, you've seen them all! As you can see, I'm not a country gal. I much prefer the vitality and prettiness of the Riviera. The Provencal landscape is rather austere, compared to the natural opulence of the Riviera--azure sea, magenta bougainvilla, the beach and colorful houses all surrounded by <BR>beautiful mountains. All things considered though, I think the 4nights Paris, 4 nights Nice and 2 nights Avignon sounds just fine. After all, you should see Provence at least once!