I would really appreciate some suggestions from anyone who has traveled in Provence. I have to spend a couple of days in Aix-en-Provence for work, but after that I'll have a couple of days free before I have to return to Paris to fly home. I've considered either going to Avignon, or heading in the other direction and spending the time in Nice. I'll be traveling by train. I really can't decide between the two areas. Which would you choose?

Hello Lise, <BR> <BR>You will be real close to Avignon, the "La Cité des Papes" I would recommend that you visit Avignon and stay in the area of Provence. I also love Nice, but it could easily be another wonderful trip for you. Avignon is really part of Provence and Nice is the "Côte d'Azur" or the what we usually think of as the Riviera. <BR> <BR>What ever you choose, you will love France. <BR> <BR>I wish you a wonderful time. <BR> <BR>Sincerely, <BR> <BR>Randall Smith

Here's another strong vote for Avignon. Nice was OK but the sights just weren't that unique and many were just plain disappointing. Avignon was fabulous with the Palais des Papes, Rocher des Doms and the Rhone. We also enjoyed the evening cafe life and the fine oriental/French cuisine in a Thai restaurant while being serenaded on the street by a Spanish guitarist. Parking was daunting at first but we followed signs to the Mercure Hotel, pulled into their underground parking and registered without a fuss.

Hi Lise. Tough call, and I'm sure you'd enjoy either city/area. I love Nice, and the surrounding area, so that's the place I'd choose. <BR> <BR>

Hi Lisa, <BR>Both are wonderful places and if you have only 1 or 2 days perhaps Avignon might be more interesting. But unless you have a car there are really no good public transport trips out of Avignon (the half day tours offered are terribly rushed and frustrating)if you want to see other places in Provence. You could go by train to Arles but otherwise you are really confined in Avignon unless you have a car. Nice, by contrast, has buses that go everywhere on the Cote d"azure. So depends on your time and interests.

Here's another vote for Avignon. I come from Hawaii, where we have beaches, so Nice was not very special to me. Also, I couldn't find restaurants in Nice that were as good as in Avignon.

Either would be okay, but I would probably choose Avignon, also. It's smaller than Nice, although not a small city, they have a wonderful small fine arts museum and great restaurants. A few days is enough to spend there, but there is public transportation to other areas if you want, there is a public bus station next to the train station, and there are buses elsewhere nearby (and I don't mean packaged 1/2 day tours)--you can take the public bus to St-Remy for example, as I've done it, as well as Aix or Isle-sur-la-Sorgue, Cavaillon, etc. You can also go by train to Nimes, Arles and Isle sur-la-Sorgue, I think, as well as Aix-en-Provence. However, there is enough to see in Avignon for a couple days so you probably won't want to (same for Nice). It really depends, if you like that beachy Riviera resort feeling, go to Nice (even though the beach isn't great, but there's that feeling). If you like museums, interesting buildings, history, etc and a smaller city, go to Avignon.

I enjoyed both very much, so I can appreciate what a difficult decision this is, but I found Nice lovely, relaxing, the museums are stimulating & I did enjoy the beach very much. <BR>Bon Voygae in any event! <BR>BC

You didn't ask, but I'll complicate matters by also suggesting Monaco or Menton, rather than Nice. Avignon is very nice and there's a lot of history to be viewed, but Avignon possesses some similarities with Aix, unlike the towns on the Cote d'Azur which have quite different "feels" than the inland towns. Menton would actually be my choice, because it's compact and convenient to Monaco (or Nice) by train, somewhat less inundated by tourists (and more affordable) than Nice or Avignon, and has a very distinctive Mediterranean feel. But you can't go wrong any way you choose.

Maybe I shouldn't vote since I haven't been to Nice, but we were in Avignon last November and loved it. We took the train from Paris and spent four nights in Avignon. We picked up our rental car at the train station in Avignon and explored several of the Provence towns. It is a beautiful area, and we LOVED the food!

Thanks to everyone who responded for the great advice. I've decided to spend the extra days in Avignon. Thanks again.

I've think you've made a wise choice. We were in both in '97 and while I enjoyed Nice, Avignon is extraodinary. I hope you have a chance to visit the Pont du Gard, which I felt was one of the high points.

Go to Avignon; it is far more interesting than Nice. The only nice thing about Nice is shopping at Louis Vuitton and Hermes, staying at the Negresco Hotel, and parading up and down the Promenade des Anglaise in your new Prada dress. The beach in Nice is all pebbles. You can't get comfortable on it. I had to have three deck chairs brought from the Negresco until I was able to sit in a restful position. Plus, they didn't even have any Bollinger Champagne at the Beach Club. OHH!! Avignon is so sweet. The Palace of the Popes is so interesting. I accidentally sat in a pope's chair and the entire security staff came running because they said it was a national treasure. I just thought it was an ordinary chair. It certainly didn't look like something a pope would sit in, but it was like 700 years ago and they didn't have luxury like we have now. Anyway, you can go to the Benizet Bridge (sp?) and wonder around the cute little shops and they have some terrific restaurants there. But, if you like poking around little antique shops for things, you WILL LOVE Avignon. There is this fabric store there where all the salesmen are gay and they are so sweet and handsome. Before I knew it I bought pillows, curtains, and a beadspread. Now if you do decide to go to Nice, you can always go to St Paul de Vence, which has a gourmet restaurant and also pokey little shops. Marc Chagall, the painter, is buried here. And from Nice you can also go to Monte Carlo, which is fabulous in itself. But, be warned. If you go to Monte you might blow a fortune at Chanel or Cartier. These stores are irresistable. But, darling, whatever you do, you will certainly love Provence. It is magical. Love, John G