From mid-sept to end of month we will be staying in a old farmhouse in St Marcel d'Ardeche. Has anyone been to this area? Any recommendations on sites not to miss? What is the weather like at this time of year? Planning to make day trips but need recommendations. Is Italy a day trip? Would be willing to stay overnite in Italy any reccos?

I think you need to be a bit more specific about where St Marcel d'Ardeche is. If it is on the Ardeche river then I would not recommend day trips to Italy! Give us a bit more information. <BR>Greg <BR>

The weather in september. You will probably have fine weather with about 25 degrees C midday (about 75-80 degrees Fahrenheit). Nyons is a pearl to visit. <BR> <BR>Nils <BR>

St.Marcel D'Ardeche is near Pont St. Esprit(closest) and Orange(next Closest) <BR>

Monique-- If you'll have a car, there's lot's of things to do within easy day trips for you, in France-- the Roman aqueduct in Pont du Gard; the palace of the popes at Avignon; Roman amphitheaters at Arles and Nimes; the salt marshes of the Camargue; you can drive to the top of Mt. Ventoux. Several people I've talked to really liked Aigues Mortes, below Nimes. Going the other way, our friends who live in Ardeche took us to some of the little towns on the Ardeche River, which are gorgeous, and urged us to visit Montelimar. Lots of people like Aix-en-Provence, too. So there's plenty to do without going to Italy. If you want to go to Italy, anyway, you can get there in a day trip, but you'll spend most of your time on freeways.

dear monique, <BR> <BR>The place you will be staying at is a wonderful wild area, but very isolated. A car is a must, but the roads are mountainous. Going to Italy would mean at least a day's drive to get to the border, which is not the nicest place. Former contributor's suggestions are much wiser. If you want to experience what France's second city looks like, you can also make a day-trip to Lyon, much closer than all the Provence towns. <BR> <BR>Have fun (you'll be in the middle of chestnut season ! )

dear monique, <BR> <BR>The place you will be staying at is a wonderful wild area, but very isolated. A car is a must, but the roads are mountainous. Going to Italy would mean at least a day's drive to get to the border, which is not the nicest place. Former contributor's suggestions are much wiser. If you want to experience what France's second city looks like, you can also make a day-trip to Lyon, much closer than all the Provence towns. <BR> <BR>Have fun (you'll be in the middle of chestnut season ! )