Paris, Provence and Cote d'Azur
 

I am heading to Paris, Provence and Cote d'Azur with my husband and 6 year old son in July and would love suggestions on what towns are best for a family to explore and where to base our stay. We want to stay in the countryside - think lavendar fields and plenty of room for my son to run and play - and drive our rental car to various interesting sites and towns. Can anyone suggest hotels as well? Thinking 4 star in the $300 -$400 range. Are there any hotels with children's programs?

I have read a lot about Stu Dudley in this forum and his Provence/Cote d'Azur itinerary. Does anyone have a copy - it sounds fabulous!

Thank you for your help!!

Tymommy

Provence is a large area, encompassing several distinct regions. You need to sit down with a guidebook or two and figure out if you want to be in the Bouches-du-Rhône, the Lubéron, the Côte d'Azur, or where...any guidebook will focus on what towns offer what.

You also don't say how much time you have, which is crucial.

French hotels are much into "children's programs."

Your budget is way more than you'll need to spend in the area, though of course you could.

I am in the same boat Tymommy - and what StCirq says is too true. I have been reading and reading there are so many options, it's kind of daunting.

Would love to know what you come up with.

Thanks for your reply!

You're right, Provence is large and I find it hard to narrow down even after reading my guidebooks as it all seems lovely. That said, Luberon, Mougins, Grasse, St. Paul De Vence appeal. We arrive in Paris 6/29 and take the TGV to Provence 7/1 and will stay a week before we return to Paris for a few days then return to the States 7/11.

What areas are your favorites?

We love the Nice region. Since Mougins, Grasse, and St-Paul-de-Vence appeal to you, that would be a good area in which to base yourselves. Be warned that July is high tourist season; you'll need to get lodgings arranged yesterday.

The Lubéron will be swarming with tourists and is far enough away from Nice and environs to require an overnight.