I simply adore this forum and everybody's wisdom and experience...We want to stay in St. Remy and use it as a base for Provence, and I've noticed that so many Fodorites stay in places outside the town. How easy is it to park in St. Remy if we stay outside? (We don't wake up extremely early, so being the first there wouldn't work for us.) Thanks for any and all advice.

We stayed outside last October and went into town on market day (wednesday) and another time. Market day is more challenging to find a place to park, but we're from NY so just pray to the parking goddess, get there early on market day(or late), or wear good walking shoes and be willing to walk a bit and you'll be fine. Make sure you go to Joel Durand for chocolates, Le Petit Duc for sweets and across the street to the olive oil store. All truly delightful!!!!

Parking in St. Remy is not very difficult. There are spaces that open up quite frequetly all around the ring road - and if you don't find one on your first pass just go around again.

During market day there is a large lot very cloe to the city center with just a few minutes walk into town. There is also a pay lot at the office de tourism.

Yes, parking can be challenging (... but not impossible) in St Remy during the busy summer months. Last July, we stayed at the Hotel Sous Les Figuiers which has parking for its guests. Not only is it a lovely hotel with gardens & a pool, it's a mere 5 minute walk into St Remy.

We too found it easy to find a parking place this past May. It was a large pay lot close to a "carousel" if I remember correctly. We saw several parking opportunities actually. It shouldn't be a problem...just keep circling as the above poster recommended...early arrival is always good too.

We just returned from St. Remy last week and it was an ideal location to explore Provence.

We followed a P sign and parked about 2 long blocks from town (I'm sorry I can't be more explicit) and we always found a spot.

You're going to love St. Remy - full of charm and the market on Wednesday is wonderful.

Two restaurants we loved - Jardin de Frederic and Auberge de la Reine Jeanne. Excellent and we never had reservations.

Oh yes - and Joel Durand's chocolates are divine.

Enjoy. Ellie

We always park in the large lot opposite the church...and a street with a marvelous ice-cream shop.

Jardin de Frederic: Very, very good. Loved the lamb.

As for parking, as indicated above, not a problem. We usually parked int he pay lot south of the center of town just because it was easy to do and the expense was not that great.

another vote for Auberge la Reine Jeanne...ate there twice, 12 years apart...and it's still a fine place for lunch or dinner.

Another very good resto, a mom and son type, only about six tables, is on a small pedestrian side street off the loop, called
"La Gaulois:..And if you visit the Roman ruins (Glanum), just a bit south of town, there is a good dining choice at the Villa Glanum (Hotel) down the road, across the highway from the "Van Gogh" Sanitarium (where he spent his last year). Beautiful grounds, and a large plot of lavendar plants.

By the way, we found the Villa Glanum to be a pretty decent and quite reasonable lodging choice...good sized bedrooms and bathrooms, attached cottage-style...sitting areas on the well kept grounds and a very nice pool..buffet style breakfasts. (Link)

http://www.villaglanum.com/uk/

Stu T.

Stu T.

Oh, great suggestions and a giant
"whew." This opens up so many opportunities for us, not having to stay in town. Great. Thanks, everybody.

p,s, Trevas:

If you're so inlcined you can walk into town from the Villa Glanum...about 20 minutes. The VG has a massive parking area...but if you drive into St. R. , I agree with the above posters...parking lots in three different locations that I recall...just follow the P's.
Stu T.

We just got back from St. Remy. We had no problem parking there except on Wednesday (market day) so we just drove back up to our hotel and took a 10-minute walk back to town. The only reason we'd taken the car in the first place was so that we could go on to someplace else from there.

Are you going to be there on Wednesday? We love markets and went to many wonderful ones but I particularly liked St. Remy's. It just seemed to have a bit more of a 'local flavour' for me.

Went to Joel Durand Chocolates -- they give you samples to taste! -- and brought home a few bars of unusual flavours. I have to say, though, that both of us thought the lavender tasted a little like chocolate soap!

Oh, and Les Baux is a fascinating day trip from St. Remy. Take the audio tour of the castle.

We always parked in the parking lot at the tourist information centre - we never had a problem finding a spot, and the pay machine was broken so it didn't cost us anything.

Last November we stayed at the Hotel Gonoud right in the center of St. Remy and we loved it. They have secured parking about one block away. On market day, we just walked out of the hotel front door and were right in the middle of the market. The rooms were great. They also have a pool. We used St. Remy as a base and did market day in the surrounding towns. Each morning we got our car and explored in a different direction. The best thing about staying in town is that you can walk to all of the restaurants and then take a nice evening stroll back to your hotel.

Sorry - correct hotel spelling in Hotel Gounod.

We were om St. Remy in May for a couple of weeks. It's a great base for visiting other towns in the area.

Parking is easy at the TI next to the Police Station.....the ring road is pretty full, but as someone else said, the cars are coming and leaving all the time.

We also stayed at Villa Glanum and loved it. Very reasonable rates and we would certainly go there again.

There are many restaurants and cafes all around the ring road and in courtyards and down side streets.

Have fun in S. Remy!!

Trevas
and Maizy...yes, we would certainly stay there again (Villa Glanum) too. The staff and owner are very helpful and kind.
Stu T.

Wonderful suggestions. We're making it a point to be there for market day. My sister took some incredible photographs of the market, blew them up and they line the walls of her house...so I wouldn't miss market day for anything. I knew if I posted here, I'd start getting that counting the days feeling.....it's wonderful the way the planning contributes so much to the whole trip. I'd never ever leave it to a travel agent -- it eliminates so much of the fun. Thanks again to everybody. I can't wait...

Maizy: it's a great bae for visiting other towns in the area.

Would you include the northern towns (Vaison-la-Romaine, Seguret, etc) or eastern Luberon villages (Loumarin, Saignon etc) in this? I am trying to decide whether to do the whole area Ventoux/Camargue/Aix area from just one base (St Remy) or whether to split our time between St Remy & Vaison (& maybe even a 3rd one like Goult or Loumarin).