Any favourites? We'd like to explore the Riviera, etc. for a few days and then Avignon, St. Remy etc. for a few days. We don't mind staying in 2 different places if it makes the driving less exhausting.
We've looked at Bastide la Marseillaise and Mas de Marguerites as 2 possible places? Have any of you stayed there? Your thoughts?

Thanks in advance.

I'll put my two cents in before you get bombarded by everyone else....
I love Arles, and think it's not only small and charming but also steeped in history. I love its narrow winding alleys and its Spanish-feeling squares. Also, we were there for two days, and we were footsore from trying to get in all of Arles' sights -- if you like Roman ruins, plan to spend several days roaming Arles and the surrounding area.

ttt

Arles is lovely, but if you want to be more centrally located, I'd choose St. Remy because of its' ease of being able to get in/out with simple N,E,S,W roads off the center ring of the town.

Alot depends on when you'll be visiting. Most of the towns in Provence are crowded during the Summer months so to pick one over another - you'll still have crowds to deal with.

And while Arles has lots of history and charming streets, because of this Arles along with Avignon are very crowded with tourists. There's history all over Provence - the Romans trekked over the entire area. There are amphitheatres and ruines in Orange and Nimes as well.

Granted St. Remy can be crowded, but the sites of interest are spread out around the city. Glanum (Roman) and Les Antiques are South as is Arles and The Camarque; the Luberon towns are East; Avignon, Orange & Chat.du Pape are North; the Pont du Gard, Nimes and Uzes are West.

As far as the hotels you list, am unfamiliar and you don't mention in which towns they're located. Nor do you indicate how many days you plan to spend in the Provence area.

Thanks Sandi.
We're staying in Provence for about a week... we're trying to split up our stay between two places... one on the eastern side near Barjols (http://www.avignon-et-provence.com/b...e/gb/acces.htm) and the other near St. Remy and Les Baux (http://www.avignon-et-provence.com/b...s/gb/acces.htm). Well be there in the 1st week of October... should be less busy at that time, I imagine.

You should be safe. Alot of places close by early October.Barjols I have missed, but intend to go there in September, hopefully to see the largest plane tree in France(love the bark of these trees in that camoflage pattern) 40 feet in cir. that casts its shadow over the most famous of Barjols 25 fountains,, the vast, moss covered "Champignon"in the "tiny" Place Capitane Vincens. Great restaurants in and near les Baux, one of our favs is on the outskirts. Les Imnerts, Mas le Toureton ( I hope I spelled it correctly, someone jump in if not). The famous Ousteau, the Taven de Riboto and so many more. Avignon has so many great eateries, my fav is Heilly Lucculas, Christion Eteinne, le Veille Fountain, Le Bain Marie, missed Woollomooloo, suppose to be a fun place to eat.

Heilly is wonderul and I found Bain Marie very hip and confortable.

Thanks for the tips on eateries... really helpful.
Looking forward to the trip... we have 7 weeks in Italy and France for our honeymoon... I'm sure it will be great

La Bastide de Marie in Menerbes was fabulous! The food is unbelievable and breakfast and lunch or dinner are included. If that is out of the budgret, I would choose somewhere in St. Remy...charming.

We stayed at the Marie last year, wasn't that the most incredible breakfast you have ever seen??

Cigalechanta, I think you may be referring to Mas de Tourteron in tiny Les Imberts near Gordes. The well-known chef is a woman; Elizabeth is her first name?

And we've both failed to mention Mas de la Cure Bourse!

yes, yes, grandmere. Elizebeth Bourgois or something like that! I mentioned the mas on another provence tread the same day, thinking readers would read all the three posts that were close to each other but they must have sunk fast.
The Regalido in Fontveille is another I like and the mas du Pastre, mas de Aigret.

I concur with the prior recommendations of St. Remy. It is absolutely charming and centrally located for day trips to the entire region. I also highly recommend staying at Domaine de Valmouraine, which is located outside of town on a small road that leads to Les Baux. The rooms, grounds, and restaurant are all wonderful.