geetika

This is a follow-up to my thread from a few days back, I've now decided to cut the UK out of the mix and keep our June 2018 trip to just France. We have a total of 18 days, landing in CDG around 6.30 on Day 1 (June 9); my sister needs to be in Reading by the evening of Day 18 (June 26), so this will effectively give us about 16 days. I thought we'd take the TGV to Avignon on Day 1 and rent a car for the next 18 days, driving up to Bourgogne and returning the car at Dijon when we take the train back to CDG for my return flight. PalenQ had suggested that my sister could take the TGV to connect to the Eurostar to London, so that should work well too. Of course we could do the trip the other way round too, doesn't really matter, I just thought we'd first go south and then work our way up north.

We want to spend about 5 days in Bourgogne based near Beaune, mainly seeing the Cote d'Or area, with the rest of the time in Provence and the Rhone region. I think we'd need two bases there, maybe a week near St Remy and 3-4 days near Chateauneuf-du-Pape. Or would we be able to cover the Rhone from St Remy, do you suggest some other base? How about l'Isle sur la Sorgue? We don't plan on going down to the Cote d'Azur, having been there several times before.

We'll be 4/5 adults and are looking for a self catering gite, most definitely for the week in Provence and preferably for the other places too, but first I'd like to get the itinerary figured out. We're interested in history, culture, old towns, natural sights and of course wine!

Please let me know what you think of my plan, I look forward to your comments and input. Am hoping StuDudley, PalenQ and some of the regulars on the France board will chip in with their suggestions.

Thanks in advance!

PalenQ

maybe a week near St Remy and 3-4 days near Chateauneuf-du-Pape. Or would we be able to cover the Rhone from St Remy, do you suggest some other base?>

Those places are very close to each other.

Michael

For me the more scenic part of Burgundy is the northern part, while I consider Beaune to be more in the southern part. I would choose a more northern base for touring the province.

To whet your appetite:

https://www.flickr.com/photos/mksfca...755059630/show

The pictures are all labeled and can be referenced on a map.

geetika

<<Those places are very close to each other.>>

PalenQ, you're saying we'd be able to tour the Rhone area also from St Remy? How about the Luberon, we'd like to see some of the hillside villages there too.

Michael, where would you suggest as a base instead of Beaune? Sens, Chalons-sur-Saone?

Thanks again

Michael

Auxerre might be a good location.

northfork280

When we went to Burgundy last year, we split up our time. We stayed in Beaune, Dijon, and an area just outside of Auxerre for a few days each. It was a nice way to see the different areas of the region. You may want to choose just one base in Burgundy if you're doing more traveling beyond the region. Personally, I preferred Beaune, the Cote de Beaune and the Cote de Nuits to the area closer to Auxerre.

Here's a link to my trip report:
http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...h-burgundy.cfm

geetika

What a wonderful TR northfork, thanks so much for giving me the link, have bookmarked it for our trip. I too would tend to stay closer Beaune than Auxerre, making day trips to see the different places. Taking a wine tour is a great idea, that way we won’t need a designated driver and all of us can sample the wines!

Thanks a ton!

PalenQ

PalenQ, you're saying we'd be able to tour the Rhone area also from St Remy? How about the Luberon, we'd like to see some of the hillside villages there too.>

All I'm saying is that the two places are close -19 miles apart Google says. Not saying not to stay in two different places just for variety but very possble from one it seems.

macanimals

I think you are on the right track to consider two locations but our experience suggests while you can always drive further afield, its best to decide just what your activities are going to be. It sounds like wine is a target and while Chateauneuf de Pape is a goal, it really isn't that appealing outside of their product and even then reservations and research as to which wineries you are interested in is a must. The "Rhone" area of Vacqueyras, Gigondas, Rasteau and Cairanne is much more accessible but locating in Vaison la Romaine or one of the other villages like Seguret or Sablet allows for a CdP visit as well as many wineries of note near the Dentelles.
St Remy is good as it is fairly easy to access Arles, Les Baux, Avignon and even the Pont du Gard as well as villages along the Alpilles. The Luberon and its villages are in another direction about 40-60 mins away.
I'lsle Sur la Morgue would be closer to both the Luberon and the "Rhone" villages.

tom_mn

L'Isle Sur la Sorgue is a better central location for all sights. Or substitute as a northern 2nd location in Provence Vaison-la-Romaine.

fuzzbucket

Here's a good website:
https://en.gites-de-france.com

geetika

Thanks guys! Ideally I'd like to stay in the same place for the 10 odd days we have in Provence. I too have heard that apart from the wine Chateauneuf-du-Pape isn't particularly scenic, unlike St Remy or some of the other towns. Was wondering if we should look for a base a little north of Avignon, near Orange maybe? Am also seriously looking at l'Isle sur la Sorgue, though it also depends on what kind of accommodation I find.

We're okay with driving a little further on a couple of days, days will be long and we can stay out late, so that won't be an issue. Apart from some winery visits, Arles, Orange, Point du Gard, Luberon, Avignon, etc are also on the agenda.

Fuzzbucket, I've found the gites de France site extremely useful in the past, I've also often got useful information from the regional tourist offices.

Any suggestions for a particular gite, someplace you've stayed at perhaps, both near Beaune and in Provence? We'll need 3 bedrooms with 2 baths, a rural location will also be fine as we'll have a car.

Thanks everybody, please keep the comments coming!

PalenQ

Don't forget a half-day in Les Baux and at Pont du Gard! And the St-Remy asylum where van Gogh committed himself after slicing his ear off in nearby Arles - he painted a lot once there and copies of his pictures are set up where he painted them -bucolic scenes around the asylum. Also in Arles - a really neat larger town worth a look.

Take a drive to the nearby Camargue and take a pony ride into the swamp to see its famed flamigos and wild ponies. We just stopped by a 'Mas' with signs out front without formality to do this.

geetika

PalenQ, the St Remy asylum is high on my list! IMO Van Gogh's paintings of the garden from his room in the asylum are some of the most heart-wrenching in the VG museum in Amsterdam.

Thanks for reminding me about the Camargue, DH & I went there and many of these little towns when we lived in Paris in the mid-80s, am really looking forward to going back again...

Underhill

Châteauneuf-du-Pape is fine for a quick visit, but not the best place to stay. You could consider staying in Villeneuve-lès-Avignon, right across from the big city but easier to get into and out of if you don't want an urban environment.

If you're willing to stay a bit above Orange, I highly recommend the Drôme Provençale. Lots to see, off the beaten tourist path too, and the region includes the olive town of Nyons (be sure to visit the olive co-op) and the Roman village of Vaison-la-Romaine. We're very fond of the small hotel/restaurant Les Hospitaliers, in Le Poët-Laval, near Dieulefit. Le Poët-Laval is a former stronghold of the Knights of Malta, and the village has been lovingly restored. The owners were art dealers in Paris and have quite a nice collection.

StCirq

If you make it to the Camargue, be sure to eat at La Telline:

http://www.restaurantlatelline.fr/re...nt-a30057.html

geetika

Underhill, we might visit parts of the Drome Provencale
9have read about Poet-Laval) but I think it'll be a little too far north for our purposes. Someone suggested Uzes too, which is a really lovely little town, also maybe Isle sur la Sorgue.

StCirq, thanks for the tip, will come back with a separate thread in the new year asking for restaurant recommendations!

morvegil

Check out my trip report. I basically just did the same thing!!

But anyways, St.Remy is fine. You can get anywhere from there in under an hour reasonably. Also St.Remy has a HUGE free parking lot near the center of town. SO i did an Airbnb in the town center and it was awesome to come home every day to our little Townhome in the winding streets. Id sit on the roof drink some wine, then go out on the cute little town for some food and a drink. St.Remy is very relaxing. Its not touristy as people claim. When I think of touristy I think of busy Paris or Rome. This is very chill and fun. Some of the smaller towns in Provence get pretty dead at night.

PalenQ

If not mentioned above Les Baux-de-Provence is right next door to St-Remy and is astounding - the Dead City on top of a large high plateau with views for miles around. The modern Les Baux down below has or had a ***-Michelin restaurant I believe.

fuzzbucket

Arles is a nice city in which to be based.
We stayed in the Jules Cesar hotel, and went to L'Oustau de Beaumaniere, which was terrific.