jrjcolllins

We will be in France for seven weeks in September and October with a rental car except in Paris. We have never been to the south of France. This board has been invaluable in planning and Stu Dudley's itineraries are great. In Provence we'll be staying 7 nights in Les Baux and 4 nights at Le Mas du Kairos near Vanasque. This part of the trip will be in mid-October. We have the Les Baux portion of the trip pretty much planned out but would really like some help with our Luberon itinerary. I realize we're only going to one market in that area, but we will have seen a lot of other markets. We will also have already seen the Roman theater in Orange. So here goes:

Friday afternoon: Leave Les Baux and visit Abbe de Silvacane, Lourmarin, and Bonnieux before going up to our B&B in Venasque.

Saturday: Venasque, Abbe de Senanque, Gordes, Village des Bories, Roussillon.

Sunday: I'Isle-sur-la-Sorgue market, Vaison la Romaine, and one of Stu Dudley's drives east of Vaison.

Monday: Oppede le Vieux, Menerbes, Lacoste, Abbe St. Hilaire

Any suggestions would be much appreciated. Thank you in advance.

jrjcolllins

Anyone?

shellio

Near Oppede, be sure to visit Maubec. Tiny and lovely, it was a very nice surprise.

Although I really like the market in Isle-sur-la-Sorgue, it's a particularly nice town to visit on less crowded days, much preferable to the too-touristy St-Remy de Provence, for example.

TuckH

Please give Josy (Mas du Kairos) a warm Hello from Tuck and Heidi.

For your Vaison day, you should include Séguret, Gigondas and Crestet. That day trip should be all of one long day - not part of the l'Isle-sur-la-Sorgue market day.

Other than the towns on your list, highlights for us were Brantes (on Stu's route) and Joucas.

Except for Brantes, all the other towns are within easy reach of Venasque. You'll have a great time!

jrjcolllins

Thanks, Tuck and Shellio for your suggestions. And we'll say hello to Josy, Tuck.

hausfrau

Sounds like a wonderful itinerary. We rented a house in Venasque for a week in October 2001 and visted many of the places on your list. There are a couple of wonderful restaurants in Venasque - I can't remember the names unfortunately, but there are only about 3 restaurants in the whole town so I'm sure you will find them! One thing I remember (sadly) is that the only boulangerie in the village was closed for their fall vacation, so we had no fresh bread or croissants for the whole week!

It is a gorgeous area and a lovely time of year to go - lighter crowds and lovely weather. Enjoy!

caroltis

I too recommend walking through the little village of Joucas - it is a real treat. It's church has a real folk art look that is very charming. Interesting outside sculptures at an artists studio...many beautiful climbing roses...special village! Menerbes is fun to stroll through - be sure and walk to the end of the main street that ends at the cemetery and church. Very peaceful.