We rented an apartment in Arles and used it as a base for the Camargue and parts of the Languedoc and western Provence: Tarascon, Uzès, St. Guilhem le Désert, Nimes.

In Arles I would recommend the antiquities museum in addition to the arena and underground city.

@ Michael: You are a source of inspiration! I'm going to have to see if I can fit Tarascon into my plans. And I promise not to skip the antiquities museum, as that's another type of thing I enjoy. The Roman barge looks a bit like the one at the Latenium, outside Neuchatel -- a very interesting museum, if you're ever in that region!

You say, "Warning: Long post ahead!" as if it's a bad thing. I can't help advise, but am saving this thread for inspiration for some day. Enjoy your trip.

And great photos, Michael!

@ 5alive: Isn't there an incredible wealth of information in this thread?!? I think planning threads are under-utilized here on Fodor's, and am glad that everyone who took the time to respond to my (very long) post knows that others are also benefiting from their input.

With the wonderful advice so many of you have generously offered, I've revised plan my plan and added a night. I’m listing what I consider my priorities, but the entire plan is subject to adjustment as necessary. I welcome comments!

Day 0: Overnight flight from the eastern U.S.

Days 1 - 4: Land in Nice. 4 nights in Nice.

Day 5: Public transportation to Menton. 1 night in Menton.

Day 6: Pick up a rental car and drive through a bit of the Mercantour National Park, routing through Sospel (not Italy). Stop in Tende (Musée des Merveilles) and visit the Chapelle Notre-Dame-des-Fontaines; 1 night in La Brigue.

Day 7: Drive to Saorge (visit its manstery) then through the Gorges du Cians and on to Tourettes-sur-Loup. 1 night in Tourettes

Day 8: Drive to Vence (Chapelle Matisse +), Saint-Paul-de-Vence (Fondation Maeght +), Grasse (perfume making; annual rose festival), and on to Antibes. 1st of 2 nights in Antibes.

Day 9: Musee Picasso; Biot (Musee National Fernand Leger); Chapelle Sainte-Roseline; back to Antibes for Le Sentier du Littoral, 2nd night in Antibes

Day 10: Abbaye du Thoronet (given various opening hours, I couldn’t find a way to see both the abbey and Ste-Roseline on the same day); Port Grimaud, and Saint-Tropez (Musee de l’Annonciade +); 1 night in Saint-Tropez

Day 11: Domaine du Rayol; Monastere de la Verne, and on to Cassis. 1 night in Cassis.

Days 12 to 15: Boat tour of the Calenques from Cassis. Move on to Marseille and return car. 4 nights in Marseille.

Day 16: Public transportation to Aix-en-Provence. 1 night in Aix.

Days 17 to 18: Public transportation to Avignon. 2 nights in Avignon.

Days 19 to 20: Public transportation to Arles. 2 nights in Arles.

Day 21: Rent another car. Visit Eygalières, Saint-Paul-de-Mausole, the Carrières de Lumières and Les-Baux-de-Provence before moving on to Maussane-les-Alpilles. 1 night in Maussane.

Day 22: La Camargue, Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer, and on to Aigues-Mortes. 1 night in Aigues-Mortes.

Day 23: Tarascon, Pont du Gard, and Uzès. 1 night in Uzès

Day 24: Grotte Chalet (replica, museum), Gorges de l'Ardèche; 1 night in Gigondas, with dinner at L'Oustalet

Day 25: As possible: Pernes-les-Fontaines; L’Isle-sur-la-Sorgue, Village des Bories, Gordes, Roussilon; return car in Orange. 1 night in Orange.

Days 26 to 29: When ready, public transportation to Lyon. 4 nights in Lyon.

Day 30: Public transportation to Annecy. Explore Annecy and Talloires. 1 night in Annecy.

Day 31: When ready, public transportation to Geneva. 1 night in Geneva

Day 32: Fly home from Geneva.

(Day 33 ff: collapse!)

Thanks so much for all the help you've already given and any further suggestions or comments.

I'm sure you have already checked this out - but I bet when you get to Annecy, you won't want to also include Talloires in your plans. There is a no-train-change train from Lyon that departs at noon & gets to Annecy at 2. A 1 change train (Aix) departs at 9 & gets to Annecy at 11 - but the time to change trains is only 18 mins. Both trains depart from Part Dieu - and you'll probably take a taxi to get there - which consumes some time.


Then the only reasonable schedule that goes to Geneva departs at 11:21 & gets to Geneva at 2:01 and involves a bus and a train.



That doesn't leave you much time in Annecy. We've visited Annecy 3 times, and stayed in a Gite in Talloires for 2 weeks (visited Annecy several times then). Annecy is smaller than you might think - but if you visit the town and perhaps take a boat trip - you'll get a good appreciation of it. Talloires won't add much, IMO.


Did I sent you my Lyon itinerary???. If not - e-mail me.


What is the Grotte Chalet?? Chauvet??



Stu Dudley

I took the airport bus from Geneva airport to Annecy. So, I assume there is a bus that does the reverse route with no train connection. I haven't checked the schedules so don't know if it would work for you.

Yes, definitely. The best ones --like this one--I screenshot and keep on my computer. I've taken a couple of trips where I didn't ask a lot of questions but read past threads. My questions were answered...why ask them again?

>>I took the airport bus from Geneva airport to Annecy.<<


But then kja would need to get to the center of Geneva to see the stuff. Taxi or another bus would consume some time - and she only has about a half-day available.


Stu Dudley

@ StuDudley &
@ joannyc:
Thanks for the info! My plan is to take a bus from Annecy to Geneva that takes just under an hour and would get me to Geneva in time for dinner. Having spent some time in Geneva on a different trip, my goal is simply to be there the night before my flight.

@ StuDudley: Yes, that should have been Grotte Chauvet. Automatic spell correctors can be pesky beasts! Sorry for any confusion.

@ 5alive: I always go through at least a year’s worth of Fodor's trip planning threads as part of my research – I always learn a lot that way!

I finally took the big plunge -- I booked my flights!

Suggestions remain welcome, as I still have a lot of room for adjusting my plans.

Comments of the "much better," "good plan," "should be great" variety are particularly welcome.

I've begun booking accommodations. If anyone has a favorite well-located hotel or B&B to recommend (not too expensive -- as a solo traveler, I don't expect to spend much time there), please let me know. Places that offer a nice breakfast are particularly welcome.

Restaurant suggestions will also be appreciated. I'll be looking for evening meals only, and will likely include a range from simple local eateries to fine dining experiences.

Here's the latest list of locations:

• Aigues-Mortes
• Aix-en-Provence
• Annecy
• Antibes or Juan-les-Pines
• Arles
• Avignon
• Cassis
• La Brigue or Tende
• Lyon
• Marseilles
• Mausanne-les-Alpilles
• Menton
• Nice
• Orange
• Pernes-les-Fontaines (I couldn't book Gigondas)
• Saint Tropez or Port Grimaud
• Tourrettes-sur-Loup
• Uzés

Thanks for all the advice already so generously shared (including lodging and dining options, which I have duly noted), and thanks in advance for further input!

If anyone's interested, I've begun my trip report:
A stellar month in southeastern France