chchtrain

Hello. I know this question has been asked before and I have read all the answers. However, I now have a few thoughts and appreciate as many feedback as possible. We will be going to provence in late september.
1) I will be travelling with my elderly parents and not driving. Is St Remy easy for us to join any day tours operating out from this town? I see that in Avignon there are day tours but can't find any from st remy. Also, to stay in a decent hotel in Avignon ( la Mirande) costs a lot compared to staying in town in st remy (Atelier de l'image). I prefer st remy if transport is easy. Any knowledge of a private tour operator?
2) I have 5 nights but worried about my midday flight home so might just spend 4 nights in st remy and the last night somewhere near Paris. Any suggestion which town it might be? I will have spent 4 nights in Paris before going to St remy so would not want to spend my last night there anymore. Ideally if I can spend my last night in a town near Paris and on the TGV line it would be ideal for me. The TGV goes straight to CDG the next morning would be quite safe for my midday flight. Would be really hoping for answer to this question.
3) I will leave Paris for St remy on 28 Sep which is a Wednesday. Would I have missed the market if I arrive late afternoon? How should I go from Avignon station to St Remy? Taxi or onward train connection?
4) I heard so much about Gordes but perhaps no time to base ourselves in another place. What about day trips there?

Thanks and please help.

StuDudley

2. From Avignon, we've taken the TGV to Dijon & stayed overnight at the hotel Jura - just 50 yds from the station. Next morning there is a 6:30 (or so) direct TGV to CDG that gets you there about 8:30 am. About 3 weeks ago, we took the TGV/train to Chambery & stayed overnight. Next morning we took the train/TGV to CDG & got there about 11:21.

Lyon is another possibility
3. The market in St Remy probably finishes at 1:00 - like most markets.

4. A day trip to several villages in the Luberon would be a great idea - not just Gordes. If you are there on a Sat, visit the morning market in Apt & then visit the villages. Better yet, if you are there on a Sunday, visit the morning market in l'Isle sur la Sorgue & the villages afterwards. The Friday market in Carpentras is also possible, There are busses that normally run, but I've never taken them. My guess is that there is also a tour operator who takes people to the markets and then the villages after - check with your hotel in St Remy.

Stu Dudley

PBProvence

There's no "easy" transport from St Remy However, if you stay at les Ateliers de l'Image, talk to Philippe (who works there) - he used to offer private guided tours to the area.
Tell him Patricia told you to talk to him (I live nearby and if I see him I'll ask if he's still doing the tour thing)

Patricia

Christina

I wouldn't recommend staying in St Remy without a car unless you didn't want to do anything but hang out in St Remy. It's too small to have a train station, and the bus schedules are not that convenient or extensive. I don't think there's any way to get there from Avignon but a taxi. Yes, there is a bus (I've taken it), but it's not frequent. If the only reason is because of the hotel cost, you wouldn't have to stay in the most expensive hotel in Avignon (which I think La Mirande is, perhaps along with Hotel d'Europe--but even Europe's rates for a std double are less than L'Atelier in St Remy). I wouldn't say La Mirande is the only decent hotel in Avignon, but it depends what level of luxury you are looking for. Also, it would make it easier to take the train to your next destination where you want to stay before your flight.

Sue4

I wouldn't stay in St. Remy without a car, either. Avignon would have options for touring the area easily, and is a very nice city with alot to see. I stayed just across the bridge in Villeneuve-les-Avignon, which is a lovely village. I stayed at Le Priere, which is a beautiful hotel with a first rate restaurant. Fairly close to that hotel is frequent bus service to Avignon, or easy taxi service. I would highly recommend Le Priere, a Relais & Chateau property. I also stayed near St. Remy for a few days on that same trip, but by that time I had picked up my car, which I didn't need for Avignon and Villeneuve.

Underhill

Le Prieuré is indeed a lovely hotel. So also is the 4* La Magnaneraie, just up the hill in a beautiful residential area.

Trophywife007

We also stayed at La Magnaneraie in Villenueve a couple of years ago (during the big heat wave) and it was wonderful. Having breakfast and dinner on their beautiful patio was like being in a Merchant and Ivory (sp?) film. There is a bus stop within walking distance if one does not wish to drive into Avignon, and Villenueve is charming.

chchtrain

I would not want to drive due to my terrible sense of direction. I figured I want a relaxing trip and do not want to be stressed out by the navigating and driving at the same time. I have decided on Avignon as my base as there are day tours operating out of this town rather than st remy. Does anyone know of a painting studio that my dad can go take a 1 day course? The rate I get from hotel d'europe is the same as la mirande for my chosen date. Based on their websites, I think Mirande is a nice hotel. What do you think?
Thanks

Christina

I think it will be more relaxing to stay in Avignon for logistics. I am very surprised that you are getting quoted the same rate by Europe and Mirande, as Mirande's room rates START at 365 euro in high season according to their web site (and your period would be high) and that is for the cheapest room. Hotel d'Europe's own web site has rooms starting at 135 euro for the standard, and you never get to 365 euro until you get into four categories higher. So that is just really strange.

Anyway, the Mirande is a lovely hotel, although given its location I wonder if it could be noisy -- it's practically right next to the Palais des Papes and although down a very small and secluded pedestrian street, I think there might be alot of people walking around there. Haven't stayed there, that's for sure, but I did stay nearby.

I think some of the better hotels are there are someone outside, as others suggested. There is the 4* Cloitre St Louis, also, which is in Avignon, and they are definitely cheaper than Mirande www.cloitre-saint-louis.com I think there are some other decent options, but not at the luxury level, that's true.