How many days do I need in Provence? What are the best towns to visit and the absolute must-see's? Are the lavender fields ubiquitous in Provence region or are their specific towns I should visit to see this?<BR><BR>Also, I've never been to Cote d'azur before. Would you consider this a must-see? If so, can you recommend things I should do/places I should visit? Thanks.

&lt;&lt;How many days do I need in Provence? <BR>What are the best towns to visit and the absolute must-see's? &gt;&gt;<BR><BR>It all depends on what interests you... you can spend a few days and see some of it, or weeks and still not see it all. "Must sees" would depend on what you like to see - Roman ruins ? Visit Arles, Nimes, Glanum just outside of St. Remy, the Pont du Gard.<BR><BR>Perched or charming villages ? Les Baux, Eygalieres, Gordes, Roussillon,Menerbes,Oppede le Vieux Grignan (although this is actually in the Drome)...<BR>&lt;&lt;Are the lavender fields ubiquitous in Provence region or are their specific towns I should visit to see this?&gt;&gt;<BR>The lavender is blooming from late June through the end of July, beginning of August. You can see a spectacular example of a lavender field at the Abbaye de Senanque, just outside of Gordes.<BR><BR>PB<BR>

Just returned from both areas mentioned a few days ago. Our first trip. PB is very helpful about the Provence area. My favorite was Gordes and St. Remy. Wish we had stayed in one of the smaller places rather than Avignon.<BR>Our favorite place was the Cote d'azur staying in Nice. The drive to Monaco is spectacular-one of the most beautiful places I have ever been in Europe, Asia or the US. The hill towns are also great Ez on the way to Monaco and St. Paul de Vence in the Cannes direction. It would be a must see for me. I will be happy to answer any other questions.

Depends. I could spend months there, but I never have the time. We spent 2 very short weeks in southern France and I recommend going after mid-Sept. when the prices reduce and many of the tourists and working families go home. Lease a car if you have the time - min imum lease is 17 days and Renault does the leasing in France - otherwise rent a car. Be sure to see Nice with its wonderful museums and the nearby cities of Eze and Villefranche-sur-Mer. then go to the hills and see St. Paul and Vence. Then leave the Cote d'Azur to go to Provence. Don't miss Aix-en-Provence and St. Remy de Provence and Les Baux. If you have time go into Languedoc, a bit south and west of Provence and with a pronounced Catalan flavor. See the abandoned Cathar castles in Languedoc and Roussillon and then trek back to Nice to drop off your car. Do some online research and read some books before you go. Check out a few web sites: "www.ricksteves.com" or "www.frommers.com" to see what recommendations folks have for specific hotels and restaurants. Bon Voyage.

I, too, want to go to Provence and possibly the Cote d'azur next fall, and have some of the same questions you do, so I've enjoyed the replys. However, I will be alone and hate to rent a car and drive by myself. I wonder how feasible it is to base in a town and take the train or bus to daytrip to other nearby locales. I just bought a book "Daytrips France" by Earl Steinbicker, and he makes it seem possible - but has anyone done this sucessfully lately? He says Nice is best as base for Cote d/azur, which sounds fine. And that Marseilles is convenient for other areas, but I don't like the idea of Marseilles.

I just got back last night from visiting Aix, Avignon and Canne. I personally did not care much for Avignon. It was too big, I guess I expected it to be more like Aix which was busy but very charming. The small streets in Aix, with all the shops were really fun. However, the main street, I forget the name, is still under construction which is sort of a pain. <BR><BR>We stayed in Canne but traveled all along the coast and all the way into Italy for a nice lunch one day. It is very picturesque and well worth the trip. We drove the Bonne going and then took the road along the coast on the return to Canne. Slower but it is one of the most beautiful drives I have ever seen. Visited Monte Carlo and took a short drive up the mountain to a small town called La Turbie, this view is worth the trip up the mountain.<BR>Sorry, this is probably more than you want to know right now.

Hi:<BR>If you wnat to read more details about some neat areas and things to do and see read "Provence Diary" at:<BR>http://groups.yahoo.com/group/provence<BR>John

For Sue<BR>We just spent one week in Nice and one in Aix. From Nice we took the bus to St. Paul de Vence, Eze and Monte Carlo. It was very easy. In Aix we had a car, but we took the bus to Cassis, which was also very easy. Without a car, you have to pick and choose the more accessible sites..but you can still have a marvellous trip.<BR><BR>For Susan:<BR>We were thinking of going back next year and staying in Avignon because it is so much closer to the places we still want to visit. I was sorry to read that you thought it didn't measure up to Aix. We loved Aix, in spite of the construction! Could you please elaborate on why you didn't like Avignon.<BR>Thank you

As I said we stayed inside the old city walls, but as we arrived I was very dismayed to find the city to be large and fairly modern, I guess this is the capital of Provence or something. The city inside the walls was historic but the streets were lined with modern (and expensive) shops that didn't really sell anything that you couldn't get at your local mall. In the square, in and around the Popes Palace, there was nothing but touristy street cafes that served mediocre food at best. The city did not seem very clean and there was a continuous smell of sewage in the air. The historic sites were interesting and we took a day trip to the Chateauneuf du Papes vineyard area which was very charming, but if I had it to do over, I would of spent more time in Aix and the surrounding area. Avignons not bad, just not my favorite.

I actually liked Avignon better than Aix. I thought Aix was too big, but Avignon was more walkable and more centrally laid out. Of course, the sun was out when we were in Avignon and it was raining when we were in Aix, so who knows. Anyway, my favorite place and where I wished we had stayed was St Remy. What a cute little town. And they have a great Roman ruins site just outside of town. Cool. <BR>We stayed in Gordes, which is a cute little town tucked into rocks on top of a hill. Very photogenic place with a few nice shops and restaurants, but the drive back and forth was too long in my opinion.<BR>I liked the Cote d'Azur, and the drive along the coast is spectactular, but it can be a LONG drive if there's traffic and there's almost always traffic. St Tropez is my favorite town. Great architecture, there. We were disappointed with Cannes. Too big. And way too expensive. We stayed for 7 days and felt we had seen what we needed to see. But we will go back. Have fun.

We don't want to rent a car next time so I think it will be easier to do daytrips from Avignon than St. Remy or Arles. Correct me if I am wrong..someone!!Most of the people who post here are very Pro car-renting...but for us it was not a great idea!! So we need easy transportation to do sidetrips.

Arlene,<BR>I don't know what your circumstances are, but, if possible, I'd rent a car. It just seems easier and you can get to places quicker than with a bus group or even with the train. <BR>I do agree that Avignon probably makes the most sense as a centrally located spot. Plus, the train station is right in town and is easy to find and walk to. Arles is too far off the beaten path, and you have to take a long (but direct) two lane road to get to St Remy.

Thank you, Captain Kirk! I think you are right about Avignon. My circumstances....hubby refuses to drive or navigate. If it weren't so stressful, it would have made a perfect situation comedy senario! Finally, we left the Mercedes (that's what they gave us!) in the garage and happily took a bus to Cassis! What a relief!!!!