Just found these message boards -- fantastic.<BR><BR>My wife, 6 month old son, and I are going to France 2nd week of September. We're thinking of spending a few days in Paris and then travel through Provence and the Riviera. We've been to Paris numerous times, but this is our first time to the South. What is the best way to see this region? Should we rent a car and use one (or several?) cities as bases for day trips? Should we fly home (to LA) from Nice or return to Paris? <BR><BR>Thanks,<BR>Bennett

Bennett,<BR><BR>To save hours in a car, I would suggest taking the TGV to Avignon and picking up a car. You can easily spend weeks in this area (I live south of Avignon) visiting villages and sites -<BR>Avignon and Villeneuve lez Avignon, St Remy, Arles, Pont du Gard, the villages of the Luberon (Rousillon, Gordes, Menerbes, Bonnieux, Pernes la Fontaine, etc.), Aigues Mortes and the Camargue, Cassis, Aix en Provence, Lourmarin, etc.<BR><BR>I would suggest staying in a smaller village as opposed to a city like Avignon. The St. Remy/ Les Baux area has lots of comfortable hotels and B&amp;Bs.<BR><BR>You can also easily drive to the Riviera in about three hours and fly home from Nice, or if you decide to stay in this area, you can fly out of Marseille airport.<BR><BR>You can email me if you have any questions or would like a list of hotels, etc.<BR><BR>PBProvence

I would suggest that you take the TGV from Gare de Lyon to Avignon and pick up a car there. Rather than deal with a lot of traffic getting in and out of town, I would stay in a small town like St Remy which is small, charming. Then drive across to the Cote d'Azur area and stay in a small town there. Definitely use one town as a base in each area rather than packing and unpacking all the time. For more Paris information e-mail me – [email protected]

I know you mentioned staying in Paris for a few days, BUT think about flying into Lyon, instead. Lyon is a great city, with some wonderful restaurants. Plus, it's a little cheaper (at least, it was for us) to fly into Lyon v. Paris. it's only about 3 to 4 hours to Avignon via car from Lyon. I liked Avignon, Les Baux, and St. Remy (my favorite). These three areas are sorta in one spot, so that would be a good place to stay. I didn't much care for Aix. Of the Riveria spots, I liked St Tropez the best. I didn't find Cannes to be all that interesting. the traffic is a BEAR along the coast!!!

As everybody else, I would suggest to ride train from Paris to provence and there rent a car, which will prove useful, since public transportations aren't convenient at all when you intend to visit those charming little villages. <BR> <BR>Since you'll stay only for a few days, you should stay in only one place, IMO. I know both Provence and the Riviera are attractive, but you'll have more than enough to see in one or the other to keep you busy during your short stay. <BR> <BR>The suggestions already posted concerning the places you could stay in are fine, but let me add my own : the little town of Arles, which is really charming, with a lot of things to visit and centrally located for day trips in Provence.

The "best" way to explore Provence, of course, will differ from person to person. I've rented a car on three of my four trips there (on one trip I was just in Nice for a few days and didn't need one), so that's what I prefer. I like visiting smaller villages and hilltowns and, for me, a car gives the greatest flexibility; others may prefer buses. If you're only going to visit larger cities, the train might be fine. <BR> <BR>How long will you be there? If a longer period of time, then you could use two different cities as bases, for example, one in western Provence, and the other in eastern Provence (the Côte d'Azur, or Riviera). <BR> <BR>If flying home from Nice (or Marseille) isn't all that more expensive than flying back from Paris, that's what I'd recommend. <BR> <BR>Hope you have a wonderful trip!

Loved Provence. We were there in the summer and the Riviera was very crowded. We drove and that gave us great freedom and with a good map wonderful exploring. We liked Nice, but Cannes not so much. Got in terrible traffic near beaches, avoided those areas. Favorite town Aix. We used French chain motels, because we could park the car. If you have a car make sure you check where you can park and how much it will coat.

I agree with PB - I've used St. Remy, Les Baux and Gordes as bases in Provence. All very central to their own regions. <BR> <BR>Do take the TGV to Avignon - go to www.raileurope.com to find schedules and fares. The 3-day pass is very economical. <BR> <BR>Once in Avignon, rent a car at the station (Avis) and go from there. I've done this a couple of times, and always returned to Paris for the flight home - Nice is a bit far, and you might spend more time driving than seeing things.

Hi, <BR> <BR>I'm doing relatively the same trip as Benett and was curious if anyone knew how long the train trip is from Paris to Nice on the TGV? Just curious how much time I'd be saving by taking the train instead of a car. <BR> <BR>Also, is there any really nice region that I'd be missing if I took the train instead of a leisurly drive in the car? <BR> <BR>Thank you!! <BR> <BR>RMC

The train Paris to Nice now takes about 5 to 5 1/2 hours... about half the time of driving the same route. <BR> <BR>A good option would be to take the train (TGV) from Paris to Avignon, which now takes only 2 1/2 hours, pick up a rental car, visit some of our local scenery and villages here in the heart of Provence, before heading on to Nice (Avignon to Nice by car will take about 3 to 3 1/2 hours if you take the highway). <BR> <BR>There is so much to see here that you might decide to linger a few days... you could visit Avignon, drive south through St Remy de Provence, Les Baux de Provence, see the Pont du Gard, Arles, visit some of the villages of the Luberon (Rousillon, Menerbes, etc.), down through Lourmarin to Aix en Provence, Cassis and then on to Nice. <BR> <BR>PB

Benett, <BR> <BR>Whatever you decide, I'd suggest making hotel reservations asap. As I've posted several times on this board, fall fashion season is in full swing in September in Paris and the hotels are booked well in advance. The Riviera similarly is heavily booked at this time of year. I trued to book at the Jules Cesar in Arles in February of this year and they had no rooms in Septmeber when I am planning on visiting. The early bird does indeed seem to catch the worm -- at least in September. <BR> <BR>Regarding your questions: I think taking the train from Paris is the way to go. I would base myself in the west -- Aix-en-Provence, St Remy, Baux or Arles for perhaps 3 nights -- and do the same in the East -- Nice, Menton, St Paul de Vence. I would rent a car to use while exploring Provence, but I would not keep a car for my stay in Nice except for a day of exploring the coast going toward Monaco (Eze is wonderful). <BR> <BR>I think even if you fly out of Nice (at least on an American airline) you will end up flying via Paris, London or Franfurt. The exception might be a Delta codeshare with Air France that goes from Nice to JFK (at least it did when I flew that route several years ago). <BR> <BR>Have a great trip. <BR> <BR>john

The Provencals consiter the coast, Cote D'Azure, not the real Provence.The cote is much more expensive. You do need a small car to visit some of the beautiful villages, particulrly the Village Perche, these mountain topped perched villages. There are bed and breakfasts all over the place not to worry.

I agree with Luna , but let me add, take the D roads much more scenic and when you are short of time you take the autoroute, the fare is pricey and the scenery nil.But it gets you there fast.I live in Boston, so I can't help you with returning, anything else I would gladly help you.

We did this once and it was wonderful! <BR>Take the TGV train Paris to Geneve (it is MUCH cheaper to rent a car in Switzerland than France),...then continue on down to Provence by car....drive around and return car to Geneva. ONe really needs a car in the south of France, and truly can get the flavor of that wonderful country better.

Dear Benett, <BR>My wife and I just returned from the South of France and loved it! We have traveled all over europe and by far this was our best trip. We are from Scottsdale,Arizona and flew into Nice and back home from Marseille. This really didn't cost anymore. We met a few people that took the train from Paris and enjoyed the trip. They rented a car as well as we did and drove east. We started off in Nice and then went to Monte Carlo then to St. Paul- Vence beautiful area! Cannes we enjoyed, great restaurants and good night life! St. Tropez next fun to people watch and good shopping if you are into that! My wife loves this town.We then headed to Aix-en-Provence which was our base for Provence. We stayed at the Mecure and loved the service, the room was OK, although we were never there.(3star) $90.00 a night. We went to Cassis nice! we loved Avignon. We could have spent at least 5 days in that area. (great wine), but the best part of our trip was always coming back to Aix. The food, people and town was wonderful and relaxing. We can't wait to go back. We leave for Paris in October and then back to Provence. Enjoy your trip! <BR>p.s. I hear the traffic in the south is terrible in the summer months.

I've been reading everyone's messages--It sounds like Provence will be a wonderful trip! I'm planning to go in October. I will have 9 nights. I was planning to stay 2 nights in Aix, 4 nights in a farmhouse in Bonnieux (near Gordes), and 3 nights in Arles. Is this a good itinerary? should I spend 2 nights in Avignon? should I spend 7 nights in Noves (which appears to be in the middle)? Any help I can get would be most appreciated! --AK

Alyssa -- <BR> <BR>It depends on whether you are using these areas as bases from which to venture out, or as places to explore exclusively. I think if you can, you should attempt to include Les Baux and Avignon. Gordes is lovely, and in the off-season, very approachable. At the risk of committing heresy, I'd suggest looking at the Eyewitness guides which have pictures of different towns/regions. This may help in terms of deciding what appeals to you most.

Dear JHM: <BR>Thanks for your reply. I was going to use Bonnieux and Arles as bases to visit surrounding towns including Gordes, Menerbes, Carpentras, Les Baux, St. Remy, Avignon, etc. <BR>--Alyssa