It does usually cool down fairly well in the evening in Provence, and it can be okay outside if there is a breeze. That does not translate to inside, though, where you get much less breeze and ventilation. Thick walls help some, but I've stayed in 2 places in Provence in July without AC and could barely sleep at night. I don't sleep well when it is real hot. And one even had a fan, but it was still about 90 degrees.

It is not going to be real cool inside just due to thick walls. I won't stay in B&Bs for that reason, I now stay only in inns or hotels with AC in Provence.

You are only going to be in Provence for 4 days, you probably can't even rent a place for that time period, have you checked? In season, they usually require a week's rental.

I love this inn which now has AC and is just a bit north of Isle sur la Sorgue, I've stayed there twice. I drive to Isle sur la Sorgue for dinner or the market, etc., it's an easy drive on a main road.
http://www.hotel-lhermitage.com/

I loved this place Christina! I have sent them an email to check for availability.

Google maps shows a 17minute drive. I am fine with that my only concern is that will it be okay to drive at night after dinner and drinks?

Is there something similar in l'Isle sur la Sorgue instead? Thank you in advance.

>>will it be okay to drive at night after dinner and drinks? <<

Uh - where <i>would</i> it be OK to drive at night (or any time) after drinking?

I meant - The whole idea behind staying at l'Isle sur la Sorgue is walking to restraunts. Are there places similar to http://www.hotel-lhermitage.com/ l'Isle sur la Sorgue?

My budget is USD$250/night. Thank you.

This was in the Michelin Red Guide

http://www.le-clos-violette.fr/index_english.html

I think you need to decide whether you want to stay in the countryside in a place with expansive grounds & a large swimming pool - but drive anywhere from 10 to 20 mins to dinner - or a place in the city where you can walk to dinner, shops, cafes, markets, antique shops, grocery, etc.

Stu Dudley

We are staying in Old Nice, Paris and Beaune.

What would recommend for us as a good combination in Provence to compliment the trip.

Countryside or a city atmosphere in l'Isle sur la Sorgue?

Then I would do countryside in Provence. If you are only going to be there for 3-4 days - driving to restaurants would be no big deal. We've spent 18 weeks in Provence - all of them in Gites in the countryside. Even 8 weeks of our 16 weeks along the Cote d'Azur have been spent in the countryside just behind Nice and near Cotignac in the Var.

Do you have my 27 page itinerary for Provence & the Cote d'Azur that I've sent to over 3,000 people on Fodors? If not, e-mail me at [email protected] & I'll attach one to the reply e-mail. We've also spent 2 weeks in Burgundy - in the countryside near Beaune. I did an itinerary for a friend - ask for that one also.

Stu Dudley

I just sent you an email. Thank you.

What countryside should I look for close to l'Isle sur la Sorgue? I am particularly interested in the lavender fields and a nice charming place to stay which I can make as a base to see Provence for 4 to 5 nights.

We've spent 8 weeks in a gite in Bedoin, which has a fantastic Monday morning farmer's market. Lot's of cafes in town and it is the start of the bicycle climb up Mt Ventoux. It about 20 mins from the lavender fields around Sault. We always have a meal at Le Pins - which is a very nice restaurant and hotel. It's about 30-40 mins from l'Isle sur la Sorgue.

Christna's recommendation is in the same general area.

Stu Dudley

I responded on your other thread when you said you couldn't find review of the Hermitage, there are plenty of them.

It is about a 15 min drive to Isle sur la Sorgue, I guess, it's a main road, not busy at all normally, between the two places. There is one of my favorite restaurants in Pernes-les-Fontaines, actually, you don't have to drive to Isle sur la Sorgue if yo udon't want. There are some places closer, including a nice place with live music up the road a bit (no Americans are ever there, it's a place only French people holiday, the Prato Plage hotel and restaurant). My favortiate restaurant in Pernes is this one http://www.dameloie.fr/

YOu could eat there a couple times and not be sorry. I never felt any great need to go into Isle sur la Sorgue for dinner, but you could. I do like one place on the northern edge of Isle sur la Sorgue, though, this one http://www.hotel-cantosorgue.com/
You may think it's a cheesy 2* modern hotel, but they have a restaurant that is fantastic with outside tables on the river, which makes for a cooler experience in summer.

Only you know what you are used to drinking and how it affects you. I do drive after drinking at dinner, but I only have one glass of wine, I am a very good driver (mean I don't speed or ever do reckless things), I am driving probably 1-1.5 hours after finishing the drink, and the country road between Pernes and these places I mention is straight and simple. I also do NOT stay out real late, I get back by 9 usually. Pernes itself is only a couple miles away, and the Prato Plage is probably only a mile.

I just noticed upon viewing the Hotel Cantosorgue website that they don't mention their restaurant any more. I hope it hasn't closed. It was wonderful, neighborhood people would go there to go out to dinner as a special occasion. Well, it's on the road on the way into Isle-sur-la-Sorgue so you could stop and find out or call to see, if you are interested. It's a lot easier than going all the way into Isle sur la Sorgue (La Prevote is the main restaurant of note, there, I believe). But it's going to be more of a production going into that town, finding a place to park, and going to eat there. If you are already there, that's another thing.

This is the Hotel Prato Plage which is up the road a bit. It's a modern hotel on a man-made lake, I think, but has a decent outdoor restaurant with nice tables. They have live music out there some nights, also (all in French, French pop singers, basically). The food isn't stellar, but it's average and a quick and fun place to go. It was sort of cute they got all excited when I was there once because I was an American and they never get them. It is off the beaten tourist track.

Thanks Christina. I am book marking all your notes because we have booked to stay at L'Hermitage.

oh, well I really like the place, I wasn't sure what you were expecting when you were so focused on the bathroom and thought you might be wanting something more like a modern big chain hotel, of course, and if so, you could be disappointed. It doesn't have an elevator, either. I prefer to stay on the first floor for that reason (which is not the ground floor, one flight up), but if you travel lightly it's not a big deal.

I forgot the link to PRato Plage, you could print the directions or something just in case http://www.pratoplage.com/