Where are the best places to go east of <BR>Avignon. Where to stay and whato to see? What is so special about the area?

Where to begin! <BR> <BR>East (a little south east) of Avignon are wonderful hill towns with good wine, food and a rich history that is preserved. (Gordes, for example, has incredibly strict building codes to retain the town's look and feel.) East, I enjoy Gordes (galleries, historical places) and Rousillion (beautiful hill town with wonderful, warm people). Bonneiux is a cute small town as well, and while I haven't made it yet to Cavillion, I hear it's nice. L'Isle sur la Sorgue is a lovely 'moated' town with a great antique market on the weekend. Aix is like a small city in the country - full of activities and a wonderful flower market . <BR> <BR>When we (husband and I) have been, we pick a town/area as a base, and travel to the different markets and towns every day. It's a wonderful area to explore - if that's what you enjoy doing on vacation. <BR> <BR>I also LOVE south of Avignon in the St. Remy / Les Baux towns and we've stayed there more often. Such history (Van Gogh, antique structures & buildings). We find something new each time - Arles, Nimes (still haven't gotten there yet). <BR> <BR>I'd say it's the combination of history and culture that makes the area so special. If you are interested in details if you are planning a trip, I'd be happy to get more specific.

gretchen, <BR>Hope you don't mind if I piggy-back on your message??? <BR> <BR>Jen, <BR>Have you been to Provence in May/June? I'm thinking of going in 2001, and I wonder what I can expect. I'm not concerned so much about weather as about scenic beauty. Is that too early for whatever blooms to be blooming? What might I expect to see? Can you enlighten me? <BR> <BR>Thanks for your help. <BR> <BR>s

S: I've been in May/June before and it's heavenly! It is early for the purple lavender fields or sunflowers that you would hope to see in Provence, but it is cherry season. The weather is beautiful (better then than in September) and if you stay at a place with a pool, the temp is perfect for a quick dip before cocktails. <BR> <BR>Going in May and early June helps you beat some of the tourist migration there. <BR> <BR>Another 'scenic' note: the sunsets seem to be extremely dramatic at that time of the year...we were disappointed in September. <BR> <BR>Hope that helps and doesn't disappoint. Granted, I'd love to see the lavender fields in full bloom(I think they bloom in July/August), but I'd rather see less tourists!

Jen- <BR>Thanks for your reply!! It just sounds lovely. I'm going to drive on with my plans. <BR> <BR>s.

Also, May/June seems to be the time of year when the towns throuhout Provence celebrate their medieval heritage. If you have kids, this is especially wonderful, with lots of fairs, food, hands-on activities, and parades. <BR> <BR>

Heading to Provence in October. Any idea what's in bloom at that time? The lavender fields and sunflowers seem such a part of Provence, what can we expect?

Hello Gretchen: <BR>We are going to Provence, in October, next month... We are first staying in <BR>Avignon, for four days, then in Aix, <BR>for two days, then in Digne Les Bains, <BR>and then in Cannes... Any suggestion as <BR>Restaurants on this Areas...or any other <BR>suggestions?

Gretchen: <BR> <BR>The lavender blooms in the last week of June, first week of July. Wonderful to stay in St. Remy then motor out to the Luberon to experience the la lavande. Sunflowers, tournesole, bloom in August. <BR> <BR>Great little hotel in St. Remy is L'Amandiere. Can be used as a base to explore near-by Las Baux, Avignon. Aix-en Provence is about 60 kms. away.. Lavender country 40/50 kms away. <BR> <BR>

We've been to Provence twice during the last two weeks of June. There were fields of sunflowers in bloom between Aix and Avignon. Spectacular. We centered our stay in Aix and made day trips all over the region.

One of the highlights of a monthlong trip which included Paris, South of France and Tuscany was the 2 nites we stayed in Les Baux de Provence at Mas de l'Oulivie (email:[email protected]), everything about this place was beautiful!! I learned about the inn from Karen Brown's FRANCE, Charming Inns & Itineraries (a very worthwhile book!). There is so much to see in the area, its a wonderful trip! You can email me if you have any questions! <BR>Susan

Marta: We stayed one night in Digne Les Bains on way north from Vence to Annecy in '99. Not impressed; without the July lavender that the area is known for in the summer, not much to see or do. <BR> <BR>Others: Provence, I suspect, is still growing in popularity. Expect to occasionally run into hordes (or mini-hordes) of tourists even in late May and especially early June in the more popular spots. Market days were especially packed in some towns. Also, watch out for a French holiday in late May (can't remember name; Ascension?) that caused big traffic jams on "A" route between Lyon and the coast that spring. -- Steve <BR>

We just returned from St. Remy de Provence (among many other places) and the mid-late September bloom was pretty much null. The sunflower fields were there, but on in the form of huge flower heads ripening on yellowing stalks. Still lovely, but if "bloom" is what you're after, I suppose you'll have to brave the summer crowds. As for lodging, we found the Chateau des Alpilles to be more than we even expected. Gorgeous location, rooms, common areas, and exceptional service and food.

We are also planning a trip to the region - is it possible to base in Aix and daytrip to Nice and the other Riveria towns?

Greg, <BR> <BR>I have not been but will be leaving for Provence in two weeks. Will be flying into Nice and driving to Avignon for a week then back toward Nice to Aix for another week. The research I have done would seem to indicate that it is about a two hour drive between Nice and Aix. Maybe a bit long to use Aix as a base for day trips to the Riviera. I have, however, seen Aix lauded as a base for day trips into other areas of Provence. <BR>As I said, this is not based on experience, just research. Maybe someone else can better enlighten. <BR> <BR>Ron