Provence
 

We have 5 to 7 days in Provence-Recommendations please for lodging, locations, activities.

Merci

Provence is enormous. What part(s) of it do you plan to visit?

Hi C,

It would help if you gave us a rough plan and your budget.

((I))

And what is your transportation in Provence?

Consider the Michelin Green Guide or Fodor's for what to see and do in the Provence.

If you are driving, Hotel Acquabella in Aix might work. There is a garage (very nearby--I don't know if it's public or associated with the hotel), a heated swimming pool, outdoor bar, restaurant and spa. Perfect for the end of a touristy day. Oh, and the most comfortable bed yet.

http://www.hotelaix.fr/

If you are taking trains, Avignon would be easier.

And, I agree with those above who suggest you read up to see what calls out. You might hate what I loved. That being said, I loved Aix, Cassis, Arles, Lourmarin, Roussillon, Gordes and Montpellier.

We don't even know what season you are coming (so I really wouldn't worry about swimming pools yet).

My own idea for a base in Provence would be Avignon or Nimes.

After encountering major traffic in both Avignon and Nimes 2 weeks ago, I'd suggest a smaller town for a base! :)

But we don't even know if traffic is a factor -- they might be using the train.

Assuming you are having a car - which is the best way to see the area - I suggest St Remy as a base. I based there for 5 nights last summer and it worked out great. I have also stayed in Aix which I love but not central to a lot of the main things people want to see in Provence.Stayed in Avignon previous trip and much prefer St Remy as base.

Here's my trip report - http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...swiss-alps.cfm

We have not decided on transport yet the trip is in May, initially we thought of avignon as a base but St. Remy may be a better alternative. We would prefer NOT to drive and take the train(s) but have not ruled that option out.
Our tentative plan is Nice 5 days, 5 to 7 in Eastern Provence, 5 dyays in Cinque terra, 4 or 5 at Como and 2 in Milan.

Trains will be fine for all the Italy portions. And if by "Eastern Provence" you mean Cote d'Azure around Nice, that is also pretty easy by trains/buses. But for the St Remy area you really need a car. You could see Avignon and Aix and a few other places but for the real gems of the area you either need a car or a lot of time (inconvenient bus connections). Even with Avignon it's not really easy because for example, the TGV train station is outside of town and you need a bus or taxi to get to the center.

Avignon would be a good base if you don't drive, as it has good transportation options by train and bus. I would not recommend you base in St Remy if you do not have a car, it would be impossible.

I don't think they mean around Nice for Eastern Provence, I think they mean east of the Rhone river. Because if you really did want to do eastern Provence, you wouldn't base in Avignon or St Remy as they are on the western edge.

as for recommendations for itinerary, without knowing exactly what is meant by Provence, for 5-7 days, I'd probably stay in Aix or area for maybe 3 days, then move to some place around the Luberon or just north of it for the rest, and then see the Vaucluse from there, as well as a day in Avignon. Or, if you didn't have a car, that part of the trip could be based in Avignon.

Could you please clarify what you mean by "Eastern Provence," because St-Rémy isn't in that region. And you couldn't possibly stay in St-Rémy without a car anyway.

Just got back last week and yes, traffic is a mess in Avignon right now, lots of construction. We had a car and based ourselves in St Remy. St Remy is a great base to visit the many towns in the region but a car is necessary. We drove 1200 miles over 5 days and visited:

Fountaine de Vacluse (sp?)
Arles
Avignon
Gordes
Isle Sur La Sorgue
Roussillon
Aix
Cassis (this was a stop on our way back to Nice)

We had a Michelin map and a GPS and that was all the help we needed. Roads are well maintained and very well signed.

I think seeing Provence without a car is difficult--and possibly time consuming, conforming to transport schedules. And you can't always "get there from here" to see many charming places.
Aix is a big traffic jam--saying there is a parking garage gives a clue to that. And I think traffic jams in France give new meaning to the words!! LOL Just a thought.
Driving is easy. As someone said, get the Green Guide and plan.

Provence is beautiful in May - especially late May. St. Remy is a great place to stay but not for eastern Provence. Please do a little research and let us know your interests. I can tell you what we have enjoyed but you need to do a rough itinerary to get ideas from others.

I would seriously consider a car. I can't imagine that you would get the most out of your time in Provence otherwise.