Suggestions are appreciated for where to stay on our trip to France in October. We will
be taking a river cruise up the Rhone from Arles, which includes a stop in Avignon. We are arriving 3 days early, flying into Marsailles, and hoping to see some of the area before we head north on the river cruise. We had planned on renting a car and staying 2 nights in Aix-en-Provence, but I'm not sure where to spend the last night before we end up in Arles for the cruise, which includes a city tour of Arles. I would appreciate any thoughts about cities, and especially hotels, that you would recommend that would be a close drive from Arles. Thanks, as always, for your help!

Hi Cli,

We very much liked ours stay at http://www.hotel-en-provence.com/uk/index.php in Graveson, about 25 km from Arles.

Details in my trip report Ira Returns From 22 Loverly Days in Europe - Sep, 2009
http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...-in-europe.cfm

How about just one night in Aix and two nights in St. Remy which we far preferred? Great base to see a couple of other towns as well.
We stayed here and enjoyed it:
http://www.masdescarassins.com/anglais.php
cheers,
CC

Thanks for your suggestions! The place in Graveson looks awesome, Ira! I've discovered over the years that your suggestions are always good ones! And I never considered 2 nights in St. Remy as opposed to 1 in Aix, so thanks for that thought, CaptCanuck. I just thought there was more to see in Aix. The main objective is to be near Arles to drop our car the day of our river cruise. Any recommendations regarding car rentals? We've always done the train, but know that a car is the way to go in this region.

St. Remy has area many nearby sights. For our second trip to this area we stayed at www.chateaudesalpilles.com Had a lovely dinner at the chateau. However, I looked at the hotel 'Ira' suggested and that indeed was very nice. Depends on your budget. The drive to Aix from Marsailles will not take long. Staying two nights in the St. Remy are as previously suggested works well as it's near Arles. Richard

Bookmarking for the place in Graveson---looks like just our kind of place.

Afew years ago we stayed at www.aubergedecassagne.com in Le Pontet, outside of Avignon and loved it. The Graveson property reminds us of that trip, but it looks even better.

I think we are going to spend 1 night in Aix and 2 in St. Remy, as suggested, and use St. Remy as a base for touring before heading to Arles for the river cruise up the Rhone. I've emailed both Chateau des Alpilles and Mas des Carissins, although the Mas looks like it would give us the ability to walk rather than drive into town for an evening diversion or dinner, which I view as a strong benefit.

I would also appreciate any advice regarding transportation. We are flying into Marsailles, so one scenario is to take the train to Aix, spend the night, see the sights, then rent a car and drive to St. Remy and use the car for our day tripping. Then we would return the rental car in St. Remy and take the train to Arles. I imagine the train station is close to the Port, and if not we can take a taxi. The other scenario is to rent the car in Marsailles and drop it in Arles. Any thoughts? I imagine one way rentals aren't a problem in this part of France, but I wasn't even sure which rental car company to check with.

Suggestions and feedback much appreciated!

Check out Auto Europe. We have usually gotten good rates from them while in France and Italy.
They find you a low rate with one of the available rental agencies and offer a good selection of cars depending on what you are looking for. You don't need the car while in Aix if a train is available to get there.
cheers,
CC

>>I would also appreciate any advice regarding transportation. We are flying into Marsailles, so one scenario is to take the train to Aix, spend the night, see the sights, then rent a car and drive to St. Remy<<

Aix & the Marseille airport are very close to each other. I would just rent a car at the Marseille airport instead of getting to the train station, waiting for a train, then taking the train to Aix. You have a VERY short trip - don't waste any time "in transit"

>>Then we would return the rental car in St. Remy and take the train to Arles.<<

There is no train station in St Remy. Arles is about 30 mins away by car. Drive to Arles. You need to get a good map!!!

Stu Dudley

BTW, I hope your "day" in Aix is not a Sunday - when all the shops will be closed (my wife's favorite shopping town in Provence).

Stu Dudley

Great advice! I'll get in touch with Auto Europe. Wasn't sure who to use, so that is very helpful info. And I didn't realize there wasn't a train station in St. Remy, Stu, so that answers that question. Your advice to pick up the car in Marseille, rather than schlepping ourselves to the train station makes total sense. It will be easier just to keep it the entire 3 days.

We will be arriving Aix on a Thursday, so we are in luck!!! My husband will be thrilled to hear we aren't missing a shopping opportunity!

Does the rental car company provide a good map, or is there one in particular you would suggest, Stu? Got me a little nervous about finding our way!

Thanks!

>>>We will be arriving Aix on a Thursday, so we are in luck<<

If you get to Aix by 10:30 you can catch some of their market - which is quite good.

Try to find Michelin Map #113 on the internet.

Stu Dudley

Awesome! Thanks again!

I also need help with a room choice at Mas des Carassins in St. Remy. They have offered a deluxe room with a larger terrace or a suite-larger room than deluxe- but with a smaller terrace/balcony and about 20 euro more a night. Hmmmm. I believe I read one of the suite rooms has a loft, which my husband and I don't need, but it might be nice to have more space in the room. I can't seem to get a direct answer from the hotel, so I thought I'd see if anyone out there has stayed in either type room. Thanks!