Provence for 7 nights, already staying 4 in Saint-Etienne-du-Grès, where should we stay for the other 3 nights?
Apr 8th, 2004, 06:50 AM
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Provence for 7 nights, already staying 4 in Saint-Etienne-du-Grès, where should we stay for the other 3 nights?
First, let me just say that these boards are wonderful and I have gotten much more excited and inspired about my upcoming Paris/Provence trip from reading all of your posts. Why did I bother buying all those guidebooks?
We are spending 11 nights in France this coming September for our honeymoon, and want to spend the first week of our trip in Provence.
We're planning on staying 4 nights at Aux deux Soeurs http://www.auxdeuxsoeurs-provence.com/anglais.htm in Saint-Etienne-du-Grès (4 km from Saint-Rémy-de-Provence) because it came highly recommended by a friend and is close enough to both Arles and Avignon for day trips.
My question: Does anyone have suggestions for where we might stay in Provence the remaining three nights? I am curious to hear both about particular towns as well as hotel recommendations. We would like to be in a romantic and relaxed environment but we enjoy having some activities to do, like visiting historic sites or museums, eating out, shopping, browsing the markets, etc. Therefore, we don't want complete and total isolation. I have read nothing but good things about Uzes off these boards, as well as Roussillon and Bonnieux, but I'm really a true French beginner here (my fiancé and I have both been to Paris but nowhere else) so any suggestions greatly appreciated.
By the way, we will have a car - most likely we'll take the train from Paris to Provence and rent a car there.
(PS Though this is our honeymoon and we don't want bare bones, we are trying to stick to a budget of 100 EU or under for the night so we can splurge a little on our hotel for our final three nights in Paris before we fly back to NYC.)
Thank you so much in advance. And questions about NYC? Send them my way!
Andrea
We are spending 11 nights in France this coming September for our honeymoon, and want to spend the first week of our trip in Provence.
We're planning on staying 4 nights at Aux deux Soeurs http://www.auxdeuxsoeurs-provence.com/anglais.htm in Saint-Etienne-du-Grès (4 km from Saint-Rémy-de-Provence) because it came highly recommended by a friend and is close enough to both Arles and Avignon for day trips.
My question: Does anyone have suggestions for where we might stay in Provence the remaining three nights? I am curious to hear both about particular towns as well as hotel recommendations. We would like to be in a romantic and relaxed environment but we enjoy having some activities to do, like visiting historic sites or museums, eating out, shopping, browsing the markets, etc. Therefore, we don't want complete and total isolation. I have read nothing but good things about Uzes off these boards, as well as Roussillon and Bonnieux, but I'm really a true French beginner here (my fiancé and I have both been to Paris but nowhere else) so any suggestions greatly appreciated.
By the way, we will have a car - most likely we'll take the train from Paris to Provence and rent a car there.
(PS Though this is our honeymoon and we don't want bare bones, we are trying to stick to a budget of 100 EU or under for the night so we can splurge a little on our hotel for our final three nights in Paris before we fly back to NYC.)
Thank you so much in advance. And questions about NYC? Send them my way!
Andrea
Apr 8th, 2004, 07:39 AM
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How about staying up near Vaison la Romaine? The Roman ruins there are some of the best to be seen, and you could also visit Orange and see the Roman theater: amazing. The market in Nyons is famous, and so is the olive-oil produced in the region. In Vaison, the hotel Le Beffroi (the belfry) is perched atop the hill in the old village, and it gets consistently good recommendations.
The other possibility would be to stay somewhere in the Lubéron to see the charming villages of the region--and their markets. Many good restaurants there.
The other possibility would be to stay somewhere in the Lubéron to see the charming villages of the region--and their markets. Many good restaurants there.
Apr 8th, 2004, 08:29 AM
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Drelet~we have a trip in October planned for both Paris/Provence. We also decided to stay outside Bonnieux at a place called Trois Sources. Our room(which I think is mid-deluxe) is $95 (euros)Friends of ours had stayed there and loved it. You might also consider the "wine" country. These same friends return each time they go to France to a place called Les Florets in Gigondas. fax 4-90-65-83-80. Rooms are less than $100 US and there is a restaurant there they have raved about.
Apr 8th, 2004, 12:03 PM
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Joe
Really? I guess I have some of that crazy WHAT IF WE MISS SOMETHING tourist mentality. I guess I just want to make sure we have enough to do and see and thought I might need a location change.
Point taken, though. Hm.
Really? I guess I have some of that crazy WHAT IF WE MISS SOMETHING tourist mentality. I guess I just want to make sure we have enough to do and see and thought I might need a location change.
Point taken, though. Hm.
Apr 8th, 2004, 01:11 PM
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I think I would like to stay somewhere near here: http://www.provenceweb.com/04/relais/ukrestaurant.htm#
It is a place we seriously considered for our trip last year -- it is in a very different part of Provence (we also stayed in St Etienne du Gres -- indeed it was a PERFECT place to tour from.) But this suggested spot is in a very geographically different place, and you might enjoy it equally well. I adored Bonnieux as well, and that could be a neat place. OR you could travel down toward the sea and stay in St Paul de Vence...another place I've not been, but again quite different from your first base.
It is a place we seriously considered for our trip last year -- it is in a very different part of Provence (we also stayed in St Etienne du Gres -- indeed it was a PERFECT place to tour from.) But this suggested spot is in a very geographically different place, and you might enjoy it equally well. I adored Bonnieux as well, and that could be a neat place. OR you could travel down toward the sea and stay in St Paul de Vence...another place I've not been, but again quite different from your first base.
Apr 8th, 2004, 02:07 PM
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Drelet,
We stayed 8 nights/9days in Arles in Oct. 2002. Initially I had made a reservation for 4 nights - at Hotel Le Calendal. I had just figured it would be fun to mix it up and stay at another place. Finally I made the decision to stay in one spot. I was really glad that we did.
If you have a car, the distances are much closer than you think. It was just much easier to have a base - we didn't waste time packing and unpacking. From where you're staying - you will be able to drive to Aigue Mortes, Isle Sur La Sorgue, Arles, Avignon, Aix, Pont du Gard, even into the Luberon. The drives are easy and very picturesque and there are many cool little villages in between. Plus St. Remy has plenty to offer in regards to restaurants, shopping, sights, etc. when you just feel like hanging out. Paris will be exciting but also hectic. Provence will be more relaxing. Make it easy on yourselves. To each his/her own. Hey, whatever you do - it will be great and you will love it!
JoeG
We stayed 8 nights/9days in Arles in Oct. 2002. Initially I had made a reservation for 4 nights - at Hotel Le Calendal. I had just figured it would be fun to mix it up and stay at another place. Finally I made the decision to stay in one spot. I was really glad that we did.
If you have a car, the distances are much closer than you think. It was just much easier to have a base - we didn't waste time packing and unpacking. From where you're staying - you will be able to drive to Aigue Mortes, Isle Sur La Sorgue, Arles, Avignon, Aix, Pont du Gard, even into the Luberon. The drives are easy and very picturesque and there are many cool little villages in between. Plus St. Remy has plenty to offer in regards to restaurants, shopping, sights, etc. when you just feel like hanging out. Paris will be exciting but also hectic. Provence will be more relaxing. Make it easy on yourselves. To each his/her own. Hey, whatever you do - it will be great and you will love it!
JoeG
Apr 11th, 2004, 06:58 AM
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Thank you all very much. One last question, has anyone stayed at L'Eveche? web site: http://eveche.free.fr/uk_index.htm
It in in Vaison la Romaine and sounds lovely.
It in in Vaison la Romaine and sounds lovely.
Apr 11th, 2004, 08:45 AM
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Hi,
I can definately recommend a Juan-les-Pins & a hotel we stayed in last October.
It's called La Marjolaine and no-one outside France seems to know about this well kept secret.
Its at 15 Avenue du Docteur Fabre. Tel: 04 93 61 06 60. Fax
04 93 61 02 75.
If you've never driven round Juan-les-Pins, it's an experience as 90% of
the roads are one way but basically if you drive down the main road towards the sea front but take the 2nd left after
going under the bridge and go all the way along until you come to a
Moroccan restaurant on your left and turn left there, you're on the right
road.
Its a small hotel (18 rooms) on a quiet street and all the rooms are
beautifully and individually decorated with pretty wallpaper and curlicued iron light fittings etc, breakfast is E3.20 and includes freshly squeezed orange juice. It is taken on a sweet little patio at the front of the hotel. There is parking for approx 8-10 cars at
E2 a day.
The hotels rates are E57 for a double room with shower and toilet or E65 -
E68 with bath. Its a lovely 1920s/30s building and the rooms all have names such as Roses, L'Eglantine etc. Probably the nicest one is called
fable (I've forgotten the French word) It at the front with a lovely big
balcony.
If you want somewhere closer to the St Trop area, try the small town of Roquebrune-sur-Argens, 10km inland from Frejus. We rented an appartment there
but there are hotels in the area. It's a really unspoilt place with some fantastic restaurants at amazing prices.
Hope you have a great time. Fiona.
I can definately recommend a Juan-les-Pins & a hotel we stayed in last October.
It's called La Marjolaine and no-one outside France seems to know about this well kept secret.
Its at 15 Avenue du Docteur Fabre. Tel: 04 93 61 06 60. Fax
04 93 61 02 75.
If you've never driven round Juan-les-Pins, it's an experience as 90% of
the roads are one way but basically if you drive down the main road towards the sea front but take the 2nd left after
going under the bridge and go all the way along until you come to a
Moroccan restaurant on your left and turn left there, you're on the right
road.
Its a small hotel (18 rooms) on a quiet street and all the rooms are
beautifully and individually decorated with pretty wallpaper and curlicued iron light fittings etc, breakfast is E3.20 and includes freshly squeezed orange juice. It is taken on a sweet little patio at the front of the hotel. There is parking for approx 8-10 cars at
E2 a day.
The hotels rates are E57 for a double room with shower and toilet or E65 -
E68 with bath. Its a lovely 1920s/30s building and the rooms all have names such as Roses, L'Eglantine etc. Probably the nicest one is called
fable (I've forgotten the French word) It at the front with a lovely big
balcony.
If you want somewhere closer to the St Trop area, try the small town of Roquebrune-sur-Argens, 10km inland from Frejus. We rented an appartment there
but there are hotels in the area. It's a really unspoilt place with some fantastic restaurants at amazing prices.
Hope you have a great time. Fiona.
Apr 11th, 2004, 09:27 AM
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You are much better off splurging at a countryside hotel than one in Paris. Our Paris 2 star is 78 euros and fits our needs perfectly. The hotel we favor in Bonnieux is 350 euros [half board], and has all the ammenities one might expect, including a good restaurant.
While the St Remy area is popular as a base, I see it making no sense to use it as a base for the Luberon. Rather than commuting back and forth, it seems better to me to just relocate.
While the St Remy area is popular as a base, I see it making no sense to use it as a base for the Luberon. Rather than commuting back and forth, it seems better to me to just relocate.
Apr 11th, 2004, 05:02 PM
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Drelet, I'm staying at L'Eveche for 2 nights in May. I've seen it recommended several times, and it certainly does look lovely on their website. I'm also staying in St. Etienne-du-Gres for 5 nights (at the Presbytere St. Thomas).I'm staying in 4 different places, as I'll have 2 full weeks in Provence. Will post a report when I get back, and you can see how I liked L'Eveche. By the way, the couple who own it sound lovely - I've talked to both on the telephone.
