Provence/French Rivera
 

First of all thanks to all of you great people for all your wonderful advice.
We can have free nites at the Marriott in the French Rivera would that be very far from St. Remy/Provence???
Yes, for sure we would take the train, and then rent a car.
thanks again, jobie

In which town on the French Riviera is the Marriott? Nice, Cannes, other? For how many days will you be there?

If I recall correctly, the train from Paris (that is where you will be coming from?) to Avignon is quick, but runs "local" to Nice.

Driving from, I assume Nice, to St. Remy is about 2-1/2, but closer to 3-hrs. Do you plan to do this as a day-trip? or after spending time on the Cote d'Azur and then ending in the St. Remy area for a few days, returning from Avignon to Paris?

You notice "I'm assuming a lot" as you haven't provided much information.

The Marriott is in Monaco.
We would be there 4 days.
I just don't know if we should go there,or just go to St. Remy.
I just do not know if staying at the Marriott and then driving all over would be smart. Sorry for so much confusion

Since the Marriot is in Monaco, which isn't part of the French Riviera let alone close to St.-Rémy, you'll have to decide whether you want to stay at the Marriot and visit places like Nice and the hill-top villages in that area or stay near St.-Rémy. Trying to do both in 4 days would really keep you on the run.

I agree with Underhill. St. Remy might be doable but certainly a full days effort. It would be advisable to chose one area or the other. There is good train service to a number of places along the coast. Why St.Remy ?

Monaco and St-Rémy could hardly be more different. Monaco is all beach and glitz and casinos. St-Rémy is a typical provençal village with a good bit of historical and cultural interest, set in the alpilles. Totally different geography, scenery, "feel," etc. I think you need to pick one or the other depending on your tastes - you can't realistically travel between them for daytrips.

Sorry we want St. Remy, we will get a car a go from there. Now we need a hotel or B&B. Don't know where we will stay, but will check the message boards on that. thanks again for all your help.
(one of my reasons for picking Provence is because of the flowers, hope some will be blooming in the first week of May)thanks for everyones help. jobie

What's your price range for St.-Rémy lodgings? You might try a search, as this question comes up over and over.

Dear Underhill,
Our price range is hopefully not over $200.00.
thanks again!

I cna recommend two very different places that we've stayed, both under the same French/English management. The first is the Château de Roussan, a real 18th-century château, located on the beautiful road leading from St.-Rémy toward Avignon. Rooms are around $110. The hotel is basically "shabby chic," as a poster said a while back, but we found it charming. Not all the bathrooms have been brought up to a good standard, however, so ask when you book. The ground-floor room is fairly modern and has a good bathroom. The hotel has no pool, but a little canal winds through the property, and you will meet cats, dogs, swans, and geese. There's a very nice area for sitting outside and a small, good restaurant.

The other property is the Domaine de Valmouriane, a more upscale operation on one of the roads to Les Baux. It has a parking lot that's locked at night, which is very useful in this area. There's a lovely pool, woods to sit in, even a real swing; the ground-floor rooms are good sized and have tile floors and marble baths--and private patios in front. We paid around $150 about 1-1/2 years ago. The hotel's restaurant is very good, but it's an easy drive into St.-Rémy for more options.

Underhill,
Thank you again for replying to all my questions.
We can stay at either of your suggestions. BUT--- my next question (which should of been my first) Where would you stay?(not Too much counting $$) (In that area)
Also heard you speek about Cap Ferret, I do not know if I am spelling that correctly, but, just want to know your first choice. thank you, Jobie

Are you speaking of the Marriott in Cap D'Ail?

St.-Jean-Cap-Ferrat is a lovely peninsula east of Nice, filled with elaborate houses most of which are hidden by large trees, unfortunately. But you can visit the Ephrussi-Rothschild museum, which is beautiful and has a fine collection of furniture and objets d'art, along with a series of lovely gardens.

As for which hotel in St.-Rémy, when would you be staying? If it's in the warmer months, then the Domaine de Valmouriane, as the Château de Roussan doesn't have a/c, just very thick walls.

jobie -

Glad you clarified Monaco. So I have to agree with the others that either you stay along the Cote d'Azur and enjoy the cities and hilltowns or go to St. Remy area. You wouldn't be able do all of this in 4-days and enjoy much of anything. You'd be spending most time in the car.

I need a lot of help. I have never been to France and basically know nothing, so you will all probably think I'm pretty stupid, but we are wondering about spending our 25th anniversary at the Marriott in Monaco. What is the weather like in April? Would we fly into Paris. Is Monaco a good choice or would there be a better choice? We are looking to spend 10 days. Thank you for any help you can give me.

Shelly,

I think 10 days is probably too long to stay in Monaco. There are better places to base yourself along the coast or further inland as well. Will you have a rental car? And what are you interested in seeing and doing?

My wife and I just got back from a two week visit to Provence and we split our time between Aix and a small village in the Luberon - I find 4-7 day stays in any one spot to be ideal. Gives you a chance to visit different areas without doing too much packing and unpacking....

Weather in April in Provence should be pretty good, though I doubt you'll be doing much swimming!