Our rough plans are 3 nights in Paris, take the train to Avignon, 5 nights in Provence, then train it to Nice for 3 nights. Arriving in Avignon we would get a rental car for five days and explore Provence. I’ve read some great ideas on Fodor’s and Rick Steve’s and I am thinking about 2 nights in the Roussillon area, possibly staying at Mas Perreal in St Saturnin les Apt, then three nights in Vaison la Romaine at L Eveche. I wonder if I’m making it too difficult to visit Les Baux or St Remy. I don’t really have an interest in seeing Arles or Avignon. Being our first visit to Provence, we simply want to enjoy the small towns, villages and countryside. Would it be foolish to pass up Les Baux or St. Remy? My other thought is to stay all five night in Vaison la Romaine and use that as our hub for five nights.

Also are there any recommendations to stay in Roussillon? I know Hotel Reves d’Ocres has been recommended but I found some reviews on Trip Advisor that make me question the hotel.

Any help or recommendations for the above would be appreciated.

driving is easy to get to those places for part of a day trip.
We did it often. See Les Baux late in the day after the daytrippers are gone so it's lest crowded and you can enjoy its odd beauty. If you visit roussillon wear old shoes because if you visit the ocher quarries, your shoes will get messy. Other villages I suggest Bonnieux, Lourmatrin, Oppede de vieux(sp)

We've vacationed 4 weeks near Roussillon, 4 weeks near St Remy, 4 weeks near Uzes, and 8 weeks near Vaison.

Roussillon & Vaison is a great idea. You can easily get to St Remy & les Baux from the Roussillon area.

Why would you take a train to Nice - you can get there faster by car & perhaps stop in Aix or a few other cute-little-villages along the way. It's actually a scenic drive on the freeway too. Keep the car for the first & second day in Nice & visit St Paul, Vence, Tourrettes, Gourdon, etc by car.

Stu Dudley

Hi; Can't add too much to what Stu has already said, but Eze, near Nice is another great village to visit. iris1745/dick

Thank you everyone for responding. Stu, I did reveiw your Provence report and it was very helpful and full of great ideas.

We stayed at a B&B just outside Isle sur La Sorge. It was a great location for visiting the hill towns and Vaison. Unfortunately I think it is now closed. Isle sur la Sorge would make a great base however. We drove to Nice(easy) and stayed in a B&B just outside Tourettes sur la loupe. We would drive into Vence,park the car, and take the bus into Nice. There is a great restaurant in Tourettes. Can't remember the name. Would be easy to find walking around Tourettes.(Tourettes is not very big)

leuk, which one is closed? I have stayed at a few through many visits to Provence

Don't miss Arles! It's very scenic. You could do Arles and les Baux in one day. I didn't drive there, though. I went via bus. It was one of the most memorable days I had when I lived in Provence!

I stayed a week in Provence last year and liked Avignon as much as the any of small towns. Oppede de vieux was one of my favorites with hardly any tourists.