Provence in early May q's
 

First, thanks to all who answered my thread about 12 nights, whether you'd stay in Paris, do Paris/Provence, or Paris/Amsterdam, and how you'd divide the time if you did two locations. We've decided on Paris/Provence and I'm a very happy camper!

One q I have is whether or not our trip being in early May, would affect anyone's recommendation on where to base. I've read many threads, and St. Remy seems to get a lot of votes, tho' there are individual votes for Roussilon, Arles, Uzes, and Isle-Sur-la-Sorgue. Knowing we'll be too early for lavender or poppy fields (tho' I hope to see some sprouting), I wondered if that changes anything.

Also, we're thinking to follow recs some of you made and train to Provence immediately upon arrival in Paris, so we don't end up with one night in Paris at the end. How much time would you allow from time of plane landing, to time of train reservation?

Finally, I'm wondering if there'd be any chance of a noticeable difference in scenery between starting in Provence May 7, or heading there a week later (I know where I live, a week can make a big difference with what flowers are out). No reservations are made yet, so we could still change our minds and do Paris first.

Thanks in advance, I'm very excited about this trip and enjoying having time to plan ahead, which for varied reasons it seems I haven't had in a long time!

Allow 2.5 hours minimum to get on the TGV at CDG, and that assumes you've bought PREMS and are ready to jump on the train and don't need to stand in the guichet lines.

A week won't make much difference at all in May (or any other time). It's weather. It's different from year to year.

Your list of possible places to stay includes cities, towns, and villages. I think you need to sort out which of those types of places appeals to you most before you settle on a spot for accommodation. There's a big difference among them.

Pardon my ignorance but what is a guichet line? I started with my very first French cd in car today, so my vocab is quite limited :-)

Since we'll have city time in Paris, I'm thinking town for Provence, but large enough to have some restaurants and shops.

unfortunately some restaurants my not be open for the season in May, but I love Provence any season/

We stayed at a beautiful gite in Saint Saturnin les Apt. It was the perfect location for day trips in ever direction. I started a TR , not done yet, but there's info on it. Click my name.

http://www.accommodationinprovence.com/