Have the opportunity to travel to France for 5 days 4-Sept through 9-Sept and was thinking about seeing some of Provence for the 1st time -- is it too late to book at charming but not super-expensive hotels? Also, how hot should I expect it to be, and is it completely unrealistic to make this short of a trip there? I've previously been to Paris, Champagne, Loire, Alsace, Burgundy, Bordeaux, Dordogne, and northern Brittany, but if it's too late/too crazy too make this trip to Provence work, I'll pick a different location if there are any suggestions... Thanks!

September is a great month to go. Given that, hotel avaiability is something you can check.

September in Provence is magical. St. Remy makes an ideal base. Try le Mas des Carassins for lodging - if you can get in, you'll be happy, happy, happy. Not super-expensive, but a great place. In our opinion, excellent qualite-prix and as you've travelled extensively in France you'll know what that means!
msm4

Thanks! Now the next question: I know I won't be able to see everything I want in my short timeframe and will have to come back but if I use one of those places as a base, what do you suggest as an itinerary? I would have nearly all day Monday and Tuesday-Friday (leave Sat). Big into wine and food, so am interested in don't-miss restaurants - and whatever else I shouldn't miss for my 1st trip there. Thanks!

Whoops - meant to say would use St-Remy or Gordes, I think, as a base...

The Fodor Guide to Provence and the Michelin Green Guide to Provence are both excellent resources to help you decide what you want to see. Have a look and then come back here with specific questions. The Michelin Guide includes suggested itineraries--very useful.

Can someone please tell me how far le Mas des Carassins is from town? Is it within walking distance? Thanks much!

Michelin Red Guide says it is 1 km

How about late October? Is that too late/too cold for Provence?

Swissgirl -

If you plan on swimming - yes it is too late. If you plan on sightseeing, enjoying the autumn colors and not having to deal with big crowds, than it is a good time to go.

-Kevin

Kevin,
thanks...is it too late to bike/hike? We are mostly looking to sight see but would like to squeeze in some hiking or biking if possible.

Bonjour Swiss -

Au contraire - it is a great time to hike and bike. Especially hiking. We do a lot of that around here and tend to go from end September through end May. The rest of the time it's just too hot.

One of the best hikes I've ever done was New Year's Eve Day a few years ago. Had a brilliantly blue sky and temps around 15 degrees - really made me realize why I had moved down here !

-Kevin

Bonjour Kevin (or Bonsoir!)
I am so looking forward to it now....you are so very lucky to live there. Are there any good hiking threads for Provence (or elsewehere!)on this site that you can point me to? Also, should St. Remy be our base? My husband is definitely interested in seeing Avignon, other than that we are mostly interested in enjoying villages, hiking, etc.

The best book I recommend for first time visitors to Provence is Fodors hard cover, beautifully photographed, "Escape to Provence."Hopefully you might find a copy at Amazon or other on line sites because it is no longer available.
It lists everything you should know, market days. distances and prices(at that time) and options. Fodors should have kept this book in print.

The St Rémy tourist office has hiking maps available for the trails through the Alpilles range (Baby Alps) just south of town. There are several great trails - from St. Rémy to Les Baux, for example.
I don't know if they're available on the website, but I've gotten them at the tourist office for guests of mine here.

http://www.saintremy-de-provence.com...lais/ssomm.htm

Bonsoir Swiss -

Here's a good article on hiking in the Luberon with a few hikes mapped out for you: http://slowtrav.com/france/hiking/luberon.htm

Although I am kind of partial to the Luberon, St. Remy and the Alpilles would also be a fine place to base yourself. From there you have easy access to Avignon, Arles, Nimes, Uzes, the Pont du Gard, etc. Also, as Patricia points out, there are great hiking trails in and around the Alpilles hills.

Enjoy...

-Kevin