We will be in Provence for 10 days in September and are looking for those special things that may or may not be in the guide books. We are staying outside Beaucaire for one week (about 15 miles north of Arles). I know that some of the guide books are great but sometimes a personal experience by someone gives a more accurate view of what to see or not to bother with. Also, we are staying in Cassis for 2 days. We will have a car, and do want to limit our drive to no more than 60 to 90 minutes in any one direction from both locations. I thank you all in advance. <BR>

My first trip to Provence, I spent two days in Cassis, much more civilized than St. Tropez, friendlier atmosphere. It was the first time I tasted oursin, which is sea urchins in there half shell. They may be in season. Driving inland to all the villages was always a delight, especially for me who sought out the houses with the cadran soleils(I hope I spelled that correctly) They are hand painted sun dials and are mostly in the Var. I also seek out, the Camponiles, these are lacey wrought iron bell towers designed for the mistral to pass through without damaging the roof tops. From Beaucaire, It is worth driving a few miles more to see the Camargue with it's pink flamingoes, wild white horses, and black bulls exciting sightsalso bird sancuaries.

Close to Beaucaire, in Boulbon, you will find the Saint-Michel de Frigolet Abbey, founded in the mid 12th Century. A charming place to spend an afternoon. <BR> <BR>Just across the river from Beaucaire, visit the chateau on the river in Tarascon.... perhaps on a Tuesday when they also have the outdoor market there. <BR> <BR>The Pont du Gard is less than 45 minutes from Beaucaire, and Uzes is a town (about fifteen minutes from there) worth visiting. <BR> <BR>Aigues Mortes in the Camargue is also within your driving times... <BR> <BR>Further to the east, Rousillon in the Luberon is beautiful, sitting atop the red ochre cliffs. <BR> <BR>PB <BR> <BR>

From personal experience, I second PBProvence's mention of the Pont du Gard, Uzes, and Rousillon. I'd also highly recommed a visit to Aix-en-Provence.

I was driving in and around Cassis, and stumbled upon Les Calanques...dramatic vertical white cliffs that drop down to incredibly deep blue/green turquoise water and hidden boat harbours. <BR> <BR>I parked and hiked through clifftop trees over smooth stone (sometimes sure footing was iffy)along the top edge that rimmed the sea and eventually ended down at the sea level at a remote inlet with a sandy beach and fabulous swimming and boating etc.. <BR> <BR>I believe the correct spelling of the inlet was 'En Vau'... I read later that in the 1990's a cave was found with the entrance 118ft below the sea and decorated with prehistoric animal paintings like those found in Lascaux. <BR> <BR>It truly was beautiful but finding it by accident was even better! <BR> <BR>Another place that is a bit touristy, is the Pont du Gard... but I do love driving to the morning market in Uzes to buy picinic supplies (roast chicken, cheese, bread, picholine olives) and driving to the Pont du Gard and after parking, walking past the place where you can walk out onto the pont itself...follow the path down through a thin layer of trees to the river edge and put out my blanket to spend the day there. The skies are usually clear bright and blue, and when it got too hot, I swam in the river under those enormous arches and others had climbed up and were jumping off. I never found where they were rented, but people were kayaking and canoeing alogn the river as well... <BR> <BR>I often imagine myself there in those two places there when sitting at my desk at work! <BR> <BR>Bon voyage!