We are going to celebrate my 50th birthday. We are debating between spending 4 or 5 days in Loire,which we've been to, and Provence, which we've never been to. Any suggestions for preferences? We love wandering around villages, great meals, comfortable hotels. intesting sites. We don't want to veg out - we want to go places and see things. Eating good is very important. Any hotel recommendation for a really special occasion at either? Thanks for you help.

We're headed back to France again this year; been to the Loire region, and Provence, but we're returning to Provence. Check out the web site for La Rivolte in Grasse- WONDERFUL place- and ask for the Jasmine room- <BR>We're actually going through a different part of Provence this year, then heading to Barcelona, then north, but skipping the Loire. We did enjoy our stay there before, but Provence gets our vote.

Eating Good? Well, whatever....if you've been to the Loire, then go to Provence for completely different scenery and a totally different culinary experience. You won't regret it. I doubt there's a single American who's gone to Provence and come home with anything less than great memories (even if it's not my favorite region o France, I can well appreciate its charms).

Provence, definitely Provence. <BR> <BR>StCirq, out of curiousity, what's your favorite region in France, the Dordogne? (I've yet to visit there, but plan to on my next trip to France.)

Capo: Yes, the Dordogne, without a moment's hesitation. Why else would I have bought a house there? I do love Provence and have a friend with a great olive mill/B&B there and grow to appreciate the area more and more every time I go to visit her, but give me the lush green valleys of the Dordogne, the history, the cuisine, the fact that it's hard to get to (love that - no relatives dropping in at a moment's notice), the people, the terrain....need I go on? Before I bought the place, I'd traveled in a spiral all through France, from the north to south...landed in the Dordogne and said "this is for me." There are many places in France I love - parts of Normandy, Brittany, the Pays Basque, Alsace, Burgundy, but none grabbed me like the Dordogne. I was, as the French say, craquée!!

Pat, I love both regions. However, for most times of the year (August excluded) I'd vote for Provence as well. I loved staying at the Jules Cesar in Arles, which is a charming small town. I have heard (and seen on this board) wonderful comments about Villa Gallici in Aix, Oustau de Baumaniere in Beaux-de-Provence, and La Mirande in Avignon as splurges for special occasions. Otherwise, there are many other places like the Jules Cesar (Le Pigonnet or Mas d'Entremont in Aix, Hotel d'Europe in Avignon) that might be just a notch down in price and quality, but great lodgings nonetheless. <BR> <BR>Have a great trip. (Six of us will be in Provence in October; can't wait). <BR> <BR>StCirq: A quick note. I share your high opinion of Dordogne. Went there last year and loved it. Talked (not sure how seriously) about buying a place there. Would love to hear more about where you bought, what you bought and how you went about doing so. Feel free to contact me directly by e-mail if you wouldn't mind sharing a few comments. (Or direct me somewhere here if you have already shared this info with Fodor's users). <BR> <BR>Thanks. <BR> <BR>john

Thanks, StCirq. Yes, that certainly would explain why you bought a house there (I didn't know that; I've just seen you mention the Dordorgne quite a few times, so I guessed that must be your favorite region.) <BR> <BR>One of my best friends, who shares my love of France, visited the Dordogne about eight years ago and told me how wonderful he thought it was. I've been meaning to get there -- and almost did on my trip to France in 1998 -- but I keep getting drawn back to Provence. I think I'd love the lush green valleys in the Dordogne too. <BR> <BR>I'd have to say though, if I could afford it, I'd buy a house somewhere near Nice just because I'd love being close to a larger city like Nice, as well as the ocean, the Alps, and Italy. But who knows? Maybe once I finally visit the Dordogne, it will sweep me off my non-athletic-shoe-clad feet. :~) <BR> <BR>Thanks again for your comments.