Hi. I know this has been done so many times, but I'm halfway thru my planning. I'm sort of basing schedule around markets and we'll be based in sT. Remy (as of 7/1). So far I have Friday -Carpentras mkt; Sat --Aix Sunday-L'Isle Sur La SOrgue. Monday is open so far. I want to do everything I can in the afternoons--including rousillon, les Baux, Gordes, Vaison La Romaine, etc. Can anyone please tell me what is doable on which days given the morning mkt. schedule? THANKS!!

You could certainly do Les Baux after the (Wednesday) St-Rémy market, and probably the Pont du Gard as well. I'm no expert on the other towns you mention.

But do you really want to go to market three or more days in a row in the same area? You realize many of the same vendors selling the same wares will be there....I mean, I'm a market lover, but I wouldn't want to do three days in a row, let alone more, unless I were a writer on assignment or a restaurant owner.

The drive up to Vaison and back will take more than a half day if you're planning to see the Roman arena and ruins of the town. Going up from Isle sur la Sorgue would be best, and you could take the motorway back.

After Carpentras you could visit the Lubéron towns: Roussilon, Gordes, Ménerbes, perhaps Oppède-le-Vieux (which also has a market). However, by visiting all those markets you are going to have to leave out some of the most interesting spots in the area--St.Rémy (another market!), the Pont du Gard, and Arles. I'd do just two markets and visit the one in Arles (on Saturday) instead of Aix, which is on the other side of the area you'll be visiting.

I think what we have here is Market Madness ! \/

Sorry, I guess I've been watching too much basketball.....

I appreciate the input. I was wondering the same thing about over-marketing. Someone told me that the market in aix is amazing and then I read somewhere else that the one in Carpentras is amazing! We arrive in St Remy on a thursday and leave for St. Jean Cap Ferrat on the next Tuesday so I'll miss the Weds. market. I am sort of a market rat but I'm sure my husband would appreciate me cutting one out. But the question is....which one do I omit-- Carpentras or Aix??????

OK- I also have another question. Since we leave on tues. to drive to Cap Ferrat, which I guess is at least 3-4 hours (it'll be early July) is there someplace you could recommend stopping along the way so we dont just use the whole day up travelling??? I am getting so excited!

You could go by way of Le Lavandou and visit the very charming small town of Bormes-les-Mimosa, perched atop a hill with views across to the Mediterranean. It's a delightful spot to wander around, have a meal, and check out the excellent shops. Bormes is not unlike Carmel, CA: small houses, lovely flowers spilling down the walls, good restaurants. From Borme you could continue east along the coastal road--rather slow going, but beautiful--or head north to pick up the autoroute to the Nice area.

Ibrawer -

Friday - market in Carpentras, then on to Vaison as you will be heading in that direction.

Sunday - market in Isle-Sur-S., then on to Gordes, Roussillon which are right nearby.

Tuesday - stop in Aix on the way to the coast for the market and lunch.

I like your idea of visitng the markets in the morning, then a bit of sightseeing in the afternoon. Don't forget you'll be marketing in beautiful and interesting spots anyway, so your husband, for example, can always find a nice spot to hang out if he gets too much Market Madness.... that's what I do when my wife really gets going!

I know a great restauraunt in Carpentras, by the way, if you are interested. It's called Chez Serge. Not overly expensive, great atmosphere, right near the market. Just try to reserve when you get to town as it's always busy and on market days, booked solid.

And as for market madness, we kind of got into this subject over on slow travelers the other day - you may want to check out the thread. I'd say doing the three you mentioned is not overloading - especially since Isle-S-S and Carpentras have a big focus on antiques, whereas Aix is more fabrics,food,flowers. The flower section in Aix in front of the Hotel de Ville is a true feast for the eyes -

Bon voyage and enjoy.

Goodness! I'm nowhere near fine tuning my itinerary, but your posts got me so enthused I wish I could leave tomorrow. I'm not planning around any specific markets, but am hoping somewhere on the trip to be in the right place at the right time to see one. Are they only weekly? In Isle de Sorgue (sorry, spelling) if it's not market day at the time, are there still little antique stores?

First of all- you guys -you know who you are--are quite wonderful' All of your generous advice has made my planning a total joy- so thank you! That said, you NOW have me confused-- I like the idea of a Tuesday market and I thin Aix will be on the way to Nice altho I guess we'll just forget about sleeping past 6 am this trip. But Underhill got me all psyched for Bormes Les Mimosa now enroute to Cap Ferrat. Hmmm. Unless I skip Carpentras market (if its repetitive) and do the Aix on Saturday and then onto another village in the afternoon??? My husband and I worked something out last time (13 long YEARS AGO) wherein when I shopped, he checked out the food shops-- it worked perfectly. Now if only he could pick up the Mets I'd be all set.One more thing, since I almost never can post due to traffic--I live in manhattan where almost anything goes no matter what type of restaurants you go to with just a few exceptions. Are jackets and skirts still required for lets say one and two star restaurants????? I'm so excited I can hardly stand it.

If you visit Borme you can also do Hyères, which is a very pretty town, one of the villes fleuris. The old section is quite interesting, and there is good shopping to be had in the area. I bought some very nice fabric items there.

The market at L'Isle Sur La Sorgue should satisfy both of you. The market is set up so that there is a great selection of antique stalls along the river banks whilst if you go more into the town centre there are great food stalls. When we were there (September) miel (honey) was in plentiful supply as were great cheeses.

If you are self catering look out for the farmers stalls with fresh produce. We found Aubergines like footballs and capsicums (peppers) that were amazingly sweet.

Whatever market you go to you will have a great time just because in the main it is different.


Good travels

Steve

Like the robot said, "Johnny 5 need input..."

We're hiring a car on a Thursday (only) in late April in Monaco. Any of the perched villages have good Thursday markets? Not obsessive about it, just curious. Thx.