Provence / Rhone
 

Looking for advice for four nights in Provence, and yes I've searched the archives. Aix looks charming but we love Rhone wines (Gigondas, Chateauneuf du Pape, Vacquereyas) and want to wander this region. Although they're only three hours apart, not sure if this would be too much driving.

Thinking about a home base in Avignon, but wonder if this will be too much of a city?? Appears that St. Remy is a popular spot that might work? Any thoughts on "must see" sights in the area and hotel recs would be appreciated (we'll have a car and are looking in the $175 to $300 per night for hotel).

Thanks

Don't miss the Pont du Gard. It's amazing.

St. Remy is a less stressful place to stay unless you happen to like cities.

That said, if you like cities, go and enjoy either Avignon or Aix. It's a lovely area no matter where you stay.

We stayed in St Remy and took an afternoon trip up to Chateauneuf-du-Pape for a tasting at Chateau Beaucastel. You have to book ahead for them. We had a lovely lunch in Chateauneuf-du-Pape at Le Verger du Chateauneuf-du-Pape.
Also if you are into wine try the Chateau Romanin wines from around St Remy especially the roses which are not in the American style. You can visit the winery if you like them-a beautiful place. Have fun.

Avignon or St-Rémy would make a good base for visiting the Rhône wine areas - it's only a 45-minute drive or so to Gigondas, Vaqueyras, Châteauneuf-du-Pape, etc. I did that trip a week ago. Be advised, however, that those towns are teeny, with virtually nothing in them but wine stores. The wines themselves are a lot bigger than the towns.

If you want to stay in Gigondas, there's a lovely hotel with terrace dining in a beauriful location
"Les Florets."

Vaison-la-Romaine would be an excellent base. The town is not-too-big/not-too-small, with some interesting historical sites (Roman ruins, medieval castle), fun shops, and decent restaurants.

It's really close to Gigondas, Vacqueryas, Beaumes-de-Venise, Rasteau, Cairanne, Seguret, Visan, Rousseau (Coteaux du Tricastin), the Cote de Ventoux vineyards, Suze-la-Rousse with its Universite du Vin, and not too far from Chateauneuf-de-Pape and towns like Lirac and Tavel. Even the Cote de Luberon vineyards are do-able. And if you're really ambitious, you could take a day trip to the Northern Rhone and visit the Hermitage or St. Joseph vineyards.

Thanks for the advice. Les Florets looks charming as does Vaison-la-Romaine. We've done further research and Aix sounds larger than we thought. Looking for more the smaller medieval towns similar to a Cortona and Gigondas and Vaison-la-Romaine sound perfect.

When we were planning our trip, I contacted Les Florets. At that time, they required visitors to take full pension, which we weren't interested in doing (we wanted to eat as we were out and about in various areas).

Here are two nice places to stay in the Medieval part of Vaison: L'Eveche (smaller and less expensive than your budget, probably about 100-120 euros a night) and Le Belfroi. Both are in excellent locations.

I'll try to find a link to L'Eveche's web site (that's where we stayed), which includes a nice review from Gourmet magazine.

Someone also recommended a place in Seguret to me. When I'm at home this weekend, I can look through my files and find that name for you.

Other daytrips for you (I have no more trips planned for this year, so I love this vicarious planning!) could include the Costiere de Nimes area near the coast, as well as Lunel and Aigues Mortes (muscats and "sand wines").

We stayed at the Hostellerie du Beffroi in Vaison-la-Romaine last week - charming place. There are only a couple of restaurants in the upper medieval village, the Beffroi's dining room being one of them, but there are plenty to choose from in the lower town.

Here's that L'Eveche link:

http://eveche.free.fr/

If you decide to stay in St. Remy, look into La Maison a Bournissac. It is a beautiful inn (w/restaurant, pool & glorious view) just outside of town. We stayed there last May and were very satisfied. If memory serves, we took a day trip to Chateauneuf-du-Pape, had a lovely lunch up on the hill in the town center, and strolled the "wine shops" in this tiny town. Our one vineyard stop was at the very elegant Chateau La Nerthe. You might also want to consider Chateau Taulaud in Loriol du Comtat, which is nearer to the vineyards. It looks to be a very upscale B&B, well located for wine country. Both hotels have detailed websites. Enjoy!

In Chateauneuf du Pape there is the Chateau Fines Roches, a wonderful place to stay or stop for lunch.
The Bellfroi in Vaison...is also a great stop for drinks on the terrace overlooking the town below.

Elle, how did you like L'Eveche? I have a reservation to stay there in May. Had a hard time deciding between it and Le Beffroi.