I'm thinking we'll actually only have 1 real day in Marseille, since we'll get there at night (perhaps for dinner, perhaps after), then have a full day, then just have the next morning to pack up and get on the train. Should we visit Avignon before the vineyards though on Tuesday so that we can see the market, or will the Ile sur La Sorgue market be enough marketing for one short trip (esp given that my husband hates shoppint)

If you're planning on visiting Beaucastel as your winery experience (they have an excellent tour - and they let you taste the good stuff), then I think the schedule (morning or afternoon) of that tour (in English) will dictate your itinerary for that day. I've never been to the market in Avignon - except the "les Halles" daily (except Monday) covered market. I suspect that the l'Isle sur la Sorgue market will satisfy your market visiting needs.

Stu Dudley

Does anyone have any suggestions for a scenic driving route to get from Avignon/St. Remy back to Marseille? Is there a way to do it where you get views of the water or even a bit of the calanques? Is there a route that I can adapt from Stu's document?

It's difficult to see the calanques unless you hike over to the ridge near the sea or go out in a boat--there really aren't any roads that go very close.

You could, however, get a view of the Mediterranean by taking the N570 south from Avignon to Arles and than the N568 to Marseille. That route will take you past the Golfe de Fos, and at Martiques you could take one of the smaller roads right down to the coast; those would eventually get you to Marseille.

From Marseille itself there are many excellent views, especially the one from the plaza by Notre-Dame-de-Gard.

I just heard back from Beaucastel and they said that they have an English tour at 2:30 on the Tuesday that we'll be in the CdP region. Our plan was to visit vineyards and see Avignon that day. Will we have enough time in the morning in Avignon if Beaucastel is the first vineyard we visit? Or, would it be better to spend the morning in CdP, have lunch, and have Beaucastel be the last vineyard we visit before heading to Avignon. Will museums, shops, sites, etc. be open late enough? Should I try to see if Beaucastel has either an earlier or later tour that day? Do they have a set schedule or is it scheduled based on demand? Thanks again!

I'll re-state what's in the itinerary I sent you.

Wineries in France are not as accommodating as ones in the US (I live near San Francisco & have visited hundreds of wineries here). Beaucastel has the best & most complete winery/vineyards/caves tour I've encountered in France. I think you should visit Beaucastel & that's it for the wineries. Beaucastel and another winery will consume the entire afternoon. The Pont, a winery, and Avignon would be a great plan for the day. The Pont, and 2 wineries would be a tad redundent.

If you get to the Pont du Gard as soon as it opens (9am), visit the Pont & museum, have lunch at the museum cafeteria, leave at 1:30 for the 2:30 tour (allocate some time to get lost, but study the map real good ahead of time). Finish the tour at 4:00, arrive to Avignon and arrive at 4:30 - you'll have a busy but very enjoyable day. The Palais du Papes in Avignon closes at 5:45 in March, and 7:00 in April - according to my Michelin Guide. Last admission is 1 hr before closing time. Stores will stay open till 8 or so.

Stu Dudley

Stu - sorry if I seem a bit confused re: planning. Originally you had suggested seeing the Pont and Uzes in the same day, which makes a lot of sense to me since they're so close. Since the Pont is open Monday, and it looks like shops in Uzes will be open Monday afternoon, I was thinking of doing those two together on Monday. My sense is that trying to add Beaucastel onto a day with both of those stops would be a bit too crazed? In that case, assuming I visit those areas the day before, I was thinking of splitting my time on Tuesday between Avignon and the Dentelles/wine country drive section from your guide. I've actually just been trying to cut things, as per your suggestions. I was thinking Les Baux/St. Remy first day, L'Ile sur la Sorgue/Luberon the second, Pont/Uzes the third, Avignon/wine country the fourth, and then Marseille the fifth (cutting out Aix, Arles, Nimes).

>>an English tour at 2:30 on the Tuesday that we'll be in the CdP region.<<

I got confused. Somehow I intrepreted the CdP as the Pont du Gard. Now I see it's Chateauneuf du Pape.

Your plan will work fine.

Stu Dudley

thanks - no problem. I emailed Fabrice at Beaucastel just to inquire if there is a morning or later afternoon tour, just b/c it would make organizing the day a bit easier, but I let him know that if not, we're still definitely in for the 2:30 and will work around his schedule.

Just out of curiosity, do you have any suggestions for olive mill tours/tastings in the Les Baux area?

Nope - but I've seen several posts from people who have.

Stu Dudley

Stu's advice is sound. Personally I'm a Slow Traveler so 5 days in Provence would freak me out. In Uzes the restaurant Les Fontaines was very good. The market there is the best I've been to. Best wishes on your marriage.

Ok - I just received an email from the Uzes tourism office that said that shops, museums, etc. will all be closed on Easter Monday. Other than visiting the Pont du Gard, are there any other recommendations for places, towns, etc. that will be open that Monday?

Take a scenic drive in the countryside. I just enhanced my Provence itinerary with 2 new drives. Also, consider taking the Lavender Route in the itinerary. e-mail me at [email protected] if you want a copy of this new itinerary.

There is a very nice Monday morning market in Bedoin - check with the tourist office there to make sure it's still on for Monday. All three drives mentioned above could be started from Bedoin - including a drive up Mt Ventoux.

See what's happening in Les Baux on Monday. The stores might be open then and according to my Michelin Guide, the castle ruins are open - but check just to make sure.

Stu Dudley