Provence-Where should we stay?
 

We are planning on spending 4 nights in Provence in September and will have a car. We are unsure of where the best place to stay is. We tend to follow Karen Brown and Relais & Chateaux, but there are so many choices and we don't know the area. I am totally confused after searching the forum as to where we should stay. We would like something very "Provencal" with a nice view and large, nice rooms. We do not like "stuffy or snobby" hotels, but "friendly". We would prefer to not stay in a large city, but either the countryside or a smaller village. Can anyone please help. Thank you.

I have been hoping to get a first-hand report from this place, in Aix-en-Provence: <BR> <BR>www.campagne-jeanne.com <BR> <BR>Want to go file one for us? <BR> <BR>Best wishes, <BR> <BR>Rex

We loved Auberge de Noves (Relais & Chateaux) outside Avignon. It seemed to be a good location for day trips, and we enjoyed the restaurant. <BR> <BR>

I have been fully intending to write a post and rave about La Campagne Jeanne, outside Aix en Provence, since we stayed there three nights last June (99). We had a car (necessary) and took day trips to the Luberon, Bonnieux, Roussilon, Cassis, etc. We stayed in the room named Le Mazet, which cost 340 F (at that time about $55/night). Their Web site (www.campagne-jeanne.com)is really well done, and gives you all the information you need as far as location, breakfast, and even glimpses of the individual rooms. You can get a good sense for the style, which is incredibly clean, crisp, beautifully coordinated, and, yes, very Provencal. The bathrooms were all-white and brand new. We loved the tile floors and walls tinted with ochre from Rousillon. Martine is a wonderful host, although she speaks very little English (and we very little French). Her husband must have the language skills behind the Web site! The slight language barrier wasn't a problem at all, and she provided us with lots of maps and dining recommendations in Aix. Their living area in the farmhouse looked gorgeous--as much as we loved our room, I kept wanting to explore the rest of the house! La Campagne Jeanne is not luxurious,however, so don't expect a Relais & Chateaux-type experience. But it you want privacy, fields and beautiful sunsets, a charming Provencal host and atmosphere, a private terrace, a lovely breakfast, all at an eminently reasonable price, I highly recommend it.

Thank you everybody for your suggestions. We will be traveling with our infant daughter (20 months), so we are looking for a larger room so that she will have room to move. Although we often enjoy smaller bed and breakfast type places, it seems somewhat unfair to take a toddler into someone's small home/inn. This trip, we are looking in the 4 star range so that she will have plenty of room. Thanks again.

Marty, <BR> <BR>Thank you so much for the direct report on campagne-jeanne. I might like to write to you directly, if that's okay. <BR> <BR>Can you answer two additional questions? I am thinking of this proprty for a group of six - - what did you mean by "I kept wanting to explore the rest of the house!" - - did you feel like this would not be welcome? - - in other words - - did you have NO access to the kitchen (storage, if not necessarily, actually cooking) <BR> <BR>Secondly - - you mention that a car is necessary - - but for three couples sharing a car (van) - - is there ANYthing accessable within walking distance if one couple wants to "stay behind" at times, while the car is in use by the other two? Bakeries? Lunch places? Markets or shops? <BR> <BR>I realize that these questions could be addressed to the property directly, but it's one of the great things about this board - - to be able to ask fellow travelers directly. <BR> <BR>Best wishes, <BR> <BR>Rex

<BR>Marty: <BR>While you are answering the questions posed by Rex, would you please answer mine, also. I, too, have looked at the website and am wondering if they have twin-bedded rooms. Thanks. Boots

Rex: <BR> <BR>We didn't inquire about kitchen access at La Campagne-Jeanne, so I'm really not sure, but you could certainly ask them via e-mail. The way the house is structured, each of the guest rooms has a private entrance around the side or back, which is why we didn't explore the main house/living quarters of Martine, et al. We ate breakfast each day with the other guests outside on the back patio, so we really didn't spend much time in the rest of the house, although we could see Martine's wonderful cook's kitchen (she gives lessons in Provencal cooking--didn't have time, unfortunately)and living room and steps leading up to the rest of their quarters. So in many ways it is like a small inn, with the separate entrances, which was great with us, as I'm not a big traditional B&B person. I felt as though we had a great deal of privacy both from Martine's family and the other guests, but it would also work well with two or more couples travelling together. Unfortunately, there really wouldn't be much for the person "left behind" to do other than lounge and read. From the center of Aix, it's down a boulevard, then out on a little highway, then down a dirt road. So it's beautiful and quiet out in the fields, but on the outskirts of Aix, and not within walking distance to shops, bakeries, etc. Perhaps you could rent a bike? <BR> <BR>Boots: Our room had a double bed, and I believe the others all do too. <BR> <BR>