Provence with grandchildren
 

I will be in renting a villa in Bedoin, which is near Carpentras, with three grandsons and would like to plan how to spend the 5 days. I would like to take day trips to the main attractions but would also like to cater somewhat to the boys. The places of interest would be Avignon, St Remy, Aix, Nimes and Arles. I understand that one can swim and canoe at the Pont du Gard, which would interest the boys. Therefore, I need help in planning the days but also leave some time to enjoy the villa. Something that would interest them would be parapente in the area. Does anyone have any ideas as I don't know the actual distances to the different places.

How old are your grandsons? We just returned from some time in Provence with our three kids - two boys 7 & 9 - and we did canoe at Pont du Gard. It was fantastic... used Kayak Vert and trip length was about 2.5 hrs if i remember - but would allow even longer if weather's good. We didn't leave until 1pm and had a "scheduled pickup" - so felt a little rushed. PLUS the weather looked like rain toward end - so we wanted to finish quickly. Due to the wind that can kick up - actual trip can be a bit strenuous - as it was for us. Not really "leisurely canoeing" but one of the highlights of our trip! Stopped to swim on trip. (this is from someone who was canoeing with a little bit of a rotator cuff problem ) You start upriver from Pont du Gard and canoe under Pont about 3/4 of the way through trip..

I trust if you're driving you'll avail yourself of a map, which will show you routes and distances.

For planning purposes, I like to use mappy.com

Hey VeeBee - I didn't see you at the Bedoin market on June 11 !!!!

alandjeane - I replied to your e-mail, but now I see you only plan to be in Provence for 5 days. I think trying to visit Avignon, St Remy, Aix, Arles, and Nimes is WAY to much to try & do in only 5 days. Arles & Nimes are both more than 1 1/4 hrs away & the drive there from Bedoin is not very scenic. Aix is also more than 1 1/4 hrs away. Aix, Nimes, Arles, and Avignon have a lot in common and will start to look the same if you try to visit all 4 in 5 days. Also, if one of those 5 days is a Sunday or a Monday, many of the stores will be closed then. I think you're trying to visit too many larger cities for only a 5 day trip. Enjoy the wonderful countryside around Bedoin instead. There are 3 bike shops in town - rent bikes & visit some of the small villages close by - Crillon, Caromb, Flassan - you'll bike along some wonderful countryside going from town to town.

Also don't forget a visit to the Monday morning market in Bedoin. Get there at 8:15 & have a coffee & croissant at the Bar au Cours (they don't serve croissants - you'll have to get them at the boulangerie 2 doors to the north)

Stu Dudley

Agree that renting bikes and visiting towns nearby is likely to be something very enjoyable for grandsons - regardless of ages! My boys kept asking to rent bikes again in Provence (after a wonderful bike ride in Paris a few weeks before) - but we never did and i regret it.

Again - depends on your grandsons ages - but my experience with my planned Provence itin - is I set out to achieve WAY too much - what we did do that was fantastic was casual hiking in countryside, pont du Gard, Les Baux visit, swimming in Durance river, markets, and a few drives..Roussillon, Gordes, Abbaye Senanque.. we stayed in Lourmarin and loved our village and house. Great for the boys to set out in the am with a few euros and go shopping at bakery for family's breakfast!

Hey Stu - I was at the Bedoin Market on Monday - June 11 - didn't see you either (haha) but it was a spectacular day and wonderful experience. My kids all really enjoyed the markets as well - and became avid shoppers very quickly..