This thread has me so excited! I had been obsessing about whether to try Provence without a car, where to base if I do, etc., and you guys have certainly given me alot of answers, and made me feel so much better. I know I could never drive over there alone without being totally freaked out and being constantly lost! I was debating between Arles and Avignon, but sounds like Avignon would be better for the bus and train excursions - and the boat sounds fun, which I didn't know about.<BR>Can anyone recommend a convenient Avignon hotel, it doesn't have to be budget, but not 4-star either.

Thanks Mim, I am going thanks to you.

Just returned from a week in Provence WITH a car (husband driving) and getting out of Avignon was a nightmare. The backroads are fine now, but I would guess are really crowded in the summer. <BR><BR>Overall I find it stressful having a car ~ and the person driving misses so much of the beautiful scenery! I love riding the trains and buses. It's a great way to meet local people, too.<BR><BR>Judi ~ sounds like trip # 2 for next year!<BR><BR>Bon voyage

Gail, I hope it is #3! You know I have to go to Nerja as well. :-)

if the choice is go or not go, then by all means go. pick a central spot and find out if they have bus tours to some wineries (or a town, such as Chateauneuf de Pape).... St Remy is nice, you can hike and bike and horseback ride and go see the Roman Ruins and Les Baux is close by (15 mins by car, so if you biked...)

yes he was Arlene, but young enough maybe to be my son, but he and his two friends were fun, they were on two other days with me, and the girlfriend of one was fun. We had the driver stop once so we could take a picture and to ahuhum....and it became like a private party bus as everyone joined in our fun.<BR>they were two Parisians visiting their friend who lived in Avignon. Surprisingly half the bus was French.

Wow! I am so excited to see so many responses! Gail...I thought we were the only ones who found driving stressful...glad to have company! Mimi that no-tour tour sounds better all the time! I, too, would like to know of a reasonably priced hotel in Avignon. Does anyone know anything about the two Mercure hotels?

Interesting thread. Does anyone else have something to add?

I'm just topping, as I am very interested in this thread.

Nutella and other women travelling alone.<BR>I stayed across the bridge from Avignon in Villaneuve because I wanted the feel of village life and not in the city. Every day I could venture to avignon by walking across the boule field and across the bridge, or I could take a commuter boat, or sit by the village fountain with the charming old men waiting for the bus. i wouldn't have done it any other way!

Mimi, could you recommend a hotel in Villeneuve? Are there lots of cafes and restaurants? How convenient was the trip to Avignon? Was it possible to have dinner there and come back at night? How easy was it to get to the train and bus station? Thanks!

Mimi, if you stayed in Villeneuve, was it easy to get to the bus station for day trips outside Avignon? What hotel did you stay at?

Mimi, Hope you'll answer the questions about staying in Villeneuve - getting there from the train station, etc. And the hotel you stayed at. I'm very interested!

ttt

Okay, been doing some reading since you all convinced me to go without a car. Arles sounds nice, and so does Aix. Any opinions on the pros and cons of Arles, Aix and Avignon.. without a car of course? (Could possible break it up into 3 nights in one place, 3 in another).

Hi Nutella! We stayed in Aix at the Mercure Paul Cezanne. We loved the hotel and the city. From Aix, you can take a bus to Cassis..fabulous! I think you can get to some other places, too. But..next time we will stay in Avignon because I think you can take day trips more easily from there. I think it may be more convenient than Arles.

<BR><BR><BR><BR><BR><BR><BR><BR><BR><BR><BR><BR><B R><BR>I was one nite at the Hotel l'Europe in Avignon and two weeks at the Le Prieure.<BR>Going out at night means bus, cab or walking across the bridge. The commuter boat stops ar 7pm. The tou bus I spoke of its right outside the train station, so no problem, always took one or the other.This is the main train station(old )where the TGV formally stopped at.<BR>Staying in a village you get the real flavor of provence. I'd chat with the old men by the fountain while waiting for the but or go across to the local bar for a drink. The Prieure is featured in Judith Krantz's novel, "Mistral's Daughter". I stayed in the old part of the hotel in an oval room overlooking the dining terrace and herb garden, where I drank my digestif every night after dinner and met my first hedgehog. I think a woman travelling alone for the first time, should stay in a charming safe hotel and not look for cheap Bu there are other decent hotels less expensive but I dont remember the names. i di dine at one other hotel in the village La Magnaneraie.<BR><BR><BR><BR><BR><BR><BR><BR>

Mimi, thanks for answering the hotel information. Le Prieure sounds really nice. I had just wondered if it might be too isolated from the village to easily get to the bus stop, or bridge, but sounds not. I agree, the village atmosphere would be nicer in Provence. I'm usually too tired after traipsing around all day to go out at night anyway. And I like places that are quiet at night. I had also wondered about the d'Europe and Le Cloitre St. Louis (since it is so near the train station). But Le Prieure sounds better.<BR>I read Mistrals Daughter years ago, will have to again. Thanks!

Sue, the bus stop is a stone's throw from the hotel.

Hi Mimi! Is that the stop for the bus to Avignon or to other destinations also?