The museum at the Pont du Gard is excellent. Perhaps better than any tour you are likely to get.

Stu Dudley

Stu...thanks.

Another question: Which Micheline regional map(s) are needed (as a backup in case GPS fails)?

I'm looking at 526 and 527. Are both needed for:

Roussilon
Gorde
Pont du Gard
Uzes

No. 526 looks good, but maybe I need 527, too.

The Michelin website doesn't really have a detailed key.

ssander

I don't use any 500 series maps - I have to squint too much. One map covers all those regions - the Michelin 113 map.
https://www.amazon.com/Michelin-Prov...s=michelin+113

Stu Dudley

I use Michelin map 332 whenever I am in the area (Drôme, Vaucluse).

332 does not show the Pont du Gard, Uzes, Nimes, Aix, Marseille, or Montpellier. You'll need three 300 series maps to include all of these places.

Stu dudley

...and you should definitely wear shorts.

332 most certainly <b>does</b> show the Pont du Gard. I don't need a map to find any of the cities mentioned, but I have most of the 300 series anyway. Since I like the very small roads, I need the 300 series to see all of them -- some of them are eliminated from the other series due to scale issues.

You're right - it barely shows the Pont - but not Uzes.

I have all the 300 series maps too (along with almost all the 100 series maps). But ssander doesn't have any maps of the region - which is why he/she asked the question.

Stu Dudley

Getting back to the subject, lots of people are wearing shorts these days, no matter where you go, even in cooler temperatures. I've seen some people enter a plane practically naked. If you plan to visit a restaurant with outdoor seating in the summer or a restaurant with no air conditioning, shorts may be a life saver. Some heat waves are unbearable, and that seems to be our future for now. If the plan is to visit a more formal establishment, then I would dress with more discretion. A lot of people look terrible in shorts, and some look just plain sloppy. If you can't tell the difference, then there's probably no hope for you.

Two parts of this thread:

Maps - I got the Michelin 526 and 527. Got them for overview. My wife, the navigator, likes to see where we are in the overall scheme of the trip. We'll use GPS for detailed views and directions (Worked great in even the remotest parts of Ireland in May.)

Shorts - I'm convinced. The forecast for Avignon that week is mid-to-high 80s.

One more thing...based on everything here -- unless I'm advised otherwise -- I'll wear sandals a lot, too...I'll wear my regular walking shoes on the plane and the sandals will take up very little packing space :-)

And yet another issue: For some time now, the preview button has not worked on this site. I'm using the latest Firefox. Has anyone else had this issue?

As always, thanks so much to all Fodorites.
ssander

I am in shorts and sandals and a polo right now no socks.
I look gorgeous.
15 min ago I was wearing a Bermuda swim short and was topless. Sawing some branches. With safety shoes. White socks. Alas nobody stopped to look at me.

I use Firefox. Preview does not work. It has not worked in quite a while.

We use a GPS also - but never for telling us where to go & what route to take. I know the most scenic routes - the GPS does not.

Stu Dudley

Do not blindly follow the GPS -- it will often try to send you along dirt tracks going to farms just because the dirt track is 200 meters shorter than the real road at the next intersection. Whenever you see a directional sign saying something like "Avignon" that is absolutely what you should follow even if the GPS tells you to turn somewhere.

We wear sandals often, but not on the grounds of our property or out on hiking routes, because of snakes (including adders) this time of year.

Shake out your shoes before you put them on.

Kerouac...good to know.

StCirq...really?...yikes...but also good to know. I'll wear my regular shoes when not in the city.

ssander

My (French) mother told me during my entire childhood that "France doesn't have snakes" and of course I believed her. But she was from Lorraine, which might be a region that really does not have snakes. I know that southern France has lots of adders, but I must also admit that even though I have been in France for about 45 years, I still have never seen a snake in France.

We have an adder in our pool right now. The pompiers came and collected 3 last week, and we've got snake repellent now, but this morning one showed up again. We also have grass snakes (couleuvres) that can get up to about 5' long, but they're timid and harmless.

Vipère au poing by Hervé Bazin is a classic that every french and Belgian has had to read during his studies.

We have adders in Belgium too as I was told to distinguish them by their triangular head.

Faire avaler des couleuvres means make believe anything to somebody. Always wondered why.

I am alarmed that this thread derailed from opinions about shorts in France to practical, informed advice on visiting Provence.

I just bought the Michelin 113 map -- got it in the mail today. What am I missing there is no index. How do I find the places I might want to visit?

And yikes! snakes!