I'm curious what villages people have stayed in in Provence. We'd like to stay in a smallish inn type place that's right in a village with a few restaurants we can walk to at night.<BR><BR>We've looked at St. Remy, but can't find anything smallish right in the village - like something similar to Bourissan...<BR><BR>Any suggestions appreciated.

Good morning Debbie, We found eygalieres, in the Bouche-du-Rhone a delightful little village with a 13 centurt chapel. You are close to St Remy, Les Baux. Bonniex, in the Vaucluse, not far from Avignon was another we liked. These two give you choices of restaurants so you don't have to dine in one place every night.We found every time we drove out of the villages at night to dine, we usually got lost trying to return. The lighting is not good and finding directional signs difficult.

Loumarin and Cotignac are pretty villages with many restaurants or cafes.

Hotel L'Amandiere is just outside of town. It is about a half mile stroll in to town. Rooms are small and immaculate. Nice garden surrounds the hotel. It serves breakfast. Proprietors Christophe and Claudine are marvelous.

I stayed in Pernes-les-Fontaines which is about 10K population, as I recall. I considered a few other B&Bs nearby, other than the hotel I stayed at (and loved), as well as some in even smaller vilages (Pernes called most probably be best called a town, not a village). My advice is that there is a real flaw in your desire or plan -- there are not hardly any restaurants in small villages (even Pernes only had a couple restaurants although several pizza joints, etc) and most inns or B&Bs are not in the center of these villages but out in the country--not within walking distances of eating establishments even if there are any. At least that was the situation where I stayed in the upper Vaucluse, which is not as full of tourists as places like Lourmarin. It sounds like you have some suggestions above that might work, I'm just thinking your options may be very limited due to the contradictory factors in your request (small village with restaurants and accommodations in the center of that so you can walk). Even Pernes, which had about 10K pop as I said, did not have any good accommodations near the center of town that I can recall. There were must better options within 5-10 miles driving distance which is where I drove each night to eat; I found roads around there very easy to navigate and I didn't get lost on the D roads but the inn I stayed at was right on one of them where it was a straight shot, more or less, north or south to find a restaurant. I'm also pretty good with maps and sense of direction.

oh, I just wanted to add that many of these smaller inns/B&Bs will require you to eat at them (at least you must pay for half-board), even though I understand that's illegal. Sometimes this is convenient because there are no restaurants that close, but be prepared for that type of pricing. This is why I stayed in a larger hotel (not huge, just larger than a B&B), as I like to dine out.

Hello Debbie,<BR><BR>My wife and I stayed with our dear friends this summer in their home in Cotignac, the village mentioned above. Cotignac is a charming, medievel city and was listed in a book that my sister gave me for Christmas several years ago entitled: "The most beautiful villages of France" and I would agree that it is a charming village to spend a few days to a few weeks if you've ever wanted to spend a bucolic relaxing vacation in rural France. I love the singing of the Cigales (the cicadia), and the smell of the lavender, and the wonderful local wines.<BR><BR>My friend grew up in Marseille and will eventually retire in his home in France, but they do rent it on a short term basis and his wife built a web-site that you may visit at the following url: http://provenceamour.com/<BR><BR>I'm sure that they would be happy to give you any info you would like concerning their beautiful home in Cotignac. I would invite you to visit their web-site and even speak to them if you are interested in staying in the area. <BR><BR>I will help you if you would like.<BR><BR>Randy Smith<BR><BR><BR>

Villa San Louis in Lourmarin fits what you're looking for. I believe it's listed in the Small Inns of Charm publication - know I've got that name wrong but hopefully you'll know what I mean. A beautifully decorated townhouse in charming Lourmarin, where there are quite a few good restaurants.

ttt, I'm making another list.

You may get additional good suggestions if you ask on this mesage forum:<BR>http://forums.delphiforums.com/PBProvence/start

Reply to Anne: Thank you so much for posting the Villa St. Louis in Lourmarin! I didn't post the question, but just got back from Provence and loved Lourmarin but REALLY love the Villa St. Louis. I had a fireplace in the room that I kept going nonstop (it was chilly and it made the room even cozier). The town was beautiful and I'm glad I took your suggestion- when I found out the price of Villa St. Louis I almost didn't book as I thought it was too cheap to be nice but what a nice surprise. It less than 1/2 what we paid at Chateau Fine Roche in Chateauneuf de Pape (a stunning place too) and I'll go back there many times! Thanks again.