Some help please...Guide recommendations in Provence
 

My husband and I will be arriving in Provence in September of this year coming from Paris on the high speed train. We have selected Coquillade Provence as our hotel and plan on making day trips from there. We have 5 full days in the area. We are very interested in art, history, architecture and just nature. Do you have any guide recommendations? We have not had luck renting a car in France and driving ourselves. We would need someone with transportation. I know our scope is broad but perhaps you might suggest your favorite places. At the moment we want to include Aixe en Provence and Avignon. I would greatly appreciate any input.

Gargas?? Ask your hotel about a recommended driver. You’ve really picked a difficult spot to reach, or move around from, without a car.

I have nothing to add about finding a guide, but I do recommend you read Village in the Vaucluse (since you will be staying there), by Laurence Wylie. It s a sociological Study of French village life that will make you cry. The first sentence alone is a marvel.

For my first trip to France, I made my pilgrimmage to Roussillon, the subject of the book.

IIUC, what you are seeking is a car & driver, not necessarily a guide. I have no recommendations to offer, but if correct, I think it would be important to be clear about what you want, as these are very different things.

I agree with FTOttawa that asking your hosts/ hoteliers for recommendations would be a good starting point.

Are you fully committed to the particular lodging you mention?

Is there anything any of us can say that would make you more comfortable about driving yourselves?

I agree with this, although we all have to choose what we want... Basing yourself in a bigger place, like Avignon or even Aix, you could use buses or even trains to get around. You'd have art, etc., in town, then venture out for a day or two. I can't imagine hiring a driver to get me around Provence every day from a somewhat isolated hotel. But that's just me. Good luck and enjoy, at any rate!

Hotel looks lovely, but not for touring the rest of Provence. And can understand why you wouldnt want to drive yourselves, not knowing the area. Check St. Remy de Provence, or near Avignon or Aix. As far as guides, highly recommend Tours by Locals -- A Canadian company that you only pay upon completion of the tour, not in advance. Also, if you wish to book at 10% higher rate, it allows cancellation 24 hrs in advance (check website policy for other refund/cancellation). We used them in Greece and Turkey and were extremely pleased. Upon a glance, in Provence I see guides for up to 8 passengers with prices to match, so for the two of you, you will have to contact some guides and see what your price would be. We were recommended to the company by worldwide traveller friends and friends of friends. We booked them for Greece 10 years ago, however, (before COVID), so things might have changed. Since the guides live in the area, they know the territory very well. Good luck.

Hi, jbtk155. We sandwiched a trip to Aix between Paris visits and took several day trips. See if my dated report yields ideas:

https://www.fodors.com/community/eur...ndwich-446896/

Scroll to the end of page 3 for Aix. Rendezvous Vous Provence was the tour company.

I don't think it's a good idea for people on a message forum to try to convince people they don't know to drive in rural areas in foreign countries. Especially when those people have even tried it.

BTW, the tour van fetched us at our hotel. Do check for this company's most recent information.

I Googled the hotel, and it's gorgeous! Since it's only 5 miles to Roussillon, I don't think you'll have any trouble finding a driver.

Thank you for all your input. t
 

You have given me a great deal to think about and some very helpful suggestions. I know the hotel is pretty out of the way, however, it ticks off many of our requirements. I have used Tours By Locals many times in the past and may go back to them. I was hoping that maybe several of you knew of one tour guide that I could use that you have had success with. I am sure the hotel will have recommendations. All good … after all going to France!