South of France itinerary - need advice
May 19th, 2010, 05:42 PM
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South of France itinerary - need advice
We are flying into Lyons, staying in this area for 3 days, then visiting family near Avignon. After three days in Avignon we were thinking of visiting Nice for another 3 days before taking the train to Paris.
1. We are planning to rent a car in Lyon and were wondering about areas of interest between Lyon and Avignon?
2. Are we being too ambitious? Is three days for Nice enough or should we stay in Marseilles (I've heard it's not a nice as NIce
This is our family's first trip to the south of France, the kids are old enough to really enjoy the trip (17 and 21) and we want to experience the best of this beautiful region. Many thanks for your help!
Di
1. We are planning to rent a car in Lyon and were wondering about areas of interest between Lyon and Avignon?
2. Are we being too ambitious? Is three days for Nice enough or should we stay in Marseilles (I've heard it's not a nice as NIce
This is our family's first trip to the south of France, the kids are old enough to really enjoy the trip (17 and 21) and we want to experience the best of this beautiful region. Many thanks for your help!
Di
May 19th, 2010, 08:14 PM
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Nice is nicer that Marseilles, and the drive from Avignon isn't all that long. There's a lot to see around Nice, too.
You could make a short detour to see the gorge of the river Ardèche, driving over the corniche road--and if caves appeal to you, you could visit the Aven d'Orgnac, which is huge and fascinating. You could also make a stop in the Roman city of Orange to see the amphitheater, still in use, and then visit the interesting town of Nyons, off the tourist map. The area is famous for its olives, and the old town is picturesque.
Not far south of Nyons is another Roman town, Vaison-la-Romaine, which has an unusual church as well as an amphitheater, museum, and foundations of a Roman settlement.
You could make a short detour to see the gorge of the river Ardèche, driving over the corniche road--and if caves appeal to you, you could visit the Aven d'Orgnac, which is huge and fascinating. You could also make a stop in the Roman city of Orange to see the amphitheater, still in use, and then visit the interesting town of Nyons, off the tourist map. The area is famous for its olives, and the old town is picturesque.
Not far south of Nyons is another Roman town, Vaison-la-Romaine, which has an unusual church as well as an amphitheater, museum, and foundations of a Roman settlement.
May 19th, 2010, 08:45 PM
#3
23 miles south of Lyon is the lovely, incredible medieval fortified village of Perouges, nothing like it in the whole area.
Have lunch or dinner in one of the famous bouchons in Lyon
On the the way to Avignon, Grignan and Mt Ventoux.
Have lunch or dinner in one of the famous bouchons in Lyon
On the the way to Avignon, Grignan and Mt Ventoux.
May 19th, 2010, 11:25 PM
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"Are we being too ambitious? Is three days for Nice enough or should we stay in Marseilles (I've heard it's not a nice as NIce"
IMHO, I think Nice is a lot better than Marseilles. I did not like Marseilles at all, the traffic was heavy, it was dirty and full of graffiti. My husband and I enjoyed Nice so much we stayed an extra week. We rented an apartment in Old Town.
Have a great vacation!
IMHO, I think Nice is a lot better than Marseilles. I did not like Marseilles at all, the traffic was heavy, it was dirty and full of graffiti. My husband and I enjoyed Nice so much we stayed an extra week. We rented an apartment in Old Town.
Have a great vacation!
May 20th, 2010, 05:41 AM
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I have spent at least 100 days of my life at the Cote d'Azur and I will return for another two-week vacation this summer. You get an impression how attractive the area is (however, we never stay IN Nice but in surrounding areas).
On the way from Lyon to Nice, you might stop
- in Orange, to see the impressive Roman ruins there,
- at exit 25 (Cavaillon) and drive to St. Remy, see Glanum and Les Antiques south of St. Remy, see Les Baux and return to the autoroute. If you want to spend one or two hours more, visit the Roman ruins in Arles.
Forget Marseille.
On the way from Lyon to Nice, you might stop
- in Orange, to see the impressive Roman ruins there,
- at exit 25 (Cavaillon) and drive to St. Remy, see Glanum and Les Antiques south of St. Remy, see Les Baux and return to the autoroute. If you want to spend one or two hours more, visit the Roman ruins in Arles.
Forget Marseille.
May 20th, 2010, 06:50 AM
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Thanks so much for your responses, you've helped me make the decision, we will definitely visit Nice (bypassing Marseille) during our time in the south of France.
I'm thrilled with all of the great suggestions for places to visit along the Lyons, Avignon, Nice route! I'll do some research during the next week and let you all know our final itinerary!
I'm thrilled with all of the great suggestions for places to visit along the Lyons, Avignon, Nice route! I'll do some research during the next week and let you all know our final itinerary!
