marie_md

Good day all ,

We are arriving in Avignon in June 22 morning, by train.

And departing from Marseille airport on June 27 morning.

Can you please advise on how we should plan our accomodation?

Should we explore Avignon on the day of June 22 and stay in accomodation in Avignon on the night of June 22? And then on daytime of June 23, move to an accomodation in one of the smaller towns and villages - to which village, it has not been decided yet. ( it could cover Gordes, Menerbes, Roussillon, Bonnieux, Lacoste, Buoux, Saignon, L'isle sur la Sorgue, etc ) So for June 23, 24, to explore the small towns and villages, and lavender fields, vineyards, see the picturesque landscape and views Provence is known for.

For June 25 daytime to move from the small villages to Aix en Provence. For evening of June 25, and 26, stay in an accomodation in Aix en Provence. so 2 nights in Aix. And then from Aix, go to Marseille airport on June 27 morning.

What do you think of this plan?
1 night stay in Avignon - Jun 22
2 night stay in some Luberon village - Jun 23, 24
2 night stay in Aix - Jun 25, 26

Are we allocating to short of a time in the villages and 2 much time in Aix?

Instead of staying in 3 different places of accomodation, should we just stay in maximum 2 places of accomodation? Or maybe just be based in 1 place for the whole 5 nights? But where would it be?

Please advise on your tips on these on how we should plan our accomodation and itinerary to explore Avignon, the small towns and villages, and also Aix.

Thank you.

aliced

I would spend your arrival day in Avignon, take the little shuttle train offered in front of cathedral, then explore on your own, having dinner in Avignon. Will you have a car? If so, it's not a long ride to St. Remy which we believe is ideal for exploring Arles, villages in the Luberon for the 4 nights. Check out Le Soleil in St. Remy right across street from tourist center but so quiet and one block from old town. Conveniently in the middle of everything. Then go down to Aix to stay convenient to the airport for your Marseilles departure. I think you will enjoy tooling around the villages for the middle days the most. Aix is a bit south, so better to spend last night there before departure. Avignon was pretty but we liked the other villages so much more; we combined our Avignon afternoon with a morning at Pont du Gard. One-night stays are always hard and to be avoided.

StuDudley

>>Aix is a bit south, so better to spend last night there before departure<<

That would be June 26 - a Sunday. Aix is my wife's favorite shopping city in Provence - and almost all of the shops that most tourists are interested in, will be closed all day on Sunday.

What keeps us returning to Provence is the beautiful countryside & small villages.

I would spend more time in the countryside & small villages and only visit one "city" - Avignon because you arrive near there. On Sunday, visit the farmers/crafts/antique market in l'Isle sur la Sorgue very early in the morning, then visit some of the villages in the Luberon that have shops open on Sunday (Gordes, Bonnieux), & explore the Luberon by car. End the day in Lourmarin - perhaps have dinner there. Then drag yourself to an airport hotel after dinner & depart the next day.

Stu Dudley

palatino82

We stayed in Fontaine de Vaucluse for a few nights on a cycling trip. It is near Isle-sur-Sorgue, but after stopping in Isle-sur-sorgue I was glad we stayed in Fontaine de Vaucluse. It is quieter and very charming with the river running through it. The Hotel du Poete was a lovely place to stay - breakfast every day outside by the river. You could easily visit the Luberon villages from there.

marie_md

Thank you everyone for the helpful recommendation.

In the Luberon area, has anyone heard of , or been to "La Bastide De Marie" in Menerbes? I wonder if this is considered to be very beautiful accomodation in Provence, or just average?

Photo : http://www.booking.com/hotel/fr/bastide-de-marie.html

What is your feedback about this place, especially in terms of staying here in this location, and going to different villages in Provence?

Also staying here, and heading out to places to eat nearby?

Do you have other recommendation of places for accommodation where within nearby the accommodation itself, it's quite romantic, beautiful, there are nice place for taking photos? Even do a picnic, outdoor dinner, pictorial session? And also accessible to go to other villages, and go to restaurants?


Thanks a lot.

StuDudley

The Marie is outstanding. Very close friends stayed there & we joined them for dinner & other "stuff" on several occasions in around 2005. Excellent location. The "comment" that might be either a plus or minus for you is that it draws a lot of Americans, and English is the primary language spoken.

Stu Dudley

marie_md

Thanks Stu on your feedback on the La Bastide De Marie.

This is the look and feel and ambiance I'm aiming for, for the accomodation. However it seems they are indeed expensive, compared to other accomodations in Luberon.

Do you know some other accomodation within Luberon that have the same look and feel, but could be less expensive?

We decided that renting a home is not for us, and we want a place with staff, and little restaurant.

I feel like being able to experience dining within the hotel property, as well as being able to eat in the restaurants within the town/village are both good experience.

Also would you say that Luberon area is more beautiful than the Alpilles area which is a bit on the western side.

Thanks.

StuDudley

I think this was the last hotel we stay in. we were there in about 1997 or so - before we started staying in gites.

http://www.domainedelenclos.com/en/index.php

Other that have been around for a long time
www.lafermedelahuppe.com
www.carcarille.com
www.masromarins.com

I much prefer the rolling hills, vineyards, and lavender fields in the Luberon over the more rocky & arid Alpilles.

Stu Dudley