alweaf

My husband and I will be in Provence from September 22- October 9. From October 1-9 we will be staying near Gordes. I would like some advice on how many days to stay in Cassis at the end of September and how many days in the Camargue as well. We are active and enjoy hiking. Any suggestions for hotels or places to stay in Cassis, the Camargue, and Avignon would also be much appreciated. Thank you!

joannyc

In Avignon, I very much liked the Avignon Grand Hotel right across the street from the ramparts and entrance to the old town. Breakfast was included. Underground parking is available or if taking the train, the train station was only a few buildings away (but I never heard any trains).

If you click on Rooms under the Photo Gallery link, my room was the 4th picture. A suite with balcony in the rear of the hotel. Great value for the price I paid last July!

In the pic, you can't see all the closet space there was and the small dining table and 2 chairs.

I would highly recommend this hotel!

http://www.avignon-grand-hotel.com/en/photo-gallery/

StuDudley

We only stayed in Cassis 1 night. You might stay 2 nights if you want to explore the area around Cassis quite a bit. There's not much to do in town - my wife "shopped" it in about 45 mins or less. We arrived one afternoon, hung out in town, dined at the port, went to bed. Next morning we took a calanques boat trip, then got outa there. On another occasion, we explored the area around Cassis by car - but did not visit the town itself. We've visited Cassis itself 3 times - staying overnight only once. I spent a day "sunning" myself on a day-trip there - but you probably won't be doing that in late September. By contrast, we've spent 20 weeks in Provence.

Here is some "around Cassis" info:

This can be done as an excursion from Aix-en-Provence, unless you want to spend a night in Cassis. You’ll drive along some mountain ridges with unusual rock formations & outcroppings, and then along beautiful cliffs above the coast with some impressive views. Do this on a clear day and early in the morning to get the best views of Cassis & the coastline.

Leave Aix east on the A8 and then take the A52 south to Aubagne. At Aubagne, look east to see the Massif you will be driving through later. Past Aubagne, take the A50 to la Ciotat. Get off the A50 at exit #9. Navigating through la Ciotat to get to the eastern start of the Corniche des Cretes is a little tricky & impossible to describe here. The Michelin Red guide has a useable map for finding the start (it’s not in the green guide). Look for the signs for the D141 to Cap Canaille or Cassis.

This will get you to the Corniche des Cretes** & Cap Canaille***. Follow this route west, making sure that you take the small side road to Semaphore du Bec de l’Aigle where you will get a good view of la Ciotat and also west along the coast. Stop at Cap Canaille. Along this route you will see a parking area along the road & probably some people walking up a hill to a higher view point. Walk up this bluff - the view is even better. Continue on the D141 until you hit the D559.

Go northeast on the D559 & get on the A50 back to Aubagne. Near Aubagne, try to take a route to Gemenous (sorry – don’t know the interchanges necessary to do this – I actually did this itinerary in the opposite sequence, starting at the Massif de la Ste Baume and then the corniche). Take the D2 west to drive along the Massif de la Ste Baume**. If it’s a Saturday or Sunday, you will likely encounter a lot of bicyclists along this route. Continue on the D2 until it hits the D80 & take the D80 east to Nans-les-Pins. Continue till the D80 ends at the N560 and take the N560 west toward Aubagne & through Auriol to the N96 intersection, where you will take the N96 north to get on the A52 and back to Aix.

Stu Dudley

alweaf

Thank you!

DebitNM

Agree with Stu about Cassis. We have done it as a day trip which was sufficient, especially at that time of year.