I once again am calling on the great advice out there. We are taking the train from Paris to Nice and wanted to break up the trip in a charming, quaint town in southern France, possibly the provence area. The train schedules look best into Avignon or Marsaille. We will arrive mid-day and leave the next afternoon for Nice. Would greatly appreciate any feedback for 1 night
in a town with some local flavor. Thanks for your help!

Avignon is a good choice.

Avignon is nice, but you could also stop over in Aix, which is more fun in my opinion, especially if you like cafe-hopping in the evenings.

-Kevin

Well, there's always St-Rémy for a charming town. However, if you'll settle for a very charming hotel near interesting towns, I'd recommend the Relais de la Magdeleine in Gémenos. It's a lovely old house with a wonderful restaurant, and the nearby town of Aubagne was made famous by its favorite son, the writer Pagnol. The hotel would be an easy drive from Marseille. There's a spiffy pool, if that appeals.

Another good place is Le Mas d'Entremont, up on the plateau overlooking Aix. You couldn't go wrong with either hotel.

Your options for "quaint" towns on the Mediterranean TGV line are Aix and Avignon. Coming from either of these towns to Nice, you'll change trains in the Gare St. Charles in Marseille. Marseille would be most convenient, as you'll have to go through it at some point, but not as quaint-it's basically a big city, and Aix and Avignon are only about 15 and 30 minutes via TGV away from marseilles, so either one of those are best. Avignon has more "sights"- the bridge and the papal palace, but Aix has a livlier atmosphere.

Thanks for all your input!! I have been busy on tripadvisor checking availabity for hotels in the areas
recommended-looks like I could be a little late....so might have to stay where I can get rooms.

ok, so far I've received a response from Hotel D'Europe in Avignon..they
have 2 standard rooms available for our 1night stay..anyone stayed there? any feedback on location,rooms?

The Hôtel de l'Europe is one of Avignon's finest. The location is fine, the rooms are lovely, and the large outdoor courtyard is a great place for a drink.

awesome! It looked good on the website, and since we only have a short stop, one afternoon/eve and the next morning, I am thinking we will probably
be better off in Avignon...at least that
is the way it sounds from everyone....however, I would also like to see St. Remy, but then we would miss
Avignon.....such decisions...and needing
2 rooms for the 4 of us makes it harder
to find nice rooms for a reasonable rate. Unless I hear compelling arguments to the contrary, guess we will
stay in Avignon at hotel d l'Europe..
thanks again to all for your help!

I just received a response from Le Prieure.....any thoughts on this hotel
versus Hotel dEurope? It's so nice to have a choice....is one better than the other regarding location, charm, etc.
We really want to be as close to the heart of everything due to our short stay. Thank you again so much for your
wonderful opinions. I really appreciate the time you take to help others. I promise to provide feedback when I return!!!

We did this trip and stayed at Hotel le Pigonnet in Aix. It was wonderful, as was Aix. But I haven't been to Avignon yet, so can't compare.

Le Prieré is actually in Avignon--it's across the Rhône in Villeneuve-lès-Avignon. The hotel itself is delightful, with a fine restaurant, but ít's definitely not in the heart of Avignon. If you want to be able just to walk around Avignon, the Hôtel de l'Europe is your best choice. For a longer stay--and with a car--Le Prieuré would be lovely.

Underhill, you have been so helpful!
We are confirmed at Hotel d'Europe in Avignon and I'm very pleased with the reviews and your recommendation. I would love to be able to see St. Remy..if not on this trip, then the next! Thanks again!

Always glad to be of assistance. If you can find a copy of Mary Stewart's book "Madame, Will You Walk?" take it with to read on the plane--you'll see why!

Thanks for the recommendation! It must be filled with good info or will be a
great sedative for the flight! I'm
on it!!

I have stayed in both. and prefer the Prieure for ambiance and a beautiful surroundings, an herb garden, a vegetable garden, But The Europe is in a great location, shops and restaurants, steps away in the square and the train station and buses. At one time, this is where the TGV arrived, so it was so easy to check into the hotel in minites. Everyone has their favorite choices. The Prieure is in the quaint village, no where the size and choices of the others listed.