We will be going for four days to Provence, in France--we were thinking of maybe staying just in one place for four days--we have not done this in the past--do you have any suggestions for one hotel that would be a good base thanks jan

We found Le Clos du Buis in Bonnieux a great base for day trips throughout the Luberon (Peter Mayles country). If you decide to book there, be sure to try to get one of the rooms with the spectacular view over the valley.

http://le-clos-du-buis.com/

If you are looking for a central location in Provence our recommendation would be Hotel Le Pigonnet in Aix-en-Provence.

La Magnaneraie, in Villeneuve-lès-Avignon, would fit the bill nicely, as to the west lie St-Rémy and Les Baux, Arles, Nîmes, the Pont-du-Gard, and the Camarge, while to the east are Avignon and the Lubéron.

the Calandel in Arles,
La Rigalido in Fontveille,
Mas de Pastre in Eygalieres
These are three of my Favorites.

Much of this depends on which part of Provence you are interested in. We particularly like the Luberon, and have enjoyed our stays at the Bastide de Capelongue in Bonnieux.

I agree with Cigalechanta, as I have on many other threads, LeCalendal is a charming and inexpensive hotel in Arles. Great location, near restaurants and interesting sites to explore. There are lots of very favorable recommendations for this hotel if you wish to do a search.

Here's the website: www.lecalendal.com

Look at La Maison a Bournissac, just outside St.Remy. It is a lovely country inn with a delicious restaurant, very comfortable rooms, AC, pool, and beautiful view. We spent a week here in May '03 and found it to be a great central location. Bon voyage!

Another vote for Le Piggonet in Aix. It was very magical.

Another good choice in Aix is the Villa Gallici.

So far the suggestions have been for western Provence. How about the eastern part, around Nice? In that case I'd strongly recommend staying at Le Hameau, a small hotel (more like a tiny village) just down the road from St-Paul-de-Vence. From there you could visit Nice, Villefranche-sur-Mer, St-Jean-Cap-Ferrat, Eze village, La Turbie, Cannes, Mougins, Valbonne, Grasse, Vence, Tourette-sur-Loup, Gourdon...more than enough to keep you busy for 4 days.

Ok. I have stayed at the Colombe D'Or much more expensive but also less than Auburge de Loup but would not hesitate to say the welcome and ambiance is everything it should be at both.

Hi

somewhere a bit different, but well located near Aix and the autoroute :

http://www.hotelfp-saintmaximin.com/index_gb.htm

It is an 800 year old former monastery

Peter
http://tlp.netfirms.com

The suggestions on this board have made me already want to come back for another six nights, when I haven't even made my first trip yet! So many wonderful sounding places to try. Cigalechanta can one have lunch, or drinks, or appetizers at Colombe d'Or if dinner sounds too expensive?

You can have lunch, many come only for that. They may serve you drinks inside at the small lounge or by the pool.

Nothing beats the view at Hostellerie de Crillon-Le-Brave. If you are near Mt. Ventoux, stop for a drink

When are you going? The Mas de Bournissac, near St. Remy, is a good suggestion. You will have a short drive into town. My wife and I had the best meal ever there (at La Maison, its restaurant)

Pigonnet is a bit pricey but excellent.

Good luck.

Anthony

I would also recommend the Mas de Bournissac. We stayed there this summer and loved it.

A couple of other good places I can vouch for personally are the Cabro D'Or, near Les Baux, and Chateau de Meyrargues, a beautiful old castle on a hill outside of Aix.

All of these have good restaurants.

Our favorite was L'Eviche in Vaison la Romaine. Amazing hotel, wonderful little town.
http://eveche.free.fr/uk_index.htm

Or the B&Bs in Avignon, Villa Agape:
http://avignon-et-provence.com/bb/vi.../gb/tarifs.htm

Or in Gordes, Mas de la beaume.
http://www.labeaume.com/page1anglais.html

La Bastide de Marie in the Luberon (between Menerbes and Gordes) is perfect. One of the most charming little hotels in the world.