cigalechanta

I agree, the Marie is lovely, we also liked the Bastide de Moustiers and the Mas de Peint in the Camargue, but these are a one or two night stay unless you have alot of money. Balance one-two nights at these splurges and the rest at B&Bs or no frills hotel.

leesride

I highly recommend Le Mas des Comtes de Provence (www.mas-provence.com). Beautiful, charming and comfortable. A short, easy drive to St. Remy, and close to Arles, Nimes, Avignon and everything in western Provence.

cigalechanta

The rooms look lovely and thanks , not familiar with this place as one who loves the Alpilles,

luvtotravel

You folks are driving me CRAZY!! I'm traveling in May and am happy to be heading out alone, so I get to choose wherever I want to go with no one else to worry about. Only ticket I could get with my freq flyer miles is LA-Paris. Been to Paris many times and am trying to figure out where to go once in Europe. After much research on this board, I had decided on the Italian Lakes -- the websites suggested here had me convinced. And now, after looking at all the charming inns and B&Bs noted on this post, I'm leaning towards Provence. What's a woman (with limited time and funds) to do?

cigalechanta

Do what your gut tells you, for me it was always Provence, for you it may be Italy. There is no answer,
P.S. Everyone has a different experience at hotels, restaurants,hotels, B&Bs that always makes me feel we were in a different country.

PamSF

We loved Les Trois Sources in Bonnieux. It's stunning and by far was our favorite place to stay on our recent trip to Provence. We've decided to stay longer there next trip and take day trips. We moved around over 12 days this time. I'd say the best location is somewhere it will be easy for you to move in and out of with a car if that is how you are travelling. Look for places that have car parks if necessary.

PamSF

ANd if you are going to provence, I can't say enough about a day trip to the Camargue. You simply must have lunch or dinner at La Chassagnette (in La Sambuc). Lunch is 37 euros dinner is 60. The meal goes on for hours. It was our best meal in 3 weeks in France.

PBProvence

Here's a new hotel just outside of Les Baux, and between Maussane and Fontvieille. If you want quiet and luxurious surroundings, Le Hameau would fit the bill. Built in the style of a small hameau (hamlet) the rooms are in different small buildings - one is a replica of a chapel. Rooms run from 190 to 230 euro per night, suites between 200 and 460 per night - breakfast is 17 euro.
The owners, friends of friends, gave us a tour of the place a few weeks ago and it's lovely. There are tennis courts and a pool.

www.hameaudesbaux.com

And definitely plan a meal at La Chassagnette. We eat there as often as possible....last month Jean-Luc (the chef) put me to work in the kitchen so I could keep up my appetite between courses.
They MAY be moving, but as yet, it's not decided. I'll post here if they do.

Patricia

cigalechanta

Yes, PLEASE let us know Patricia.But why would they move???

PBProvence

Cigale...

They only lease the property, and apparently the owner is making noises about taking it back. I'll report when I know something...

Patricia

jlpx2

Thanks for all of your suggestions--more research involved--we have stayed at (& i apologize for the spelling)Le Ousteau de Bauminniere before and were thinking of staying there again but will also look into your suggestions--half of the fun of a trip is in the planning--thanks again jan

cigalechanta

If you want to stay at a beautiful B&B, PB has one. We stayed two nights. And she may cook for you if you ask in advance.

europhile

This thread has great links to B&B's. I never would have found those. Thanks!

mskathyny

Just noticed this post... We got back two weeks ago from a trip to Paris & Provence. In Provence we stayed at a wonderfully charming apartment: Les Olivettes. They have a web site with good, accurate pics of the choices of apartments they offer in the complex. We looked at them all while there and thought they were all beautiful. There's a pool and the property is well landscaped and very inviting. There were people there who had been coming for three years in a row as well a a newly married couple on their first visit (like us). Les Olivettes is just across the road from the delightful town of Lourmarin which we particularly loved because you could walk to some wonderful restaurants (If you didn't want to cook in the apartment, making use of the fabulous things you found in the markets!). What we especially liked about staying at Les Olivettes and about Lourmarin was that it's not one of the hill towns, which can be somewhat difficult to enter and leave, especially as the season gets more crowded. We made the mistake of trying to visit Gourdes on May Day and just turned around because of the huge number of cars heading to the town on the narrow, windy road. Lourmarin is much easier to navigate and I think makes a great base for explorations. I would definitely stay there again.

tower

Yes, Colombe d'or is opened to the public for lunch..Just did it two weeks ago...ambience par excellence..sitting on their lovely terrace. They were featuring white asparagus appetizers that day...mmmmmm! Pricing is fair for what they offer..grand experience. Combining this with a visit to the nearby Maeght Foundation makes for a wonderful, unmatchable afternoon. If you plan one luncheon splurge, this is the one. We had the asparagus, DW had fricasee of chicken , I had the marvelous sole, split a magical creme brulee, and two glasses of wine...bill came to exactly 90E's.
Stu T.

cigalechanta

I've also noted when we stayed there several times that they don't mind(if you are polite)if you are not a guest, and ask to look at the famous art that is all over the place.

lp_nyc

OK, putting in my vote for Domaine Le Vallon. It's just north of Carpentras. We stayed there last year on our HM and our returning this year.

The owners are extremely lovely people. The rooms are large, beautifully decorated, the grounds are lovely. They do a gastronomique table on Tuesday evenings that is to die for(there son is the chef for this dinner). WE liked it because it wasn't in town, but made a great base for exploring the area around Avignon. Rooms from 130-150 a night.


http://www.vallon-provence.com

katlake

What if you don't want to drive everywhere? Is there a hotel within a walkable village/city that would be good?

cigalechanta

Yes, our last visit we stayed again at L'Hotel Les Ateliers de l'Image right downtown in St Remy. It's wonderful!
They have a pool, a pool table, A huge screen to play film of your choice, and a labyrinthe.
www.hotelphoto.com

PamSF

We just booked our Autumn trip and will be staying at Le Calendal in Arles and at La Ferme de la Huppe outside Gordes.