StuDudley

Our favorite restaurant in the Dentelles region is l’Oustalet www.restaurant-oustalet.fr in Gigondas on the main square in the village. We’ve dined there 3 times – very nice setting both outside & inside – excellent food. We had an excellent meal at the Michelin 1 star Le Grand Pre* in Roaix. It’s also a favorite restaurant of Patricia Wells – who lives in the area. Another restaurant we’ve enjoyed twice is les Florets, also in Gigondas but not in town – its farther east into the mountains – there are signs directing you to the hotel/restaurant. The outside setting is fabulous – lots of interesting flowers. I would only dine there if you could dine outside – inside isn’t as interesting. We had a nice dinner at le Brin d’Oliver in Vaison. We’ve vacationed for 8 weeks in this region – trying many other restaurants – but these were our favorites.

Stu Dudley

Micheline

Great report Ted! In September we had a picnic in Aigues Mortes on the bank of that canal in your picture and when we drove through the Camargue we saw loads of pink flamingos and white horses. In cassis we took a boat tour of the Calanques. We also kept saying "who knew?" I also was in that snow storm in Ottawa. Next time I'll do a search for your great 32 euros meals.

cocofromdijon

Superb photos Ted And now, I know what's beyond the old port of Marseille, we didn't have time enough (and no car) to go and see the beaches.
The chocolate sardines look amazingly real! Hope they don't smell like real ones!

cigalechanta

Les Florets is a located in an enchanting spot to dine outdoors, I agree.

smallchuck

We're English but have a house near Uzes which we love and were there - and at the market with my parents in law - the weekend you took the photos of it. I just wanted to say how much I enjoyed your suberb photos of Uzes. I thought I knew the town well but clearly not! Certainly cheered me up on on a freezing cold evening in Kent. (To the poster looking for the the name of the good cafe/restaurant on the main square it may be "Terroirs" - a deli/cafe run by Tom who is half French/half South African. If not, try it for lunch next time you are there.)

cigalechanta

smallchuck, lucky you. That Satuday market in Uzes is wonderful. Ted's photo of that stone archway looks like the path we walked from our hotel to the Place des Herbes?

tedgale

RE the exact placement of that arch: It's between Place des Herbes and the very large Baroque church about 2 minutes' walk to the south(?) of the Place...

cigalechanta

and that was where our hotel was

tedgale

Here is the link to photos of our accommodation in Seguret, Vaucluse, rented through postcards from provence.

All shots of the house and surroundings plus a few shots of meals we had.

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?ai...;id=1126123095

Many more shots to come: Vaison, Mont Ventoux, Avignon, plus the lesser known:
1. East of Carpentras: Caromb/ Mazan/ Crillon le Brave;
2. Hill country: Buis les Baronniers;
3. "Chateau" villages -- Le Crestet and Le Barroux;
4. Buisson, Villedieu,Puymeras and other villages in the immediate vicinity of Seguret;
5. Nyons, Rochegude, Suze-la-Rousse and the southern Drome.

tedgale

Here is an album (unlabeled) of my 60 favourite images of Provence, from our recent trip. Some appear on other albums but most are new to Fodors:

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?ai...;id=1126123095

Enjoy!

tedgale

I relented and labeled the photos. Now no-one will be mystified the subject and location of each photo......

tedgale

OK one final album -- Vaison and other villages near Seguret:

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?ai...;id=1126123095

By way of explanation:

Vaison-la-Romaine has become one of our favourite spots in the region. You don't need to be a fan of Roman ruins (and I'm not, really). There's lots more besides: a ruined castle...the smart restaurants and accommodation...the steep cobbled streets and the beautifully restored houses.

Transit through Vaison can be a pain, though -- especially on market Tuesdays. The whole west side of the town is barricaded. Basically, "you can't get there from here", especially if you need to cross the river Ouveze to the east bank, as we did.

Vaison stands on the edge of seriously mountainous terrain. We did two loops through the nearby hills, opting for Michelin green-lined roads. The trip through Buis les Baronnies was especially grand, the roads good and largely traffic free. We saw lots of German and French rock-climbers that day. I think they're insane, BTW.

In every direction from Vaison, there are attractive towns that merit a visit. Villedieu and Buisson were 2 such discoveries. They may not merit more than half an hour -- more if you choose a local restaurant for lunch or have a drink in a bar.

Le Crestet and Le Barroux are sleepy hill villages south of Vaison -- both have a remarkable chateau.

Our home base of Seguret was also a good staging point for the better known villages of the southern Drome: Rochegude, Taulignan, Suze-la-Rousse, Nyons. We did not have time to revisit St Paul Trois Chateaux or La Garde-Adhemar but they certainly merit a visit.

Closer to home are Gigondas, Cairanne, Roaix. And of course you have to climb the Dentelles de Montmirail...

moolyn

Ted, I finally got a chance to read your great trip report, thanks to Anselm for alerting the Toronto GTG group. I appreciate your relaxed approach to travel. I came across your report about Florence not long ago and enjoyed that one too.

Procrastination isn't always bad; I got to see your wonderful photos complete with labels!

tedgale

Hard to believe we were still in France 3 weeks ago today. I seems like a year ago. The photos keep the memory alive.

I will attend another Fodor's GTG on Sat., January 24 in Savannah GA. We may be 10-12 for that event, maybe more numerous.

We leave in 5 weeks for NYC for Christmas, then proceed by car, via Washington DC, to Savannah -- for the entire month of January.

We are renting from Suites on Lafayette:
www.suitesonlafayette.com

Our investments have tanked and our dollar is low but we're "carrying on regardless". Musing about where to go in March: I CANNOT stand an Ottawa winter!

plufmud

Tedgale,

Could you post your photos again? We are in visitng in June and based on everyone's comments your photos are incredible.

thanks

Kristinelaine

I'll second that request!

tedgale

Here are the Camargue and Petite Camargue:
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?ai...&id=1126123095

Here are the Calanques and Marseille:
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?ai...&id=1126123095

Here is the area of Uzes and the Gard:
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?ai...&id=1126123095

Here are Vaison and the villages of the Vaucluse:
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?ai...&id=1126123095

And here is nearby Seguret, where we rented a house:
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?ai...&id=1126123095

alan64

Thank you for re-posting the photos. They're inspiring, as we're planning a trip to Geneva, Lyon & Provence/Rhone region for late April.