We will be using Arles as a base for three days in April, and will have a car. We would like to visit the Luberon and other fun parts of Provence. Do you have any recommendations as far as "must sees" (besides the obvious ones like Pont du Gard, Avignon...)? Thanks!

Worth a visit and just outside of Arles, in the direction of Fontvieille and Les Baux, is the Abbaye de Montmajour.<BR><BR>Les Baux, of course... as well as Glanum and the Mausole de St Paul (where Van Gogh did several of his paintings) in St. Remy. Eygalieres is a charming perched village near St. Remy that also has an excellent restaurant - Chez Bru (Bistro d'Eygalieres).<BR><BR>In the Luberon, the Abbaye de Senanque, not far from Gordes is a beautiful place to visit as well as Fontaine-de-Vaucluse and Pernes-les Fontaines. Rousillon shouldn't be missed - the red ochre cliffs are stunning. Oppede le Vieux is one of my favorite villages - it hasn't been 'renovated' to death like Gordes.<BR><BR>Saignon, near Apt is also a charming little village for a visit.<BR><BR>PB

Thanks PB. Any other suggestions out there?

Apt is also a nice town, not a small village but not really big. And the road from Apt to Peyruis is a really interesting drive; stop at any of the little villages along the way and look into their markets and shops.

You must have a look at the Camargue, just below Arles - the delta for the Rhone with its lovely flamingos, wild horses and bulls. Also Les Baux as already mentioned and L'Isle la Sorgue, a really enchanting town with several water streams running through it and plenty of waterwheels - just delightful

Hi Tim. I second the mentions of Les Baux, L'Isle sur la Sorgue and, especially, Rousillon. <BR><BR>If you happen to visit Oppede le Vieux, which PB mentioned, I believe that the village of Lacoste is nearby. The ruins of the Marquis de Sade's chateau perches above the town and has a fine view over the valley. (PB, thanks for your mention of Oppede le Vieux as one of your favorites; I planned to visit that on my first trip to Provence, but didn't, so I'll make a note to not miss it again.)<BR><BR>Since it sounds like you'll be visiting the Pont du Gard, you could also drive a bit further to the town of Uzes, which has a nice self-guided walking tour and a beautiful town square, the Places aux Herbes. <BR><BR><BR><BR>

Thanks to all who responded - these are great suggestions! I've done some research already, and it's nice to hear that some of my plans sound like they are worth visiting.