Gretchen

You will miss much in Provence if you don't drive. And there is no problem driving with your US license. Driving is quite easy once you know that you are directed by the next town more than by the route number--direction Avignon at a roundabout, for instance (tried to do French spelling!!).
Aix is my most unfavorite town--big, traffic, crowded. Much more charming and fun places.

Christina

First, the French embassy does recommend you get an IDP for France, even though it may not be legally required. It's not a big burden to do that, it doesn't cost much, I believe they have an auto assocation in Canada as in the US.

I would not stay in Paris without AC in early July, that's for sure, but I've been there in July numerous times and with global warming, the odds are that it will be hot in early July. It didn't used to be that way 20 years ago or so, but I won't go now in July without it. I've had many sleepless nights due to the heat in July when I was in a place without AC. And then you are stuck opening the windows and get all the street noise, which is almost as important a reason as the heat.

If you don't want to pay for it (such apts are much fewer in number and may cost more), you can get by, and there is some chance it won't be necessary. It's up to you. Many Paris vacation apts do not have AC.

StuDudley

Aix is our favorite town - nice shops (my wife's favorite shopping town), great restaurants, good daily farmer's market and a larger one on Tu, Th, Sat, people-watching on the Cours Mirabeau, water fountains galore, and much less confusing/congested traffic than Avignon - especially if you access it from exit #30 on the A8.

Stu Dudley

Jim143

Has anyone else had any experience with the "Like Living There" agency that Allan mentioned

Sassafrass

We also love Aix, have been three times and would go again in a heartbeat, but not as a base for touring. The city center is beautiful with lovely squares, huge plane trees and nice places to eat sitting outside, easy walking everywhere.

ParisAmsterdam

Jim,

As others have said, you will miss out if you don't have a car for Provence. There is no 'red tape'. I love driving in France...the drivers are much more skilled than the drivers where I live!

Go to http://www.autoeurope.com Then phone them to discuss your needs. They have an 800 number.

You can get a car with full insurance and a zero deductible if you do not have coverage already on your credit card. Having an IDP for France is new but the cost is only 20 bucks if you're a CAA member.

You don't mention where in Canada you live but be sure to check airfares with AirTransat and Corsair. Flying out of Montreal they are always less expensive than AirCanada et al. AT flies in and out of multiple French cities in the summer so you could start in Paris and fly home from Nice.

mamcalice

We enjoyed Aix but have found St. Remy a much better base from which to tour Provence. I agree that you need a car to see Provence at its best. St. Remy is a smaller, very pleasant town with good restaurants and it is much better to get in and out of with a car.

StCirq

As of spring of 2013 (April or May, I forget which), French law regarding the international driver's permit changed - you DO need one now (and no, rental car companies have nothing to do with this and may not even mention it to you), so GET one!

lateinlifetraveler

I an reading this thread with interest since we would love to visit Provence.

StuDudley

I'm not sure it is a "law" that I must have an International Driver's Permit. According to this:
http://www.ambafrance-us.org/spip.php?article376
It seems that I must have a notarized translation - but there is almost nothing to translate on my US driver's license except "California" (which any French law enforcement person should have no trouble with). Obviously my name, address, height, and weight (usually way off) doesn't need translation. My eye color (BLU) is closer to French than English. My birthday 6/6/47 shouldn't be any trouble.

Has anyone been stopped and asked for a "translation" or an International Drivers Permit? We were stopped in June '12 and the police didn't request any translation.

Stu Dudley

StCirq

It must be a notarized translation, and yes, it's supposed to include all those simple details: eye color, etc. The IDP substitutes for the notarized translation. I highly doubt any French police person would ask for it, but the wording of the directive from the embassy changed last spring to include that notarized translation bit.

nukesafe

You don't really need to spend that much on simple rooms in France. We usually stay for two weeks, coming from the Seattle area, and we have never spent much more than your budget. For example, this Spring we have rented a place in Paris for late May for two weeks that will cost us US$833/week. It is no palace, but it looks clean and has good reviews. https://www.airbnb.com/rooms/1225356 I would assume you can do as well or better in Provence.

StuDudley

I would be interested in knowing how many French police officers took the time to "write up" a US person because "California" and BLU were not translated.

Stu Dudley

iris1745

Stu; Bottom line, why not get an IDP. With photo at an AAA office it costs $22 US dollars.

We always get an IDP in any country that we have a hired car, required or not.

StuDudley

No problem getting an IDP - there is an AAA office 5 mins from where we live. I'm just kinda of curious as to why it is necessary... I just can't imagine it being a big deal if I don't have one.

Any basketball tournaments lately???

Stu Dudley

Jim143

I will check out the Canadian Automobile Association. Are there any Canadians on line who have driven lately in France?
Stu, your comments on it being regularly cold in June worry me a little. Coming from Atlantic Canada I'm hoping to leave that behind! Perhaps I need to move into early July?
We are looking at an apartment on the Champs Elysées not far from the Arc de triomphe, just wondering how convenient that location would be for walking touring Paris, public transportation and getting from and to the airport

MarySteveChicago

Dh was stopped outside of Lyon in '2012. Huge language barrier but he was not asked for his US drivers license nor given a ticket. Just told by hand gesture to move on. I'm going to follow this thread closely. Googling gave little insight

Jim, you'll be close to the Eiffel Tower. Be sure to ride on the Batobus on the Seine. You can begin at the ET and stop at many sights. Mary

StuDudley

>>Stu, your comments on it being regularly cold in June worry me a little.<<

You asked about air conditioning. If you had asked about a heater, I would have said that in Provence in '03 there was a major heatwave in mid June. We spent mid-day in the air conditioned car or bobbing in & out of our swimming pool. I think they had another major heatwave in '05 when we were there.

I would estimate that in the 12 or so weeks we've been in Provence in June since '99, we were able to dine outside at night 75-80% of the time.

IMO, you WANT it to be cool in Paris. My most miserable experiences in Paris have been when it's hot. That saps the energy out of us. In cool weather, we can walk & walk & walk forever.

I would not go in July. We only go to France in July if we want to be in the mountains then.

Stu Dudley

ParisAmsterdam

>>>Are there any Canadians on line who have driven lately in France?<<<

Moi for one. I first drove in France at the age of 18 and most recently in my, er, let's say late 50s...

iris1745

For me it's piece of mind to have an IDP, as it is in eight languages.

For our 27 driving trips to Europe, only three times can I remember being asked for the IDP.

Twice by the car rental agency and once by the Portugal police.

I just feel comfortable with the IDP.

BB tournament at Holy Cross and we lost in the semi-finals. [Age 22 and up.]