To Paris and Provence in June
Dec 9th, 2013, 09:33 AM
#41
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Jim, the Champs Elysées is IMO by far the most sterile, boring part of Paris. Think big box stores, American chains, car dealerships, overpriced touristy mediocre restaurants and cafés. And it's not even particularly close to much of anything except its overrated self. I'd worry far more about the location you've chosen than the time of year.
Dec 9th, 2013, 09:34 AM
#42
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22 and up???? Wow - you did pretty good!!!
My comments about an IDP were for France. We got one for the Czech Republic, Austria, and Hungary (same trip). Only other countries we've visited in the last 10 years by car were Italy (a lot), about 5 days in Spain, 5 in Switzerland, 3 in Belgium, and a couple of weeks in Great Britain.
Stu Dudley
My comments about an IDP were for France. We got one for the Czech Republic, Austria, and Hungary (same trip). Only other countries we've visited in the last 10 years by car were Italy (a lot), about 5 days in Spain, 5 in Switzerland, 3 in Belgium, and a couple of weeks in Great Britain.
Stu Dudley
Dec 9th, 2013, 09:42 AM
#43
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>>the Champs Elysées is IMO by far the most sterile, boring part of Paris. <<
The only occasion when we spend much time there is at Christmas, with the hundreds of booths lining both sides of the street.
Stu Dudley
The only occasion when we spend much time there is at Christmas, with the hundreds of booths lining both sides of the street.
Stu Dudley
Dec 9th, 2013, 11:52 AM
#45
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OK...scratch Champs Elysees Thanks for the comments.
How about an apartment on Rue Jean Pierre Timbaud, Arrondissement 11?
The Canadian Automobile Assoc is $100 to join...I don't think I want to spend that.
Parisamsterdam ..... can you tell me if you had to do anything else other than you Canadian licence.
For our timeframe I'm looking at the last week of June and 1st of July so probably will stay at that.
How about an apartment on Rue Jean Pierre Timbaud, Arrondissement 11?
The Canadian Automobile Assoc is $100 to join...I don't think I want to spend that.
Parisamsterdam ..... can you tell me if you had to do anything else other than you Canadian licence.
For our timeframe I'm looking at the last week of June and 1st of July so probably will stay at that.
Dec 9th, 2013, 02:16 PM
#48
Jim, everyone is right, you don't need an international permit
You'll find lots of inexpensive B&Bs in Provence.
About taxis, be aware you pay from where they are coming from.
So best to go to a taxi stand if one will be near you.
You'll find lots of inexpensive B&Bs in Provence.
About taxis, be aware you pay from where they are coming from.
So best to go to a taxi stand if one will be near you.
Dec 9th, 2013, 04:34 PM
#50
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Not sure about CAA, but in the US, You do not have to be a member to get the IDP at AAA.
I am guessing it is the same in Canada.
If you decide to rent a car for Provence (and I agree with others- do so), I suggest staying in a small town rather than a city. It's much easier to park and navigate. My favorite town is Lourmarin. It's lovely, surrounded by beautiful countryside, flat, easy parking, great cafes/restaurants, and good shopping.
I know of some nice, inexpensive apartments in Lourmarin, if you are interested.
There is a wonderful guidebook called Provence Byways (do a search- it's only available online) that I highly recommend.
Also, I prefer flying from Marseille. It's a great airport and easy to get to.
I am guessing it is the same in Canada.
If you decide to rent a car for Provence (and I agree with others- do so), I suggest staying in a small town rather than a city. It's much easier to park and navigate. My favorite town is Lourmarin. It's lovely, surrounded by beautiful countryside, flat, easy parking, great cafes/restaurants, and good shopping.
I know of some nice, inexpensive apartments in Lourmarin, if you are interested.
There is a wonderful guidebook called Provence Byways (do a search- it's only available online) that I highly recommend.
Also, I prefer flying from Marseille. It's a great airport and easy to get to.
Dec 9th, 2013, 09:35 PM
#52
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If your first "stay" is in Paris, take the TGV (train) from Paris to the Avignon TVG station, rent a car there, and drive to Lourmarin or wherever. Other options:
- Fly to Marseille from Canada, rent a car there, and drive to Lourmarin/wherever,
- Fly to the CDG airport in Paris, take the TGV from the Airport to the Avignon TGV station, and rent a car.
Lourmarin is a nice village, but it is not centrally located if you want to visit the Pont du Gard, Uzes, Vaison, Cote du Rhone winecountry & villages, lavender fields near Sault, Gorges de la Nesque, Arles, Nimes, Gorges de l'Ardeche/Aven d'Orgnac cave. OK for the Luberon, St Remy/Les Baux, and Aix.
Stu Dudley
- Fly to Marseille from Canada, rent a car there, and drive to Lourmarin/wherever,
- Fly to the CDG airport in Paris, take the TGV from the Airport to the Avignon TGV station, and rent a car.
Lourmarin is a nice village, but it is not centrally located if you want to visit the Pont du Gard, Uzes, Vaison, Cote du Rhone winecountry & villages, lavender fields near Sault, Gorges de la Nesque, Arles, Nimes, Gorges de l'Ardeche/Aven d'Orgnac cave. OK for the Luberon, St Remy/Les Baux, and Aix.
Stu Dudley
Dec 10th, 2013, 02:13 AM
#53
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Stu.. Do you have any other suggestions for a base in Provence? I have already booked an apartment in Paris so would fly in there, stay a week and then get the train south as you suggested.
Dec 10th, 2013, 04:12 AM
#54
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The French Embassy recommends an IDP and that is more recent, they didn't used to. So experience from years ago doesn't really pertain (I think some people commenting on this point haven't been there in years). But in the US, you don't have to belong to the auto association to get an IDP there, anyone can do it. And I believe that is the same in Canada, there isn't any requirement you belong to the AA, it costs CAD $25 to get an IDP. http://www.caa.ca/idp/
I didn't even like Lourmarin tghat much but it isn't a good location, I agree. I like a location just south of Carpentras myself, that is very central. Say in Isle-sur-la-Sorgue (but I stay in Pernes-les-Fontaines). I know you can find some things near there on homelidays.com or probably even VRBO. Of course you can find something on the French gites website, also. http://en.gites-de-france.com/
I stay in a really nice inn near there with pool and AC and it doesn't cost as much as you are looking to spend on an apt., so you might rethink your purpose for wanting one. If it's just to save money, you don't have to. This is where I stay, their doubles are only 88 euro in summer and only 81 euro a day in June (which is 118 CAD). http://www.hotel-lhermitage.com/ They have an enclosed car park, also, and are on a D road that makes it easy to get to other places (like Isle sur la Sorgues, Pernes les Fontaines is convenient and has one of my favorite restaurants, also).
I didn't even like Lourmarin tghat much but it isn't a good location, I agree. I like a location just south of Carpentras myself, that is very central. Say in Isle-sur-la-Sorgue (but I stay in Pernes-les-Fontaines). I know you can find some things near there on homelidays.com or probably even VRBO. Of course you can find something on the French gites website, also. http://en.gites-de-france.com/
I stay in a really nice inn near there with pool and AC and it doesn't cost as much as you are looking to spend on an apt., so you might rethink your purpose for wanting one. If it's just to save money, you don't have to. This is where I stay, their doubles are only 88 euro in summer and only 81 euro a day in June (which is 118 CAD). http://www.hotel-lhermitage.com/ They have an enclosed car park, also, and are on a D road that makes it easy to get to other places (like Isle sur la Sorgues, Pernes les Fontaines is convenient and has one of my favorite restaurants, also).
Dec 10th, 2013, 04:19 AM
#55
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Gee, Christina, even your info isn't up to date--why take the snarky little dig that others don't know what they are talking about.
We can all benefit from threads like this that say "things have changed".
We can all benefit from threads like this that say "things have changed".
Dec 10th, 2013, 05:20 AM
#56
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>>>can you tell me if you had to do anything else other than you Canadian licence.<<<
Just stop by one of CAA's branches and they'll take the photo and issue the permit to you on the spot. If you're not a member it might cost 5 dollars more.
Your friend's experience is immaterial as is whether they ask for an IDP or not at a rental desk. The bottom line is if the thing is now recommended by French authorities one should have it. Getting one or not is up to you. As Gretchen says above... 'things have changed'.
See St Cirq's post above from Dec 8. She owns a house in France and has done over 100 car rentals over the years... if she says you should have an IDP... take her advice of nobody else's. ;^)
Just stop by one of CAA's branches and they'll take the photo and issue the permit to you on the spot. If you're not a member it might cost 5 dollars more.
Your friend's experience is immaterial as is whether they ask for an IDP or not at a rental desk. The bottom line is if the thing is now recommended by French authorities one should have it. Getting one or not is up to you. As Gretchen says above... 'things have changed'.
See St Cirq's post above from Dec 8. She owns a house in France and has done over 100 car rentals over the years... if she says you should have an IDP... take her advice of nobody else's. ;^)
Dec 10th, 2013, 06:57 AM
#57
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>>Stu.. Do you have any other suggestions for a base in Provence?<<
If you want to stay in a village with lots of restaurants, cafes, shops, other Americans, with easy driving access in & out - St Remy is a very good base. So is l'Isle sur la Sorgue (as Cristina mentioned) - except on a Sunday (their market day - majorly crowded in late June/early July). If you want to stay in the countryside with perhaps vineyards & lavender fields around you - stay in the northern Luberon near Gordes.
I don't have any specific hotel/B&B/Apt recommendations (except Mas Perreal B&B - which is probably already full http://www.masperreal.com/index.html ). We've always stayed in Gites while in Provence. We're staying for 2 weeks in Goult (Luberon) next year.
Cristina - I've probably made the most "no IDL" comments on this thread, and we spend 2 months in France most years. Always at least 1 month. We were in the Gers, Lot, and the dept of the Loire near Roanne this year. I just can't imagine a French law enforcement person hauling me in or writing a ticket for not having a notarized translation of California to Californie and BLU to Blue. That's why I asked if any American was stopped this year & ticked for not having a notarized translation. I was stopped last year, but not this year. I also received 2 tickets for speeding last year (radar).
Stu Dudley
Stu Dudley
If you want to stay in a village with lots of restaurants, cafes, shops, other Americans, with easy driving access in & out - St Remy is a very good base. So is l'Isle sur la Sorgue (as Cristina mentioned) - except on a Sunday (their market day - majorly crowded in late June/early July). If you want to stay in the countryside with perhaps vineyards & lavender fields around you - stay in the northern Luberon near Gordes.
I don't have any specific hotel/B&B/Apt recommendations (except Mas Perreal B&B - which is probably already full http://www.masperreal.com/index.html ). We've always stayed in Gites while in Provence. We're staying for 2 weeks in Goult (Luberon) next year.
Cristina - I've probably made the most "no IDL" comments on this thread, and we spend 2 months in France most years. Always at least 1 month. We were in the Gers, Lot, and the dept of the Loire near Roanne this year. I just can't imagine a French law enforcement person hauling me in or writing a ticket for not having a notarized translation of California to Californie and BLU to Blue. That's why I asked if any American was stopped this year & ticked for not having a notarized translation. I was stopped last year, but not this year. I also received 2 tickets for speeding last year (radar).
Stu Dudley
Stu Dudley
Dec 10th, 2013, 07:20 AM
#58
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What parts of Provence are you interested in visiting? Narrowing that down will help us in suggesting a base and your choosing one.
Stu is right- Lourmarin is better as a base for visiting the Luberon, St Remy/Les Baux, and Aix.
I would train to Avignon and pick up the car there. Return at the Marseilles airport.
Here is a link to the Provence Byways guidebook-
http://www.provencebyways.com/byways.htm
Some apartments in Lourmarin-
http://www.olivettes.com/rental/apartments.php?id=7#
http://www.rentourhomeinprovence.com/nid.asp#
http://www.maisonnettesenprovence.co...n_provence.php
Stu is right- Lourmarin is better as a base for visiting the Luberon, St Remy/Les Baux, and Aix.
I would train to Avignon and pick up the car there. Return at the Marseilles airport.
Here is a link to the Provence Byways guidebook-
http://www.provencebyways.com/byways.htm
Some apartments in Lourmarin-
http://www.olivettes.com/rental/apartments.php?id=7#
http://www.rentourhomeinprovence.com/nid.asp#
http://www.maisonnettesenprovence.co...n_provence.php
Dec 11th, 2013, 06:14 PM
#60
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We set up our time for a week in Paris and a week in Arles planning to travel by train from Paris to Arles on July 1. But I read since that July 1 is a bad time to travel by train because of so much congestion. Should I look at changing my arrangements?
