Would very much appreciate getting feedback about whether this is a good place to base ourselves for an 8 day trip to Provence (next June or July) Would love to hear reports-- pro and con-- about the Best Western there. Am especially interested to know whether trains go by that hotel. (I know there are train tracks, but not sure if train is still running in that area.) Hoping to find someplace very tranquil and quiet for base.

Also thinking perhaps 4 nights in Villeneuve-- and 4-- where?... (for peace and quiet, but also convenience to touring).

Many thanks!

Villeneuve is nice if you want to be away from it all (which I rarely do).

I have not checked trains, but I do know that most transportation to and from Villeneuve is by bus from Avignon.

Avignon is where I would stay, but watch out for the dates of the festival, which covers most of July. Also, the festival overlaps into Villeneuve, with usually about 15 or 20 spectacles based there.

If you want tranquil & quiet, I would stay someplace much farther away from the Avignon area. If you want to spend big $$$ perhaps Host. Crillon la Brave in Crillon la Brave, or a place in Venasque, or Kevin's B&B in St Saturnin les Apt(http://www.masperreal.com/index.html) in the Luberon.

Stu Dudley

~I loved staying in Villeneuve (17 days)
I had choices as a non-driver to walk across the bridge, take the bus or the commuting boat.

Where in Provence do you plan to go? Villeneuve is a nice little town, but I wouldn't call it especially tranquil--it's right across the river from the big city of Avignon.

Consider staying instead in or around St-Rémy or in the Lubéron.

Jean, it is tranquil, that's why everyone goes to Avignon instead.

poo, I just realized La Magnaneraie is the Best Western. It's a lovely place and short walk to the center of town. I was staying in the center at the tranquil Le Prieuré and walked there one night for dinner. There are no trains but in Avignon just outside the walls near the Hotel Europe is the train station. The bus stops by the water fontaine that was around the corner from my hotel. The boat leaves from up the street that leads to the Tower de Phillipe le Bel.

We stayed at B.W. La Magnaneraie in Villeneuve and it was wonderful--the rooms are lovely and eating dinner on the patio under huge trees was romantic. It was truly a high point in our trip. The little village is charming and you can catch the bus near the hotel to connect to other areas, although we had a rented car. It made a great base from which to visit Provence.

We highly recommend it!

Many thanks for the replies. We're in our late 70's and go to sleep early (9 ish). Have no interest in nightlife or "action." Like to find accommodation that's easy walk to pleasant restaurants and easy access to drive or bus to other towns for daytime touring; also pleasant to stroll around itself. Enjoy liveliness in daytime, just not at night. Magnaneraie sounded as if it might fit the bill. (or Le Prieuri? Cigalechanta: Can you describe the difference between the two, please? Prieuri more expensive, yes?)
Will check out other suggestions. Just in beginning planning stages. Not yet sure where we want to go. May depend on where we find most suitable accommodations.
I look forward to more in-put. Thanks so much.

Le Prieure in Villeneuve-les-Avignon is a lovely place in every way!

We had a beautiful, very large room and huge bath with balcony. The gardens are lovely.

Dining ourside when the weather is nice can be lovely.

Many fond memories from there.....

Enjoy....

We stayed in Villeneuve and liked it--but getting up to our hotel and back down again took a bit of doing. I wouldn't choose the BW La Magnanaerie as a base, although Le Prieuré might work as it's down at the bottom of the town.

Le Prieuré I prefer. After dinner, I would sit in the Herb garden where I made the acquaintance of the first hedgehog I have ever see. He was asleep. I thought he was a rock and picked him up. Surprise. I gave him nibbles from my sweets given with my digestif. That became a nightly ritual and when the kitchen staff saw that, (the door they leave from, is behind me)
They brought me nibbles for him. I named him Pierre. This hotel was featurd in the book by Judy Krantz, called Mistral's daughter. Loosely based on Picasso. Years later, it was a mini series starring Stacy Keach.
There's modern part of the hotel by the pool-AVOID. I loved the old part whre there is a living room/library and being alone, I had a charming oval room overlooking the dining terreace. If I could afford to go back I would again and again but that year was special as an older woman alone. I was fearful at first and ended up loving every minite. There's afamou Provençal garden there but everytime I tried to visit, no one showed up to let me pay and enter.

Another vote for Villeneuve-les-Avignon!

grandmere , I was happy to see you and your darling on Coco's site, in case I forgot to tell you.

We met our first and only hedgehog in England at a nice hotel near St. Albans, set in a large garden. The little guy saw us and froze, and all I could think of was "If I had a flamingo, we could play croquet!" (Not that we would have, of course.)

Jean, I have a wonderful children's book(I bought for myself) Miss Jasters Garden. It's about an elderly lady who unknowingly has planted seeds on a hedgehog's back who sleeps in fer garden, they start sprouting and the animal runs away .... and later Miss Jaster and the hedgie become friends.

Sounds very cute, Mimi--alas, decent used copies go for $34 up.

Thank you, Cigale!

I've retired in last 3 weeks and don't have your email on my home pc; could you send me an email (still being forwarded from my work for next few days)so I have yours? Merci!
I've been meaning to write and catch up with you.

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