Visiting Paris and Provence
 

Hi, I've never been to Paris and I would like to visit it and rent a car and visit some villages on the way to Provence. I am an interior decorator and lover of everything french country, so I want to find furniture markets, decorating, arts and beautiful towns. Any assistance will be greatly appreciated. I really don't know where to begin.

Thanks,
Carolyn

I wouldn't rent a car and drive to Provence. You can get there in half the time on the fast train, and everything you're looking for in the way of furniture, decorating, arts, etc. is right there in Provence, as are myriad villages. How would you get furniture into a rental car anyway? And how will you get it home? And are you aware of exchange rates?

Get hold of a couple of good guidebooks and a detailed map or two and get busy and have fun!

They have plenty of furniture and decorator items in Paris, lots of them shop at the famous flea markets, I think (like the one north of the city at Clignancourt, called Les Puces). Lots of those dealers can arrange shipments, I'm sure it's not cheap.

But if you really want stuff you find in Provence, I'd suggest you not rent a car in Paris, but fly there or take the train to some major place and then rent a car (like Avignon). They do have some well-known antique shops in Isle sur la Sorgue, for one place. They always have lots of roving markets in various towns on different days, but I wouldn't want to plan to finding anything super special in those, you could waste a lot of time. They have a famous antique market on Sundays in Isle sur la Sorgue, that would be a start. I'm sure they can arrange shpping, also.

There are probably lots of books on this specialty topic, to be honest, at least some to give you an idea. Here's some info to get you started on Isle-sur-la-Sorgue market

http://www.avignon-et-provence.com/t...m#.UWcrraLU9P0

http://www.beyond.fr/villages/islesorgue.html

http://www.francetravelguide.com/mar...la-sorgue.html

There are probably some guides or info online that can steer you to the best Provencal weekly markets for furniture. Apt has a big market, also, I've been there, but wasn't looking for that so don't recall if it is good for decor/furniture or not. I think Aix may be a good place to look for furniture and decor also, perhaps better than Avignon.

info on Apt market
http://www.beyond.fr/villages/apt.html

Corolyn try this list.

http://www.travelandleisure.com/arti...ng-in-provence

Thank you for all your comments. They are really helpful. I was thinking that if I found something that I really love, I'll have it shipped - if the costs aren't too prohibitive. But it looks like I'm going to have lots of reading and research to do before I go.

This is a fabulous site. Thank you again for your feedback. I will check out some of the links.