Visiting Provence
 

A friend has generously lent us an apartment in Monaco for 10 days in mid-July, we'll have a car and hope to explore some of the wonderful little villages of Provence. I'd appreciate suggestions for day trips, sites to see and meals not to be missed. All ideas welcomed--we are hoping to have a fabulous trip. Thanks, Cindi

cindi - sounds luxurious allow your self a VERY FUNNY read before you go to provence - Peter mayles book "A year in Provence" was a MOsnter best-seller ( with good reason ) an English guy who delved into the midst of this region and was mesmerised by its food and culture. You will gather excellent 'flacor' of the region if you read this...
here's the link to Amazon -->
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg...ce&s=books

"flacor" a french word for flavor....no, really :-)

You'll be just in time to see/smell the lavender in bloom!

Monaco to Provence - "day-trips".
First I would suggest you get a copy of the Yellow Michelin #245 map to see where Monaco is and then Provence.

Even on the Peage (super highway) it's about 3-1/2 hrs or more to Aix-en-Provence and that is only the beginning of Provence. To get into the heart of Provence - the Luberon towns, St. Remy, Les Baux, Arles, Avignon, Pont du Neuf, Aigues Mortes, etc. is minimum another 50-70 miles. "Day-trips" not likely, unless you plan to stay over somewhere for a few days. And July is a very busy time to find rooms.

It is much easier to do "day-trips" in and around Monaco - going east to Ventimiglia in Italy (Roquebrune, Menton etc.) you pass some charming towns - going west is Villefrance Cap Ferate, Eze, Nice (lots of museaums, Chagal & Matisse), perched villages of St. Paul de Vence, the Meaght Fndtn Museau, Biot (glassworks), Grasse (perfume capitol), Cannes and further west to St. Tropez.

There are lots of tourists and road traffic during July, so unless you make arrangements to stay someplace in Provence area, suggest you stick with the towns along the Cote d'Azur.

Sandi, Babette and Playlad, Thanks for the great advice--especially about the traffic. I'll refine my question to seek out suggestions for things to see and do and --especially to eat--within a few hours of Monaco.
I can't wait to smell the lavender! Cindi

A tiny village perched on the side of a mountain that we loved was Gourdon. Also, the old village of Mougin in charming--lots of wonderful restaurants, and the view from the top floor of the Picasso Photo gallery is wonderful. Also, the Picasso Museum in Antibes is a gem as are St. Paul de Vence and the Musee National Picasso in Ville de Vallauris (don't miss the chapel!)

I'm sure you'll have a fabulous time!

Thanks, Art lover. We, too, are art lovers so this sounds like a must!

The Foundation Maeght is A MUST in St Paul!!!!

Cprcanary -

Sorry to disappoint, but the Lavandar will be burnt by July. The Lavandar blooms in the spring. And it's way to hot in summer to survive.

no, that's not true -- the lavender is often there until August (blooms a little later is some parts, in fact the lavender festival is in August in one part of Provence0--Sault, I believe). I've been there close to mid-July (around 1st to 12th) and the lavender was still quite profuse.

The first flowers appear in June and are havested in July through August.
Sault's lavender festival, a two day affair is around the 15th. and in Valensole, July 20th. A wonderful celebration in Digne, dedicated to Lavender, the first week-end in August.

Hi

someone was right to point out that Monaco to Provence is a long way.

My lavender is pretty well finished. The flowers are dropping off, and the plants are starting to look bald.

We've had very hot dry weather for the last 14 days, maybe that's why.

Peter
http://tlp.netfirms.com

Christina -
Thank you for the info on the Lavendar.
Friends have always mentioned that they hoped to see the Lavendar when visiting during summer, but always found the Lavendar just terribly destroyed by the sun and heat.
Glad to hear that is survives in some areas.