Going to Italy and France for 22 days the day after Thanksgiving. Will spend 2 days in Rome (been there several times before), then 4 days in Santa Margarhita Ligure / Portofino, 7 days in Villefranche Sur Mer taking day trips up and down the Riviera. I want to arrive in Paris 12/15/03 for 6 days so I have 3 days between the Riviera and Paris to do something. Looking for ideas where to spend those 3 days. I like sightseeing, cities with nice old town areas, cathedrals, impressionism art and regional food. I am considering Montpellier and Aix en Provence. Any other suggestions would be appreciated.

Thanks,
Larry J

How about Annercy and the area around there

I would think Montpellier would dewfinitely be the better choice. For one thing, there is very good TGV service direct to Paris, none from Aix as far as I know.

I haven't been to Montpellier so can't say directly, but I've always wanted to from reading about it. It's always sounded like a pleasant city. I like Aix very much, also, especially if you are interested in the architecture as there are some lovely parts of town.

Either would be good. Aix does have a TGV station with good TGV connections to Paris. This was built a couple years ago.

I was doing some research here on Villefranche and noticed this thread. LarryJ, or anyone else who has been there, can you give me some info about Villefranche? We will be spending a week there in July and would like information on area restaurants, shops for groceries (renting an apartment), day trips in the area, etc. Thanks for any information you can offer.

You didn't say how you will be traveling during the trip. There are several of the more commonly recommended places, such as Avignon, Arles, Nimes, Orange, Aix, and Montpellier, or places like Annecy if you want a lake/mountain experience. But if you want to experience something different and totally fascinating, stop at Le Puy-en-Velay a couple hundred miles north of Avignon. It's a village in an incredible setting, with art, cathedrals, history, and a fascinating old town. Not many people go there because it's somewhat off the regular tourist path, so you could become one of the few experts on the place. Good luck.

Marianna, you would be better off starting your own new thread with the name Villefranche in the title as opposed to adding to this one with NO direct link to the info you seek. Villefranche is lovely & has a number of decent restaurants, although I don't remember specific names & stayed in a hotel so didn't notice markets.

As to the area-you're just next door to Cap Ferrat which has the beautiful Rothschild Villa-Ephrussi now open as a museum with fabulous gardens. Villa Kyrlos in Beaulieu, another museum, is also quite close. You're also a short (train) ride away from Monaco, not to mention Nice, Eze, St Paul de Vence, Vence. All these places are much closer than those Wayne mentioned.

The Cours Saleya (market area) in Nice is a great place to buy fruit, veg, cheese etc. Check for days & times as certain days it's food & other days it's antiques (brocantes). Vence is a market town & also has great food shops. You could combine a shopping/touring expedition. Have you looked at the website provencebeyond.com for more info on the area?

There actually IS TGV service to Aix now, on the new TGV Méditeranée route; a whole new station was built on the town's outskirts. There's a rental-car agency at the station, as well as taxis to take you into Aix.

Lyon - great food, and a nice old town area.