iregeo2

Thanks Stu. I actually just sent an email to them.

StuDudley

>> PS - I would be bored stiff with 2 weeks in Aigues Mortes. <<

I meant 2 days in Aigues Mortes.

Stu Dudley

iregeo2

Stu Dudley, thanks for your input. I think it will be fine. We are using it as a base to explore the Camargue. My friend is a photographer and wants to photograph some wildlife with early morning light. In fact, I look forward to it.

zebec

Hi Iregeo,
Hmmmm, 2 nights in the Luberon. Maybe for a change of pace plus a unique feature, you could check out Cucuron? Its 'etang' water pool and village vibe would feel different from your other chosens. The ratio of tourists to locals would also appeal.
Bon chance.
I am done. The Russel Crowe movie.

iregeo2

Thanks zebec. I'm on it!

kja

Sounds to me like it should be nice!

StuDudley

Zero nights in the Luberon near Gordes/Rousillon/Bonnieux - your loss!! Too bad!!!

Stu Dudley

kja

@ StuDudley: If you read the part of the itinerary I did not quote, you'd see that the OP wrote, "I am now looking for a 2 night base in the Luberon for a Friday and Saturday."

iregeo2

Don't worry StuDudley. We wouldn't miss it for the word!

StuDudley

Thanks - I should have done a little more reading.

Stu Dudley

iregeo2

Thanks in large part to recommendations received here, our final itinerary is:

9/24-25 - LAX-CDG, TGV to Aix

9/25-26 - Explore Aix on my own.

9/27 - TGV to Avignon, meet friend and rent car. We are skipping Avignon on this trip. Can't do everything.

9/27-28 - Uzes for 2 nights, by way of Pont du Gard. We get to experience market day!

9/29-30 - Aigues-Mortes for 2 nights, explore Aigues-Mortes and Camargue, including museum, bird sanctuary, salt marshes, and hope for some beautiful horse sightings! Special shout out to kja and St Cirq for recommending this area. kja, will reread your post, and try to walk in your footsteps, as you covered it all.

10/1-3 - St. Remy for 3 nights. Explore Arles, St. Remy, Les Baux, including Les Carrières de Lumières , Maussanne les Apilles, Eygalieres, or whatever else peaks our fancy.

10/4-5 - Luberon - Waiting to hear back on reservation in a farmhouse between Bonnieux and Loumarin. Explore Luberon, or sit on our cans, whichever feels right at the time.

10/6-7 - Back to Aix for 2 nights, as friend wants to see also.

10/8 - Scenic drive to Nice Airport, via Tourettes sur Loupe? Recommendations gladly accepted for this drive and day.

10/9 - NCE-LAX - back to real life, via business class.

Dining recommendations gladly accepted for all locations.

Merci beaucoup for all of your help!

kja

Only walk in my footsteps if you're willing to wear yourself out! Seriously, I didn't have time to visit the Constance Tower, which I think I would have enjoyed, and I think I would have enjoyed a stop in Saints Maries de la Mer, too.

I visited almost all of the places you mention for this trip, so can say with confidence that you will see some wonderful things.

iregeo2

kja, we intend to spend the first day getting to and exploring Aigues-Mortes, and the next running like crazies through the Camargue. We've decided to skip Saints Maries de la Mer, as we believe we are "off season' for its festivities.

StCirq

Restaurant reccos:

In Arles, L'Atelier de Joel Robuchon. He used to have a very homey, welcoming place out in the fields of the Camargue where you just paid a fixed fee for a 20-something-course meal he designed with products he raised and grew that was both delicious and gorgeous. He seems to have become something of a superstar chef with this concept, so you may find it not to your liking, at least in terms of price. When he first moved to Arles it was still a wonderful dining experience, but it's been a few years since I was there, so check it out and make up your own mind.

Also in Arles: La Telline. Even if you don't go here to eat tellines, be sure to have them somewhere!

In Aigues-Mortes: Ni Vu, Ni Connu; Le Feu ô Plumes; La Viguerie. And the Café de la Commerce, smack in the middle of the Place Saint Louis, is reliable and affordable.

jpie

Restaurants:

I mentioned up above near Les Baux that we we really liked the restaurant at the Mas d'Aigret. They used to be a Michelin 1 Star and decide to essentially "give up the star" so they could focus on a more cozy style of local cooking. It was very nice.

https://www.masdaigret.com/en/restaurant.html

On another post I also mentioned a restaurant we liked near Uzes in a village called Castillon-du-Gard about 15 minutes drive the restaurant is called L'AMPHITRYON. They are bit more fine dining but still real reasonable for the experience. They also have a less expensive "little sister" restaurant in the same village called Les Jarres focused more on tapas and grilled specialties. It is better to reserve for both places-they only reserve by phone. Here is info for both places Lundi, jeudi, vendredi, samedi et dimanche Ouvert de 12h00 à 13h30 et 19:30 à 21h30 (Open for lunch and dinner M, Th, Fri, Sat and Sun lunch and dinner)

Fermé le mardi et mercredi (closed Tuesday, Weds)


Les Jarres

https://restaurant-lamphitryon.ovh/les-jarres/

Telephone for Les Jarres: 04 66 03 33 84

Horaires d’ouverture (Hours)
Lundi, jeudi, vendredi, samedi de 12h00 à 13h30 et 19h00 à 20h30 (M, Th, Fr, Sat for lunch and dinner)
Dimanche de 12h00 à 13h30 (Sunday lunch only)
Mardi et mercredi, fermé (closed Tuesday and Weds.)

Here is a photo I took last June in the center of the village at sunset:


Castillon-du-Gard just before dinner

You have a great trip planned! I look forward to reading about it when you get back