My husband and I are taking our three children (14,12,& 9) to France in June 24. Landing in Marseille and staying for 12 nights total . Can anyone recommend a gite or a villa in the area? I would like to move to the countryside as opposed to staying in city. Have heard that Aix-en- Provence and Avignon areas are nice ... We plan to take the TGV to Paris for a couple night stay in Paris then spend the rest of the time touring south of france on day trips.. Am looking for advice from more seasoned travellers than me.

Thanks,

Lana

I would repost this on the Europe forum - tag it France. You'll get more replies there.

Thanks.

Aix en Provence is very nice but I haven't been to Avignon. Aix is nearer to Marseilles. Others here may be able to recommend Gites/Villas. Read some of the posts about Provence to recommend other places to tour around the south of France. Personally I loved the Languedoc area more than Provence but this is based on limited experience - I have stayed in St Raphael, and visited Cannes and St Tropes in the Provence.

Cassis is a lovely little fishing village not far from Marseille. I am not familiar with Gites or villas in the area but a nice hotel there is Jardins de Emile. An even nicer (but also more expensive) hotel is Roches Blanches.