2 nights in Cassis and 2 nights in St. Remy of Provence? Or 4 nights where?

I’ve stayed in Arles and St. Remy and while both were fine I would choose St. Remy to stay in again. Arles is better for public transportation, which does not seem to be an issue for you.

What if you drive to Cassis in the morning, about a 2 hour drive, take your boat ride and maybe squeeze in a winery or two? Spend the night, do whatever else want to do in Cassis, if anything, then head west. Arles is about a 1.5 hour drive from Cassis. See what you want to see in Arles on your way to St. Remy. Spend 3 nights there, giving you time in Avignon and some smaller towns. I’ve only been to the TGV station in Avignon so can’t say what there is to see there. I’ve focused on the smaller places. I understand your relative is traveling vicariously through you, but surely you don’t have to commit to a lot of time there. Is there something specific the relative wants you to see?

What time of year and any specific must-see sights? What will you experience with your 5 nights in Nice?

Arles was enjoyably laid back when we were there last July. It has a lot to offer including a window into a critical part of Van Gogh's life and work. That said, I'm not sure you will go wrong with staying in either locale since you are planning a visit regardless.

I would however describe Nice as a bustling city. Packed beaches, busy promenade, and parasailing operators are part of the mix. Just something to be aware of if this isn't what you had in mind.

We also loved the vibe in Cassis including the marina at night and the Calanques, but if you are getting enough beach community time elsewhere you could skip it and give yourself an excuse to return. This region has plenty to experience away from the water.

Might I suggest you do all 4 nights in St. Remy. Very central to what you will want to see, and you only unpack once. And a nice town to explore in its own right. We did six nights at a bed and breakfast that included a two-bedroom farmhouse and other rooms on the property. Every day we got up and headed out in a different direction, like spokes on a bicycle. Arles, Nimes, Pont du Gard, Avignon, Cassis, Aix en Provence and the Luberon wine country (see Rick's book). Great roads. An unexpected surprise was the hilltown of Gordes, which is featured in the movie, A Good Year, where we arrived on market day. The owners, Raphael and Jordane Marsot, were terrific. They brought us fruits and veggies from the property and helped with our travel planning.

Here is a link to their Facecbook page. More details? PM me.

https://www.facebook.com/masdelacroixdarles
Phone number +33 6 28 98 30 56

Unless you're planning to do stops along the way, you might consider taking the fast train from Nice to the TVG station on the outskirts of Avignon and renting a car there. We took the one from Paris to Avignon, spent one night there and saw the sights the next day, then went to the Pont du Gard and afterward to St. Remy.

If you talk with them, tell them Jim from Louisiana said hello.

I would use Avignon as the base. It has way better restaurants than those other places. St Remy is small and cozy but a little boring - but it has some great Roman ruins just outside, and very close to Les Baux. Arles is ok, but it just never seems as fun as it should be. Nimes on the other hand is very nice in many ways and a place I want to visit again. You can also visit the Roman theatre in Orange which is a short train ride from Avignon or Arles.

Cassis is pretty small with a stony beach. I think it's nice to visit for an afternoon, but food is overpriced and not much to do. Also the train station is kind of a small taxi ride into the city.

Bandol reds are pretty good, but if you are OK with white, Cassis has wineries too! No need to travel to Bandol.

Mérci beaucoup to everyone who has replied! It's sincerely appreciated.

My boss, I mean wife, decided on 4 nights in St. Remy of Provence.

Day trips to Pont de Gard/Nimes, Arles and most likely Roussillon. We'll also be stopping in Aix-en-Provence while driving from Antibes to St. Remy de Provence.

Would anyone be able to help with hotel recommendations in St. Remy de Provence?

Rick's recommended Mas des Tourterelles Chambres looks nice, but judging from the pictures the beds look uncomfy. Le Mas des Carassins looks nice also. Leaning towards Le Mas des Carassins at the moment.

Thank you!!!

We did a splurge hotel in San Remy. There is an actually 17th century mansion made into a hotel. The employees dress in period costume. It was a cool experience. It was maybe 1.5 miles outside of town. It was more expensive but it was a cool experience.

Antibes is a great choice.

If you go to Antibes, there are a number of art museums, but there is also a studio tour of one of the most famous impressionist painters, Cezanne.

https://www.cezanne-en-provence.com/en/the-cezanne-sites/atelier-de-cezanne/

For Nimes, there is the large park with swans, a Roman temple ruin, a nice walk up the hill to an ancient watch tower, a smaller coliseum and some Roman temples, a nice walkway with fountains, and also a good selection of restaurants.

I agree with those who recommend St Remy. We spent two nights there last month & wished we’d stayed longer! We rented a luxury 3BR mansion in the city center, which had parking for our car & was easy to walk to restaurants & local sights. St Remy is also close to the hill towns of the Luberon, where we rented a house for a week in Bonnieux. It was an experience of a lifetime to explore this area of France, especially when the lavender fields were in full bloom! Good luck on your trip!

Thanks everyone!

We decided on Mas des Carassins for 4 nights in St. Remy.