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5 Nights in St. Remy-de-Provence OR Vaison-la-Romaine

Advice is needed. After spending 8 days in Sarlat, four adults are headed to one of these two towns for another 4 nights. After reading Ricks guidebook and this forum, I am still conflicted on which town to select. We do have a car.

History and doing the 'local thing' is a passion for us these past ten years. We have become addicted to the Steve's style of travel, along with his recommendations of activities. I know they are about an hour apart, but I hope to put down in just one location for the 4 nights. Thanks in advance for your opinions!

Posted by
2766 posts

Both have plenty of choices in local short drives to pleasant fields and villages, so:

If you're fans of historical ruins and walking then go for Vaison;
if you're committed to using the car a lot then go for St. Remy.

My impression is that French travelers who lean towards outdoorsy/camping tend to favor the Vaison area, those with more of a twee cafe interest go to St. Remy.

I strongly recommend engaging a guide for the day in Vaison to learn more about the history, and to go to the market days in both spots to see how the same kind of commercial bustle continues to take place within earshot of the old ruins!

On the other hand, if you're coming from Sarlat maybe you will have had enough of the woods already and want easier access to Camargue and the river towns farther south by St. Remy.

Posted by
10632 posts

I agree with avirosemail. St. Remy leans toward chic while Vaison is not only Roman ruins but biking and hiking the Mt. Ventoux, as well. These are tendencies, not absolutes.

Posted by
336 posts

I find St-Rémy to be much more central if you want to move around, either south to places like Cassis or Arles, west to Nimes, or even north to Orange and Mont Ventoux.

Posted by
9436 posts

i recommend watching videos on YouTube of both of these towns to help you get a feel for them. We watched a lot of videos yesterday of many towns/cities in Provence to help us plan our upcoming trip. It was immensely helpful.

Posted by
45 posts

Wonderful suggestions... thanks avirosemail and yes... I did hire an historical guide for Vaison already. To Bets, avirosemail and Claude: I appreciate your thoughts on the differences between the two locations. I will have to quiz our group at a deeper level to figure our final step but I am now leaning to St R.

Susan.... I am looking at those Youtube videos tonight! Really good idea.

Posted by
885 posts

We did not have any troubles parking in Vaison, but we weren’t looking for a place on market day.

Posted by
4132 posts

Poll your group about places they woyuld like to visit while there. If they are in the lower Rhone valley, St Remy. If the Luberon, Vaison.

Mind you, they are not so very far apart, though there are hills. But if there is a clear geographic trend the right choice can reduce the amount of your days you spend in a car.