Avignon hotel recommendations

There is a Mercure (Accor brand) across the plaza from the Palais des Papes. We have used the underground parking ramp several times but have never stayed at the hotel.

We have used Mercure hotels all across France and found them to be nice places. In the past, Mercures have had two stay for the price of one for rooms and breakfasts if you were over 60. That was the age used the last time we were in France, two years ago.

I stayed at the Hotel Central in 2012 and thought it was very convenient. It's inside the walls but only a couple of blocks from the central train station where you get the shuttle bus to the TGV station. Rooms are air conditioned with ensuite baths and there's a lovely little terrace for breakfast (which I think is extra). Doubles are well under €100. It's nothing fancy but very nice basic hotel in a good location.

The center of town and the local train station are pretty much in opposite directions, though just a 10-15 minute walk away. We stayed in the southwest quadrant too, inside the wall, and found public parking lots, local train, and the center of town all easily reachable. We stayed in a great little B & B, if that's of interest let me know.

Don't miss a walk through Les Halles at lunch time, a fabulous selection there, and a great community feeling too.

I stayed at the Hotel Boquier several years ago. It was a perfect location, a couple blocks from the train station. The breakfast was good, and the owners very helpful and friendly.

We stayed at Le Colbert (recommended by Rick Steves). It's an easy walk, with luggage, from the local train station, and an easy walk to anything in the walled area of Avignon. It's colorful, comfortable (has air conditioning), and the staff were very nice. Check it out.

Thanks so much for your suggestions. This is just what I was looking for. Dave, I would be interested in the B & B you stayed in. I'll check all of the recommendations and see what I can find. Thanks to everyone for giving me a much better picture of what I want to consider.

Nancy, it's Maison Boussingault, we loved it.

http://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Review-g187212-d2290093-Reviews-Maison_Boussingault-Avignon_Vaucluse_Provence.html

Here's a great little restaurant two minutes away:

http://www.tripadvisor.com/Restaurant_Review-g187212-d2144309-Reviews-Le_Cochon_Bleu-Avignon_Vaucluse_Provence.html

Hi Nancy, we enjoyed staying at Hotel de L'Horloge which is on the center pedestrian square of the Old Town. It was a short walk from the train station and walking distance to everything we wanted to do in Avignon.

We also took a train over to Nimes one day, a bus over to Pont du Gard, and a mini-van tour of the Luberon villages & lavender fields.

At this point, I have requests in at Maison Boussingault (my first choice) and Hotel Central. I'm hoping to hear from them in the next few days. Jean, do you remember the company you used for the mini van tour? We do want to take some day trips and that sounds interesting. Thanks again for all of your suggestions.

Hi Nancy,

I keep all of our brochures, etc. from trips. We used "Provence Reservation", address is 33, rue de la balance, 84000, Avignon (brochures were in our hotel lobby or the TI shop). We took the half-day tour to Roussillon, Gordes, stopping near the Senanque Abbey and toured the Lavender Museum. In 2012, it was 55 E each.

Also, I have a couple of cards of restaurants we liked: D'Ici D'Ailleurs @ 4 rue Galante; Coin Cache Restaurant @ 5 Placed Des Chataignes.

Jean, thanks for the information. The tour sounds perfect for us and I'm delighted to have the restaurant recommendations.

Dave, we have confirmation of our reservation at Maison Boussingault. I'm really looking forward to our week there. Thanks so much for the recommendation,

Hey Nancy, that sounds great, I'm sure you'll enjoy your stay as Anne is a wonderful host. Enjoy those breakfasts on the terrace!

Dave