Hello Everyone!
We are going to be flying into Barcelona and stay 3 days and then rent a car and drive up into Alet Les Bains for 3 days and then to Cassis followed by St. Remy. My questions is should we do 3 nights in Cassis and 4 in St Remy or visa versa? We like to hiking, photography, exploring small towns (making exception for Barcelona) and enjoying cafés.
Thanks for you help!
My favorite town in Provence is St. Remy... so that would get my vote for the most nites. I have stayed there many times and never tire of it. Be sure to spend some time on an early morning walk going to the hospital where VanGogh was. Also, there is the Chateau de Estouban (sp?) which is near there... great for photography in the early morning or late afternoon. There is a place near St. Remy where they show an audio visual film inside a limestone quarry... spectacular. Ask at your hotel about it. It has changed names recently and I can't remember it now. Be sure to be there for the big market which is Wed. I think. Wander around the town in the early evening and there are tons of things to photograph.
(I am a photographer)
We spent half a year in Cassis. You don't say what month you'll be in Provence, but Cassis, like St. Remy, can be full of visitors, particularly on the weekend from April through October. I can't speak for St. Remy but Cassis had hiking trails not only along the coast in both directions but back into the hills also. For hiking, I recommend ankle protection and a walking pole. It's very rocky. Three nights gives you two active days.
Thank you for your input. We will be going the end of June 2016. I am really torn about which place to spend the most nights because they both look lovely. Originally I was thinking St. Remy but then I started seeing all of the hiking near Cassis. Phew! What to do!!