I am considering driving from Nice to Avignon via the mountains & hills that include Moustiers-Sainte-Marie, Apt, Roussillon and Gordes.
Has anyone done this? Are the roads very winding and slow? Is it worth the trip re: scenery and picturesque towns?
Thanks
It's a lovely drive. The roads are two-lane, twist in places and it does border the canyon part of the way, but it is a very nice way to go. Slow is relative. It's not as fast as the freeway, but it's not as slow as being stuck behind a tractor. Yes, the scenery is beautiful and the towns are picturesque.
Thank you, Bets!
We will actually be driving from Nice, where we will be staying for a week, to L'Isle-sur-la-Sorgue, where will be staying for 2 nights. I want to get to L'Isle-sur-la-Sorgue by mid-afternoon so that we can enjoy it before Easter Sunday (the next day) and not everything is open.
As such, while I am interested in this "mountainous" and scenic route, I do not want us to get to L'Isle-sur-la-Sorgue too late, and have been weighing that vs. the Autoroute...
It's been a long time since I drove this area, but I'd happily do it again or recommend it to you.
This past spring, my wife and I drove from Nice to Lacoste for three nights. Along the way, we enjoyed great modern art at Fondation Maeght in St-Paul-de-Vence, had lunch across from the bassin in Cucuron, and explored Lourmarin. The geology and scenery were great the entire day, particularly once we got into Provence. The following day, we caught the market in Gordes before looking at waterwheels in L'Isle and strolling through the St. Paul de Mausolee in St. Remy. IMHO the market was wonderful (we bought salami, cheese, bread, etc. for dinner on our patio that night), L'Isle was a bit underwhelming, but the views driving through Provence were marvelous.
Thank you, Laura! If the weather is good, we're going to take this drive...
