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Help with provence travel itinerary - June

Posted by on

Hello everybody.

Please, we have 7 days to explore the Provence region, arrival on June 20th and departure on June 26th. And we would like to explore:

Day 01 (20/06 Friday) - Go to Nimes from Barcelona Train, arrival 11:50am. (day to stay and explore Nimes)

Day 02 (21/06 Saturday) - Rent the Car in Nimes. Go to Pont Du Gard, Orange, sleep in the Luberon region (Gordes?)

Day 03 (22/06 Sunday) - Gordes/Roussillon/L'Isle-sur-la-Sorgue

Day 04 (23/06 Monday) - Manosque/Lavender Fields of Valensole/Gorges du Verdun/ Moustiers-Ste-Marie.
I thought about staying in the village of Moustiers-Ste-Marie, but I saw some reports on Google of broken car windows due to theft in the parking lot. But due to logistics, it would be ideal to stay that night in the region, because I don't think it would be possible to do all of this and still return to the Luberon region on the same day.

Day 05 (24/06 Tuesday) - Aix-Provence/LeBaux/Carriere de Lumieres/ Accommodation in St. Remy.
I'm worried this day because of the Aix-Provence parking lot, because our luggage would be inside the car and I've also seen reports of theft and broken car windows in the Aix-Provence parking lots, including in the covered paid parking lot.

Day 06 (25/06 Wednesday ) - St. Remy Market. Free Afternoon.

Day 07 (26/06 Thursday) - Go to Arles in the morning, leave the car in Nimes and take the train to Barcelona at 03:59pm.

I also wanted to fit the Arles or Apt. markets on Saturday, but the logistics would be bad and we preferred to go to the St. Remy market on Wednesday.
What do you think of the script? any suggestions?

Thank You
Lincoln

Posted by
1402 posts

lincoln_mm
Lincoln, have you gone to Viamichelin.com or Google maps to see how long your drive times are? Just so you don't underestimate the travel times between locations. The times mentioned on various sites usually do not account for gas/food/comfort stops. You don't want to spend the whole day in the car and only have 30-60 minutes to see a place. I recommend getting a Micheliun paper map of the area and finding your routes, then adjusting, if need be, your expectations of what you will see. And you want to allow time to pull over for the sights, or stop and buy olives, etc. at farm stands.
We have made stops and had luggage in our car and not been robbed, but I understand your concerns. Many rental cars have covers that pull over the back to hide your luggage. Just don't leave anything iof value (cameras, laptops) in the car. And don't leave things on the seats, visible from the window, that indicate you are a tourist (e.g. maps, guidebooks).
Have a wonderful time!

Posted by
22 posts

So much to see, so little time :)

I'd suggest:
Sleep in Nimes 2 nights...doing day trips/explore city (cool Roman stuff)
Travel day
Sleep in l'isle sur la sorgue 2 nights...doing day trips/amazing market
Travel day
Sleep in Aix 2-3 nights....amazing markets/day trips

Posted by
28290 posts

When traveling with luggage/valuables in the car, stop somewhere before your final parking space to put things in the trunk you won't carry with you while walking around. It is reported that thieves sometimes keep watch on parking lots to see who places worthwhile articles in the trunk after parking. I'd take a tote bag with me for easy carrying of valuable items I didn't want to leave in the car.

Posted by
325 posts

Fodorite had Provence books as a give-away. No one grabbed them so I did. From that spent March 2024 in Aix, Arles and Avignon. Have quite a few books to offer you as well as a Michelein map. Are you interested? If so please PM me and I will send them on graciously and complimentary as they were to me.

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