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Itineray help: A relaxed 5 days in Provence including Chauvet Caves and markets

I am flying into Marseilles arriving Friday at noon and where I will rent a car. I wish I could travel leaving luggage in my car while visiting places but, the impression I have gained, is that thieves might be tempted and it is not worth the gamble. So that leaves me with the choice of staying in one or two bases where I can leave me luggage along the way or staying in one base (ugh!) and driving around every day. Another consideration is that sleeping in a place has a different feeling than making a day trip.

Plan A: Start in Aix-en-Provence. Visit its Saturday Market and maybe taking a guided tour or drive to the Luberon towns on Saturday.
Plan B: Drive to St. Remy as a base from Friday to Wednesday perhaps staying and eating breakfast and dinner at des Mas de Carrassins. Drive to the hill towns and markets (e.g., Arles or Uzes on Saturday and Vaison la Romaine on Tuesday, I could then go to the St. Remy Market on the Wednesday before heading on to Nice.
Plan C Start in Uzes or St. Remy Friday to Monday morning. Drive to either Vaison le Romains staying overnight Monday to visit their market and move onto the other hill towns in the Luberon or driving to another hill town (e.g., Rousillon) as a base from Monday to Wednesday.

Either way, I thought Sunday would be a good day to see the Chauvet Caves - something I have always wanted to do + Ardeches Gorge, especially as I understand many shops are closed on Sundays and Monday mornings.

I would appreciate any help your might offer.

Posted by
135 posts

david, while in st. remy, please visit carriere des lumieres, a great music/slide show inside a marble quarry. gordes is my favorite hill town in the luberon. you can rent a bike in cousellet, and take a pleasant ride on a dedicated bike trail. on the way up to the center of menerbes, there's a wonderful outdoor restaurant that looks out over the luberon, and it's about 100 meters before you arrive au centre ville. enjoy, nicolas