We're a family of four that will be in Provence for the first ten days of August. I'm psyched, but also concerned that the rest of my family won't enjoy the heat as much as me. We'll rent a car at the Avignon TGV, so do you have suggestions for towns we might use as a base to explore the area while staying as cool as possible?
Someone mention Remuzat, which looks wonderful. Any other places you might recommend? Thanks!
Les Baux, Gordes, Menerbes, St-Remy, Arles
When we were in Provence, we also picked up our car in Avignon and rented a small "apartment" in St. Remy - Les Sources de St. Remy http://www.les-sources-saint-remy.com/ukresidence
We really enjoyed our stay there. Each of the units faces a central greenbelt with a petanque court and a swimming pool. and each unit had heat as well as air conditioning - something to definitely consider in Provence in August! The "supermarche" was around the corner and the unit was very well equipped and very, very clean and the managers were wonderful!!!
St. Remy was a good base for us to explore the area!!
Les Sources does look great, but unfortunately no vacancies when we're there July 30 to August 10.
Thank you for the other recommendations. Arles, Les Beaux and the others are fantastic, but, I believe, still hot in August (around 29-30 degrees). Maybe that's the temp for all of Provence, but I'm hoping to find someplace higher up that might be a little cooler on average. (I know, we could have gone to the Alps if we really wanted cooler, but here we are, trying to see Provence again before it's too late.)
One more question: with ten days in Provence, would you try to stay in one place or split the time between perhaps two rental homes?
I was the person who mentioned Rémuzat for August, but mainly for bird-watching - I don't know much else about it. But consider the eastern side of the Cévennes, maybe with a stop in Uzès on the way, and St. Jean-de-Gard as a base.
We have stayed in Roussillon and Joucas. Roussillon was interesting because of the ocher cliffs. However, there are so many people who visit there. Joucas truly is a small town, across the valley from Roussillon.
We used Joucas from which to take many day trips. We stayed at Le Jas de Joucas which is just outside the town (it was not walkable for me). Nathalie is a fantastic owner/hostess! We have rented the apartment which may or may not be available for your dates. There is a lovely pool for cooling off in the summer. There is no dinner service but the breakfasts are fantastic! There are one or two small restaurants in the town. We also ate dinner in Gordes. The hotel on the square in Gordes makes great pizza.
Enjoy!
