Good morning, we will be driving from Lyon to Nice at the beginning of June. Two part question:
What smaller, quaint cities she we stop in for scenery, charm and maybe lunch?
Any wineries you recommend enroute from Lyon to Nice (even if slightly out of the way) for tasting or a tour. We love smaller, family owned wineries as opposed to ones that giant tour buses pull up next to which seems to be more of an Italy thing anyway..
THX!!!
Paul
Orange, Avignon, and Aix-en-Provence are all on your most direct route, all smaller than Lyon or Nice. A detour a little east of Avignon could take you to some smaller towns -- L'Isle sur la Sorgue, Menerbes, Roussillon, Lourmarin, and others on a slower but very scenic route to Aix. A little southwest of Avignon is St-Remy, where you can see Roman ruins and the hospital where Van Gogh was treated.
There are many other possibilities. You'll be driving through a part of France where you could easily spend a week or two, so enjoy your lunch!
THANK YOU!
If you are looking for even smaller cities than Avignon and Aix-en-Provence, you could stop in places like Montelimar, Cavaillon and Isle sur La Sorgue. These are also along the main, quickest route between the cities. You can easily spend a lot of time either around Aix or Avignon. Orange is a smaller but does have a nice ancient Roman Theatre. An alternative stop along the way is Chateauneuf-du-Pape. There you can have lunch and visit some domaines or their tasting rooms in the village (I recommend Domaine Olivier Hillaire)
THANK YOU!
paul,
Please be aware that the French are very strict about driving after imbibing. Their limits are below those in many US communities and states. If you have time, stop overnight in one of the charming towns/villages in Provence or the Luberon. You have a bounty of places to enjoy!
THX!!! I am the designated driver. No alcohol for me, but the other 4 in my party would love to do a wine tasting.
