We will be visiting Provence this fall, driving, and would appreciate feedback on using Orange as a base for several days.
It appears Orange is big enough to offer a good choice of places to eat and other travel essentials, while being small enough that I can find hotels with parking that are close enough to the town center to conveniently walk (for dinner in the evening, etc.). By comparison, from a search in Avignon it appears that hotels with parking are not close enough to the city center to easily walk to.
Also thought of Vaison-la-Romaine. Would appear to have fewer choices for dining, etc., but mostly it appears that Orange is considerably more convenient for driving to many places within Provence.
Again, feedback, especially from those who might have stayed in Orange, will be greatly appreciated.
Posted by
Ontario, Canada
4907 posts
Both of those are considerably further north than we have stayed before. The Cotes du Rhone villages just didnt hold that much interest for us. But if you're into wines then Vaison la Romaine might be a good choice.
We prefer staying further south either in small towns or country gites when in Provence, and day tripping to Avignon, Arles and Aix. We really like L'Isle Sur La Sorgue. None of the larger cities are more than an hour away by car, and it's easy for drives into the Luberon to visit Rousillon or Gordes, or over to the beautiful Les Baux. Finding a restaurant has never been a problem for us. Lunch, and often dinner, was in whatever town we were in that day, or back at our gite. This is one part of France where we really appreciated having a car.
Posted by
Somerville, MA
607 posts
You should search the forum for past comments on this. I remember folks noting that Orange was fairly grim to stay in.
Posted by
Florida, USA
12172 posts
I wanted to be somewhat central so it would be easier to venture out. I ended up choosing Arles. I heard too many horror stories about getting in and around Avignon by car. I also looked at St. Remy but found better lodging options in Arles.
Posted by
Boston
4132 posts
I remember Orange as being gritty and depressed. But that was 20 years ago! If you go, let us know.
Posted by
shingle springs, CA, USA
782 posts
I stayed in Arles in late April and it gave us easy access to all of the towns in Provence via freeway or secondary roads for scenic beauty.Arles has many good restaurants.
Mike
Posted by
895 posts
I didn't stay in Orange, but it seemed fairly ho-hum. However, I stayed in Vaison la Romaine and absolutely loved it there. If you can wake up there on a market day (Tuesday?) then you must! It certainly puts you on the northern end of Provençal sightseeing, but there's plenty up that way. If you're more interested in the Luberon then I would base closer that way. Don't stay in Avignon. In fact, if there's a town to breeze past it's this one.
Posted by
OP
2 posts
Thanks for the advice everyone. Took it and decided instead on l'Isle sur la Sorgue, small town, central to the sights we want to see in Provence.