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Provence, France - 3 days - Active Family

We are a family of 4 with 2 teenagers (boy-16, girl-18). Will be arriving to Provence on a Wednesday after a week in Paris, and have 2 full days before departing on Saturday for Annecy. We are an active family that enjoys hiking and biking, and looking for a few days for low-key outdoor activity to unwind after the week of sightseeing in Paris. Taking TGV from Paris, and renting a car in Avignon.

Originally considered a 3.5 day biking trip, but decided we wanted a little more flexibility and will base ourselves in one location and take day trips from there. Logistically, it looks like St Remy would make the most sense, as it is only 30 min drive from Avignon.

Thinking of doing a little sightseeing in Avignon before heading to St. Remy for 3 nights. Day 2 and Day 3 we'd like to do a 30 mile or so bike ride each day, or do one ride and one day of hiking. Looking for suggestions that would be interesting for the teens (exploring shops/markets, photo/film ops, etc.), and give us adults an opportunity to visit a vinyard or two.

Also open to basing ourselves someplace else if anyone has a good suggestion. The only requirements are that we limit travel time to Provence destination to about 3 hours (i.e.: TGV 2:40 + car ride 0:30) and the drive up to Annecy to about 3:30.

Last, any suggestions for an interesting stop along the route to Annecy to break up the trip (without adding too much more travel time?

Posted by
4132 posts

St Remy should meet your needs admirably. There are Roman ruins at the south end of town, on the way to Les Baux. With limited time, I should prefer to sightsee in Arles (also nearby) versus Avignon.

Posted by
336 posts

The middle point of your drive is around Valence, but aside from a roman temple, not much interest for me there.
You could always stop in Grenoble for a few hours, the city is in between mountains, it is a spectacular site. You can take a cable car to go just above the city for even more spectacular views.
One of our best hiking memories is in la grave east of grenoble where we took the cable car to go on top, 10000 feet, and came back to stop at 2/3 and walk for a few hours to a mountain lake and back. Sceneries were simply breathtaking. But this is 1 hour 30 from Grenoble.
Agree that st-Rémy is perfect for you

Posted by
125 posts

We just spent 5 nights in St. Remy and loved it. Close to many great attractions. We stayed at Hotel Soleil. We could park our car there when we returned from day trips and walk easily to the center of town for dinner. Many good restaurants and lots of shops. Comfortable hotel in center of town.