Provence Itinerary Help

Jennifer,

While everyone has there own way of traveling, I'm betting you'll find this itinerary too much during the heat of the summer in Provence and particularly with two young ones in tow. That's actually quite a bit of driving and you're based in a spot where you'll be fighting the crowds on the roads often enough (into Avignon or Nimes or in or through St. Remy).

Don't even think about adding Aix or Orange, IMO.

And strangely, you've left out Beaucaire and Tarascon. The "bird show" in the castle in Beaucaire will be a big hit for your 3 year old (and fun for you as well) and not visiting the castle in Tarascon (one of the best preserved medieval fortresses in Provence) when you are so close would be a crime. Once again, your 3 yr old will have a blast.

Bonnes vacances !

• Kevin

Thanks Kevin for the input! I'll try to re-prioritize the places we think we really want to visit so we can cut down on some driving time during our visit. Anything you would cut from our list?
We will definitely have to do the bird show since we are so close to Beaucaire and I hadn't read about the castle in Tarascon yet, but sounds like we should pay a visit! I love castles so they both sound like a must and I agree - our 3 year old will love them. Thanks again!!

As Kevin said, you might be looking at more than you can do, but as with any plan and children, you just need to remain flexible. All of Provence is wonderful but I think with kids the smaller villages, etc. are best. I would not add anything. As far as timing I would get the earliest start possible on market days. It is fun to be there when vendors are setting up, plus it is less crowded and cooler, and probably pre-nap time. You can buy great food at the market for your snacks/lunch and be out of there before the worst of the crowds. There are plenty of places you can just stop with the kids and let them run off some energy. Les Baux will be crowded, but I went once at the very end of the day and it was perfect. All the buses were gone and although there were only a few stores open (who needs more stuff anyway?) there was a restaurant or two still serving. Watched the sunset and it was a nice evening. Relaxing in your hotel in the heat of the day while the kids nap should work out fine!

St. Remy has a great market!

Thanks for the tips Terry kathryn! We will definitely plan for early arrivals to the towns on market days and sounds like the late in the day visit to Les Baux would be much more enjoyable. Looking forward to our visit, thanks again!!

Thanks for this info. My family and I are spending one week (perhaps the same week) in Tarascon and have very similar plans (pretty much the same except for we are not planning to visit Avignon - instead focusing that day on Trarascon and the surrounding area). Thanks for the info on the bird show - this was not on my radar.

I'm hoping that the handy location will allow for us to have more flexibility as Arles, St Remy, Les Baux, and Pont du Gard are all very close.

I will only add that late afternoon was a great time to be at the Pont du Gard, as well. Sunset is after 9 pm, and it could make sense at the end of your first day instead of combining with Nimes; pack a picnic and head there late afternoon?

We were in Provence in 2013 and loved everything. Our favorite experience was the Carrieres de Lumieres in Les Baux (http://www.carrieres-lumieres.com/en/home). It is hard to explain how magnificent it is to view incredible art work displayed on these huge walls in the stone quarries along with the music accompaniment. We arrived early (just after opening) and spent several hours there. Afterwards we visited the town of Les Baux and had a lovely lunch there at Au Port Mages. We felt both were worth the visit.