We are driving from Annecy down to Arles this summer where we will base out of to see Provence for a few days. We are planning to (mostly) take the highway, but was wondering if anyone had recommendations on a town/village to stop for lunch/coffee, etc. along the way. I wouldn't mind a less touristy place as we are hitting all the hot spots in Provence :)
Posted by
Paris
6916 posts
Hi,
Are you planning this drive on a Saturday in July or August? If so, add 2 hours of traffic jams on the way - this might preclude any side trips. Regardless, I can suggest a stop in Pont-en-Royans, about halfway between Annecy and Arles, which has a very interesting setting, perched above a river in the foothills of the Alps (Vercors Massif). It's not far from the highway (perhaps a 30 minute driving detour altogether - less than 10 miles from the highway).
Closer to Arles, la Garde-Adhémar is an interesting village, involving an even smaller detour, that can provide a first taste of Provençal villages. But I'd choose Pont-en-Royans above it.
Posted by
59 posts
We stayed in Sisteron Not exactly a village but a fort to visit. Beautiful setting and close to highway. But we took secondary roads to see more. Stayed at hotel citadel which was fine for our family of 5. Easy parking too. Mountain road south of Grenoble was spectacular.
Posted by
Paris
6916 posts
Sisteron is beautiful, however, going that way is not very convenient for the OP if the final Provence destination is Arles - it adds at least 90 minutes to the journey with 60-70 miles of 2-lane roads. And the D1075 (easier but less scenic) or N85 (steep gradients, tight curves, but beautiful) roads from Grenoble to Sisteron can be very busy in summer. It is, however, an interesting journey though the Alps.
Posted by
59 posts
Phrase in my suggestion We took secondary roads to see more. I wanted more time on the road for sightseeing. Like the farmers co-op up in the mountains that sold local cheeses. And other stuff too.
Posted by
613 posts
balso almost has it right-- don't do it in August.
Valence for a stop over. Excellent museum of Roman mosaics & other good stuff
Posted by
OP
13 posts
Thank you everyone. We are driving this during the week and on the last day of July. I appreciate all the good suggestions!
Posted by
Florida, USA
12172 posts
It's a little out of the way but I stayed near Balazuc in the Ardeche area between Chamonix and Arles. It's more than half way but not too far for one day.
Posted by
Portland, Maine
2916 posts
Some good suggestions here. If you want to stop in the Pont-en-Royans area, I'm attaching a link to my blog covering that village and some others near by. https://mainelywinenews.blogspot.com/2018/05/the-end-of-week-in-isere.html
Vaison-la-Romaine is a great town, but you're then almost at your destination. In any event, here's my blog post from our day trip there. https://mainelywinenews.blogspot.com/2017/05/thursday-market-in-nyons-and-visit-to.html