St Remy de provence or l'isle-sur-la-sorgue

How many nights? Do you plan to use your selected town as a base to see other places by car? If so, what day-trips do you plan to take?

L'Isle-sur-la-Sorgue is about twice the size of St.-Remy-de-Provence. L'Isle is particularly known for its large Sunday market that takes over much of the town center (to the point that it's a bit hard to appreciate the beauty). St-Remy has nearby Roman ruins at Glanum, a small cultural museum, and a site where Van Gogh spent some time.

We absolutely loved St Rémy-de-Provence and did not like L’Isle-sur-la-Sorgue at all. St Rémy is very easy to drive into, around, and out of. It is easily walkable (and basically flat) charming, beautiful, quiet, relaxing, with lots of fun shops, cafés restaurants, and a great outdoor market. For us, L’Isle-sur-la-Sorgue was a bit dirty, had weeds, graffiti, no good shops that we saw (not interested in antiques which they’re known for), just a bit depressing.

I'd pick St Remy. I've been there twice. The first trip to the area I visited both I'lsle sur la sorge and St Remy as day trips. The next trip I based in St Remy for about 5 days. It's well situated for day trips and is an enjoyable town in itself. And the hospital Van Gogh stayed at on the outskirts of town (next to the Roman ruins) is wonderful. Beautiful building, lots of interesting van Gogh information, gardens.

Here's the trip report I wrote. Scroll down to post #31 to get to the St Remy part.
Photos are now here: https://andiamo.zenfolio.com/p233500526

I would chose St. Remy over I’isle -sur-la-sorgue, no contest!

Isabel,
I didn't make the initial post, but I clicked on the link you provided. You've got a great eye for photography

For us, St Remy was worth a visit, but we stayed in ISLS and didn't regret it. The main difference is water. ISLS is called the Venice of Provence, as the river Sorgue breaks into several rivulets that flow through the town and run water wheels (or used to). You can tube the river from its source at Fontaine la Vaucluse down to the town. The water is a cooling break from the very hot and dry Provence. St Remy on the other hand is dry as dust and hot.

Realllly disagree with darren. St Rémy is definitely not “dry as dust and hot.” And the water in L’Isle is nothing to write home about.

More to offer is a very vague qualifier. I have visited l´Ile sur la Sorgue maybe a dozen times, St Rémy far less often because there is far less there. St. Rémy is a very pleasant town and certainly worthy of a visit by anyone vacationing in Provence. I primarily go to l´Ile sur la Sorgue for the markets which are some of the best in France outside of Paris. It also has a better selection of restaurants and cafés.

When in western Provence, I typically stay in Gordes but if you are only going for a couple of days, I really don´t think it will make a great deal of difference which location you chose. Hotel availability might be the ultimate factor.

I have only stayed in ISLS, as I traveled the area with my sister who loves antiques and markets. We loved our stay in a RS’s recommended gite just outside of town, with just a few rooms, lovely garden on the river, and fabulous breakfasts — Pont des Aubes. Being in the countryside was delightful, yet walking distance to town and an easy drive through the region. We enjoyed our visit in St Remy as well.