My teenage daughters and I are going to spend about 2.5 weeks in France this June. We've got some friends to visit in SE France, but we'd like to rent a modest flat somewhere for a week -- the only question is where? We'd like a big town/small city that meets the following criteria:
- It is in southern France (so we don't have to travel far)
- Good public transportation and pedestrian friendly (we won't have a car for that week)
- Safe, so the girls can go out on their own on occasion
- accommodation available in the centre of town
The girls are studying French in school, so more than visiting a bunch of museums and landmarks, I want the girls to experience living in France - shopping at markets, talking to people, finding their way around, eating local foods, etc. We have been to Paris together, and that was fantastic; now we'd like to try something a little less cosmopolitan.
At this point I'm thinking Avignon because of its proximity to our other required stops (Vesseaux near Aubenas, Annecy, and Charmonix), but who knows. I am hoping for suggestions from those with more experience. Thanks!
P.S. We are flying into France from Rome, if that makes any difference.