When we are able to travel back to France my wife and I are working on our itinerary.
We are both in our 70's and have made numerous trips to France in past years(selecting different regions each time).
After spending several days in Annecy and Chamonix (with car), we want to head down to
Provence. In past years we've already stayed in Avignon and Aix-en-provence.
This time we'd like to stay in a small town before heading off to Toulouse.
Which Provence town do you suggest we stay in for serveral days(basically to stay in 1 town and relax).
I know that Rick Steves' book has small sections on:
St. Remy de Provence
Isle-sur-la sorgue
Vaison-la-Romaine
Orange
etc.
We would appreciate your thoughts on which town(s) you enjoyed staying in tremendously.
Thank you!
Posted by
11570 posts
We enjoyed staying in Gordes and love bed Les Baux. Next time I would like to stay in Bonnieux, Menerbes, or Loumarin.
Posted by
San Francisco/Marin County
9436 posts
Our favorite of all is St Rémy de Provence. Charming, relaxing, quiet, easily walkable, fun shops, good cafés and restaurants, easy to drive into/out of.
Posted by
Sacramento, California U.S.A.
10603 posts
I agree with Susan. We enjoyed basing there to explore Provence and it was nice just wander the streets. There were plenty of restaurants to walk to from where we stayed. They have really good markets on Wednesdays and Saturdays.
I have also stayed in Arles. It was fine, but I preferred St. Remy.
Posted by
Lancaster PA
265 posts
I will add my voice to the chorus of praise for St Remy. We split our time between St Remy and Vaison-la-Romaine in Sept 2019. Old Town Vaison has its charm, but the streets are insanely narrow and to park outside the medieval city means hiking in with your luggage. The New Town was not as charming as St Remy. The same goes for Orange where we stopped for the Roman Theater. Isle-sur-la-Sorgue is a fun market experience, but accessible from St Remy if you desire. Les Baux is nearby, the market is great, there are plenty of restaurants (at least there were pre-Covid). Choose your accommodations so you have parking access, preferably within walking distance to the city core.
Posted by
Folsom, California
542 posts
I will put in a vote for Arles. It depends on what you like.
St Remy is upscale, Arles is more down to earth. Arles has proximity to lots of things, great restaurants, and lots to see. I have fond memories of a great cheese shop there with some outdoor tables. Had a great meal and all the locals hung out there. I would go back in an instant.
Posted by
Los Angeles
972 posts
Yes, I was going to ask if you would have a car. You wouldn’t need one for Isle-Sur-la Sorgue.
Posted by
680 posts
Uzes or perhaps Lourmarin? Two utterly fantastic markets, anyway. Happy to suggest special rentals in either.
Hope it works out DLK.
I am done. The end.