My husband and I are trying to go to France for two weeks next summer. I am starting now to try to plan the trip, book hotels, etc. We are going from Paris to the French Riveria through Beaune and Provence. I have found out there is a big dance festival during the whole month of July in Avignon. I am having a VERY hard time booking a hotel there because they do not book rooms due to the festival. Has anyone else had this problem? My husband and I were wanting to go in July since it is the best time to go to the French Riveria, and this seems to be our only problem we have encountered. Does anyone have any suggestions about where to book a hotel in Avignon during this time?
Posted by
Redmond, WA
295 posts
I encountered this problem way back in March, when I booked rooms in Arles. There is an annual photography convention there in early July each year. I checked every hotel on Rick's list in Avignon and Arles, and was lucky to get a triple at the Calendal (only wanted a double) as the only room available at all. I suspect you've started too late. I made an entry back then for Rick to add some more festivals to his book's calendars.
Posted by
Boston
4132 posts
Consider Arles or another town in Provence.
Sounds as though Avignon is going to be crowded by an event you do not especially care about anyway. You can visit it as a day trip if you like.
Posted by
Seattle, WA, USA ☔️
6790 posts
I agree with Kent - IMHO July & August are the worst time to go to the south of France (I've done it, won't do it again).
Also, you say you're planning a trip for NEXT summer....do you really mean July 2009? If you are attempting to book rooms now for July 2009, I suspect many (most?) places won't book out that far in advance.
Posted by
Davidson, NC, USA
82 posts
Hannah,
My family is going to the Avignon area in July of this year (son goes to McCallie!!) and we are renting a "gite". Have you thought about that? We are staying at the Mas Saint Antoine just 7km outside of Avignon and they have several units that look lovely for 2 people. I don't know availability, but it's worth a try! www.massaintantoine.com
Good luck! Lisa
Posted by
Reseda, CA, USA
196 posts
You might consider Nimes. It is a good size town and about 1/2 an hour from Avignon by train. It has a daily bus to the Pont du Gard (see ricks book). The town of Nimes also has some Roman structures to look at. Including a minature Collesium.... just like Arles.
Posted by
Ann Arbor
15 posts
Yes, there is a theatre fest in Avignon all through July. My friend and I were there last July for 3 nights. We didn't have a difficult time booking a hotel but we booked it in probably March.
We didn't have any interest in the shows but it created a fun atmosphere all around town that we enjoyed in the evenings after we returned from exploring Provence during the day. Good people watching.
We stayed at Hotel de l’Horloge
1 Rue Felicien David Place De I Horloge and it was nice. Awesome location!