Sat June 25th- What would you do, drive or train to St Remy from Nice? And what would you stop and see? Merci
Posted by
Ottawa
1446 posts
If you drive, there are three routes to choose from: coastal, canyon (Verdon), or the highway. It depends on your inclination and time. If you're doing this drive in July or August, I would avoid the coastal route. Otherwise, you can make it a leisurely day with plenty of stops in between, like in Bormes-les-Mimosas or Saint-Tropez (as examples). The TGV can take you quickly to the Avignon TGV station, where you can pick-up a rental car for your time in Provence.
Posted by
OP
Hawaii, US
119 posts
Oh, should have mentioned it would be on Sat June 25th-which is one of my concerns in going the coast route.
Is the summer traffic going to St Tropez already in full swing?
Posted by
Portlandia
3313 posts
There is no train to St. Remy. With a car I would be sure to stop in Les Baux just south of St. Remy. And then the surrounding area has unlimited day trips - the Carmague, Fontaines des Vaucluse, Pont du Gard, Uzes...
Posted by
Bay Area
3551 posts
June will be heavy traffic but it is worse in July and Aug. Given achoice I would train it & pic up a car in Provence.
Posted by
Ottawa
1446 posts
Dianna, I'm afraid that traffic will already be heavy for the coastal route. My suggestion would be to train it to the TGV station in Avignon and pick-up the car right there. Be careful though of the opening hours on a Saturday for the car pick-up - it should be all day at the TGV station, but double-check anyways. For a nice day trip from St Remy, plan on going to Cassis. The boat trips to the calanques will be in full swing or you can hike to one of the small beaches. I hope this helps.
Posted by
Andover, MN, USA
222 posts
St Remy is a great little town and has a great market day on Wednesday - one of the best. I always stay there the night before to be sure to hav a parking spot.
The small hotel I have stayed at is Hostelliere Fleuri and has its own parking area. It is right in town and you can walk to anything. If you pick up your car at the Avignon TGV it is a short drive to St. Remy. I'll be going there again myself in July. The lavender should be in full bloom by then. St Remy is a great home base to see Provence.
Posted by
Ann Arbor, Mi
3696 posts
The coast drive will definitely be busy...but, it you get your car in Avignon don't forget to take a trip to the coast if only for a few miles...it's so a part of summer on the Riviera. You can be in the traffice for a few miles, turn around and head back to the peace of St. Remy (which I love and have used as a base many times)