Hi everyone, My wife and I will be traveling to France in late April/early May with our 1 year old child. We typically stay at Rick's recommended b&b types, but with the new addition to our family we are considering staying in a apartment with small kitchen, etc. we will be renting a car and want to visit Arles, Avignon, pont du gard and Aix. This is our first time in Provence and want to stay somewhere with easy parking, but it sounds like both Arles and Avignon are not the place for that. Anyone have any recommendations for apartments or homes in a more rural location with easy accessibility to the places we want to visit? We want to capture the essence of Provence. I have been on vrbo and home away and can't find anything that meets our requirements. Appreciate the help!
Posted by
Pensacola
9110 posts
Try this: http://www.gites-de-france.com/
Posted by
OP
Santa Clarita, CA, USA
5 posts
Thanks. Any recommendations on the towns in the area? Looks like Fontvielle and St Remy are popular.
Posted by
Costa Mesa, CA, USA
503 posts
Hello Russell! We were in Provence in May and we stayed at the Les Sources in St. Remy - there are 7 or 8 units each with a bedroom, bathroom and small kitchen and sitting area - the unit we had was immaculate and very well equipped and maintained. There is a small gated parking lot on the property as well as a nice sized swimming pool (which is completely gated). There is a very well stocked grocery store just around the corner and of course there are the wonderful provencal markets. The units all face onto a nice sized green belt so plenty of space for a little one to play! Day trips from here were quite easy and the the couple who manage the residences are delightful. Hope this helps!!!
Posted by
OP
Santa Clarita, CA, USA
5 posts
Thank you I will look into that one!
Posted by
Portland, Maine
2916 posts
As Ed said, check out Gites de France. We've used them for 25 years and never been disappointed. There's also Clevacance, which we used once or twice. At least then, the payment system wasn't as convenient as GDF. But maybe that's changed. I'd recommend an apartment in Nimes, but that might be too far to the west for you. But if you're interested, send me a PM.
Posted by
Columbia, MO, USA
249 posts
Le Petit Reve, in Lourmarin, is a wonderful apartment we found through VRBO owned by a couple from New York. We stayed there for 5 days in Jun/Jul this year. We had a great time with plentiful restaurants in town, and many villages nearby that we loved. We roamed as far as Pont du Gard on day trips. If you'd like more info, send p.m.
Posted by
OP
Santa Clarita, CA, USA
5 posts
Robert - I think Nimes might be a little too far west, but thanks for the thought. Mike- Their website says le petit isn't kid friendly, but looks nice. Keep the suggestions coming! Thanks
Posted by
Portland, Maine
2916 posts
Russell, I agree that Nimes is a little far to the west for the places you mentioned in your original post. I just took a look at a map of the area to see relative locations of places I've stayed besides Nimes, and if you don't want a city (that is, Aix, Avignon or Arles), I'd recommend St. Remy, Fontvielle, or L'Isle-sur-la-Sorgue.
Posted by
San Francisco
124 posts
http://www.bristol-avignon.com/mobile/index.php?pointvente=CHAMBRES&nomfichier=chambres.php&lang=uk We stayed at hotel Bristol in Avignon, easy walk to the train station, where you can also rent a car. Average hotel, but they did offer parking for a price, which we used. You need to reserve the parking also.
Posted by
San Francisco
124 posts
Also I emailed them and asked them for specials. They were able to give me a deal a lot less than what is posted on their website. There is also a bakery across the street to get breakfast.