Feedback re 4- 5 days itinerary in Provence ?

I have been to all the locations and my favorites are St.Remy, Les Baux, and definitely Gordes and the Abbaye. Although I like Aix it was bigger and more congested than I usually care for. Just driving around the countryside is amazing and be sure to take a walk from St. Remy to the hospital where Van Gogh was.
Also loved Arles. Have a wonderful time...

Vaison La Romine has some excellent roman ruins and a museum there as well. If you go there, I would suggest staying in the Citie Medieval on the top of the mountain. The ruins are in the lower city, with the city being built around them.

In terms of process, I would sit everybody down with their priorities and a map. Group things together logically. Combine proximity and complementarity. I do not think you can see everything--there is too much! The Roman theater in Orange rates a visit for lovers of antiquities. A little research will unearth some walks or short hikes in the region--consider one of these. (Fodors for instance has a book of walks in France.)

Amy Have you checked out the RS Provence Guide? That will give you lots of ideas. As PP mentioned, may be too much. Although there are "highways" it is much more scenic and fun if you take the back roads which will slow you down. Check to see when the markets are in the villages. So fun. I think St. Remy is on Wednesday. Don't miss the pedestrian area in St. Remy whose entrances are somewhat hidden. Les Baux is small and great to see but it is a very very crowded with tour busses. See if you can go early or late in the day. Near Les Baux within 5 minutes is another wonderful attraction. Of course, I can't think of its name. Iit looks like a quarry excavated from the inside so it still has its roof. Every year they choose a theme and do a sound, light, and projection of fantastic images on the stone walls. Really really wonderful. One year it was religion, another it was Picasso, I think. You will love it and so will your teens. Bobbie

You're going to have to cut - - here's a couple of thoughts: Aix I really like, but it's too hard for a first-timer to figure out unless you just want to hike up the Cours Mirabeau and think you've seen it. It does have one of the best markets in Provence, however. Les Baux is a recently rebuilt tourist trap. Nobody lives there, they just show up and open the 'town' before the buses arrive. The place has some history, but there's not much left of it to see. It has as much authenticity as a Florida rattlesnake and alligator show. Senague is okay and it's close to Godes, so it's not a time-killer, but if lavender is in season there, you're going to see it all over the place. I'd scoot over to Rouissillion instead - - especially real late in the day. Avignon is okay. The bridge takes twenty minutes, but you can spend a lot of time in the palace - - watch out that you don't burn the whole day. Rickites won't agree, but Arles could hit the bucket as well - - Nimes and Orange are equally good for the Roman stuff. St Remy, Nimes, Orange, and the aquaduct have to stay on the list.

Thank all of you so much for the suggestions - I have been reading a lot & it gets a bit overwhelming. It is very helpful!

You can definitely see everything in 4-5 days, 5 would be preferable. I would second Vaison la Romaine. I would add Isle-sur-la-Sorgue. You can easily group into Nimes/Avignon, cotes du rhone, hill country, and Arles/Les Baux/St. Remy. Of all of these, the only one we missed was Orange, and we had only 3 days. Oh, we had seen Avignon and Nimes on previous trip. Drove through Aix and were not impressed. I would recommend 5 days . The area is small enough that you could choose most anyplace to use as a base. Avignon is probably the most convenient. The Holiday Inn at the TGV station is quite new, inexpensive, and has a great breakfast (at least it did in 2006). Isle-sur-la-Sorgue was our favorite town. We stayed in Castillon du Gard which is near Uzes.

@Bobbie... I can't remember the name of the place either, but I was there when they had a display of Venice...spectacular, however, someone else posted that it had been shut down by some zoning ordinance. I looked it up and as far as I could tell that was true that it no longer exists. Very sad!

The Abbey is a spectacular display of lavender..the stone abbey sits in a valley surrounded by lavender with hills all around, so you sort of burst into view as you drive in. But as worthwhile as it is, I would say that the view from Sault, near Mt. Ventoux, is even better, as you are up high and have a stunning view across miles of lavender. My wife and I loved Arles...some people hate it. Even if you just hit the Ancient History Museum on the outskirts and have a drink in the Place du Forum it is worthwhile. Ed is right that Les Baux is a tourist trap, though it is hardly unique in that way. For me, its appeal is not so much the ruined town at the top of the hill, but the view of the somewhat eerie landscape below standing amidst the ruins feeling the wind blasting in your face. I enjoying eating in Avignon, but the sights of the town left me bored. Nimes is underappreciated. The Pont du Gard is an absolute must, worthy of at least 1/2 day. It is great fun to drive, not so much in particular to Gordes as wandering through the Luberon's little towns in the general direction of Roussilon and then back west toward Avignon. I envy you, you can't go wrong with any of your choices.

Ed nailed it! I agree that with 4-5 days, Nimes (Pont du Gard), St. Remy, and Orange are your best bets for Roman ruins. It takes longer to drive to various points in Provence than you expect. A GPS will be a huge help!!

Again, I agree with Ed. Roussillon is a must see. Some of the other stuff is tourist oriented. The part of Aix that is impressive is not the part that can be driven through. You have to go into the windy, backstreets. Your teens may like Aix, as it is a college town.