We are planning a trip to France, French Rivera and Provence, then on to Paris. Need help in day to day planning starting from Nice driving to Avignon. Hope to give the trip justice in 7-10 days, is this possible, recommendations on where to stay and how to spend time?
Posted by
Fort Dodge, United States
54 posts
For Provence I definitely recommend staying in the Luberon Area. We spent 3 weeks last summer in Provence. My very favortie area was the Luberon. The small towns are great places to stay. We stayed the entire 3 weeks in L'isle sur la sorgue--but if you are going to only be there for a few days I would not stay there. Although it is a great town for a home base? My favorite recommendation is the town of Bonnieux. Very small but it has GREAT restaurants and it is a very cute town. We also stayed at a place called Domaine de Cabasse right outside of Seguret. Their food was amazing as well. Les Baux is a great place to visit while there. I believe there are some great hotels in the Rick Steves book. Enjoy your time in France! I love it there:)
Posted by
Milwaukee
3 posts
I agree with the poster above. The Luberon is a great place to stay. The town of Lourmarin has many nice places to stay (like Les Olivettes). You may also want to supplement Rick's book with Open Road's Best of Provence and the French Riviera. That guide has great tips for a week in the Luberon area.
Posted by
Columbia, MO, USA
249 posts
Third vote for the Luberon. Earlier this month, we stayed in an apartment found on VRBO, owned by an American, in Lourmarin. We took day trips to Gordes, Roussillon, Isle sur la Sorgue, and Pont du Gard. Also found the softcover "Provence Byways-Guidebook to the Luberon Region of Provence" very helpful". Wine-tasting and food captured much of our time not spent at the markets. Send p.m. if you want more info. Happy travels. Mike
Posted by
washington
837 posts
Sig, one of your questions involves timing. If the 7-10 days excludes Paris, you are fine; if you plan to include Paris in that time frame, it becomes quite cramped. I would recommend staying about 3 nights in Nice, assuming the first is arrival from the states. Use bus/train to tour the area, although a car would be more convenient to explore to the west. I would drive along the coast from Nice to Cassis and then up to Provence. That will take the better part of the day, but it is a wonderful drive and Cannes, St. Tropez, and Cassis are worth seeing. Any of the above suggestions for Provence is fine. You would want to cover the area from Luberon in the SE, to Nimes/Avignon on the west, and the Cotes du Rhone area to the north. The towns mentioned are charming and if that is number one priority, choose one. If convenience to all areas, particularly to the north, then Avignon is probably more convenient. To get from Luberon north on the more major roads, you must go west toward Avignon.
Posted by
OP
Prescott, AZ
153 posts
I really appreciate the insights and travel tips included. Regarding timing, plan about a week in Southern France, then about 5 nights in Paris. I have rented a car in Italy before and survived, so I will be planning on renting a car again, for part of this trip.
Posted by
Lake Oswego, Oregon
1329 posts
You may want to consider checking sites like vrbo and France Homestyle for houses to rent for a week.
Posted by
L'Occitanie, France
10625 posts
These replies concern late spring, summer and early fall. The Luberon gets cold in the winter.
Posted by
Bay Area
3551 posts
1 week is not much for Fr Riveria and Provence so I suggest you stay in Nice w/o a car and visit towns along the Fr Riv by local train & walk everywhere. When you leave get a rental car and drive to Avignon or Arles see as much of Provence by car nr these towns then train it back to Paris.