We have 3 nights to spend in early September between Dijon and Nice so thought about Provence. We plan to drive and have never been to the area before. From my research so far it seems that we should look for a smaller town/village to stay in and take advantage of having the car to tour around. With so short a time we don't plan on renting so are looking for a good B&B/small hotel but I get stuck on where we should base ourselves. Some places I've researched: St. Remy - seems to be centrally located but have read the town is less than charming and/or too "touristy". We ARE tourists so don't usually have a problem with that but with so many other choices I wonder if there is another place. I was looking at the Hotel Mas de Carassins. Saint Saturnin les Apt - more out of the way, but maybe this would force us to concentrate on the hill towns of the Luberon? Looking at Le Mas Perreal. Other places like L'Isle sur la Sorgue, Bonnieux, Vaison la Romaine - they all sound great. And is Aix really so horrible to drive into that we wouldn't want to stay there and drive in and out each day? I wonder if Provence is like being in Tuscany? We have had no problem staying at very small, out of town places there and driving to different small villages for a day of sightseeing, dinners, etc. In that case it probably doesn't matter where exactly we base ourselves, because it will all be wonderful! But I'd love to hear your opinions and/or suggestions. Thanks so much!
Posted by
Chicago
2876 posts
I'd lean against Aix and Vaison la Romaine as a home base because they're both a bit on the periphery of the region. L'Isle sur la Sorgue and St. Remy are more centrally located. St. Remy is one of our favorite towns. You will find tourists wherever you go in September, don't worry about it. The crowds aren't overwhelming at all (at least they weren't this past September). You can easily see Provence the same way you saw Tuscany, doing day trips from a home base.
Posted by
Germany, Germany
813 posts
There's a really cool castle B&B lovingly restored 45 min NE of Dijon. www.chateauderosieres.com
You could stay there instead of in Dijon before heading south.
Posted by
Dallas
1021 posts
We're partial to the Luberon. For us it is the best of Provence. It has everything we want including nice scenery and good hotels and food. You could visit Avignon on the way there and Aix on the way to Nice.
Posted by
Arvada, Colorado
75 posts
Bonnieux is sublime. I want to go back there again this year, but my wife doesn't believe in repeating. We camped, so I can't recommend roofed accommodations. Dinner at sunset in the square is a memory I treasure.
Posted by
Dallas
1021 posts
Auberge de Carcarille is 3 km from Gordes and just a bit further from Roussillon. It's a lovely hotel with a fine restaurant, well located for exploring the Luberon.
Posted by
OP
Atlanta
800 posts
Thanks so much for the reassuring replies. I'll continue to look at the different towns and see if I can come up with any other concrete questions. Otherwise, I'd welcome particular recommendations on small hotels/B&B's. Thanks again!
Posted by
Lake Oswego, Oregon
1315 posts
You can do day trips to the towns you mentioned from wherever you stay, and all of the places would be fine to stay. I love Vaison la Romaine and Le Beffroi hotel there, but also love the Luberson hill towns. Bonnieux has spectacular views but not much in the village. I didn't find St Remy to be more touristy or less charming than other places but have only visited on a day trip. I haven't stayed in Aix but we did a day trip into Aix with our rental car and had no trouble finding parking or getting in and out of town. We were also there in September. A GPS is very helpful. Be sure to visit a market or two in Provence. Lourmarin's Friday market is my favorite. Rick's Provence book gives market days for many towns.
Posted by
San Diego, CA, usa
43 posts
We stayed at this B&B in the small hilltop village of Venasque. The nearest large town/city is Carpentras and is near many sites in Provence. We spent a week there last spring enjoyed our stay in a quiet location. The B&B is reasonalbly priced, clean and comfortable, not fancy but none the less a great find. http://www.masdukairos.com/site%20gb/index.htm
Posted by
LaGrange, Ga, USA
1178 posts
Vaison La Romaine Hotel Le Eveche high on the mountain in the Citie Medieval...fantastic location and views as well. Parking 1/2 block away...narrow streets, be warned!!! Vaison La Romaine also has a Tuesday Market in the lower town, and has for about 700 years...there are smilar markets in the other towns. It may be off the beaten path, but the roads are wonderful to drive and the sights are astounding. Stayed there a couple of years ago, and still recall the great time I spent.
Posted by
Atlanta
3250 posts
Hi Karen! My vote would be for St. Remy - we were there last May and didn't find it super-touristy. We'd probably use it as a base for a future trip. It's centrally located to visit many other villages. We stayed in a farmhouse nearby so I'm not up-to-speed on hotels there. I agree that Aix would be difficult to use as a base because of the traffic. I think that it would be better to stay in a smaller village. I'd be happy to loan you my R.S. Provence book that we used to plan our trip. There is really so much to see and do in that region you won't go wrong with whatever you decide.
Posted by
San Carlos, CA, USA
383 posts
Karen, we stayed in St. Remy and loved it. Check out Hotel Sous les Figuiers. Lovely and peaceful but close to town center. I think it is less expensive than the hotel you mentioned. It's more like a B & B. Has a pool and great breakfasts. Wednesday is market day in St. Remy--don't miss it!