Need help in location for 5 days in Provence. There are so many regions of this area that I need help in. Two couples 5 days, with auto. Budget is $200-300. per night for hotel/B&B. Do not want big city, on the other hand don't want total isolation. Would like some type of restaurant activity, as well as some night life. Wine country is a plus, hills are not so good.
Any help would be very much appreciated
Posted by
Long Beach, California, USA
3398 posts
If you want to go a bit farther west then the wine country in Languedoc is amazing. Not nearly as touristy as Provence and much more authentically French in my opinion! We spent a summer in a beautiful town called Pezenas, a small "village circulade" that is typical of this part of France. It is surrounded for miles and miles by thousands of acres of small, family run vineyards, that produce excellent wines. Some of them are very unique...one in particular is housed in an old monastery - the old monastery church holds the giant wooden casks that are in what used to be the side chapels and they hold concerts there in summer. So many really interesting wine growers. There are other small villages around as well that are really interesting to explore. Pezenas has lots of restaurants and a nice feel. Not sure about night life as this doesn't appeal to us but I'm sure it can be found! Just a suggestion for something a little different!
Posted by
Seattle, WA, USA
784 posts
I agree. Pezenas is a wonderful town, and very well situated for daytripping into the Western part of Provence (Nimes, Arles, Camargue, etc.), Carcassone, Colluoire. It is only about 30 minutes from the Mediterrean and it isn't very touristy, but there's a good Saturday market. I've spent a total of 5 weeks in the area and would go back in a heartbeat.
Posted by
Grapevine, Texas, USA
4 posts
That's what I would like to explore. Any BB recommendation?
Posted by
Seattle, WA, USA
784 posts
We rented a house in a village about 3 miles from Pezenas. Check out www.villaromarins.com - we rented Le Cerisier for both of our visits. Three weeks in 2005 and two weeks in 2010. It is like a second home to us. The owners are British and very accommodating. It is a short walk into the village for the morning baguette.
Posted by
Columbia, MO, USA
249 posts
Lourmarin is a great base for Provence (in the Luberon). We had an apt there and did day trips to Gordes, Bonniuex, and other places for lunch. Dined in several different restaurants in Lourmarin for dinners. Wine tasting available there and nearby vineyards. We rented Le Petit Reve, owned by a couple from NY. Send PM for more info.
Posted by
OP
everett, ma, usa
3 posts
Thanks to all who replied. We are going to stay our 5 days in Lourmarin at the Cote Lourmarin, a small B&B. Any other tips would be much appreciated.
Joe H.
Posted by
Lake Oswego, Oregon
1329 posts
We loved our stay in Lourmarin. We made day trips to several Luberon villages, Vaison la Romaine, Cassis, Aix en Provence, Uzes, St Remy. The Friday market in Lourmarin is outstanding. We had a nice dinner at L'Antiquaire in Lourmarin. For wine, you can't beat a visit to Chateau Mourchon in Seguret.