Provence--Luberon vs. St. Remy

Maillane

I was thinking of Cabrieres but am open to anywhere in the Luberon.

Maillane is between Avignon and Arles, about 40 miles west of the Luberon, which would be an advantage if you want to have easier day trips to the principal sights of Provence located in central and western Provence, such as Avignon, Arles, Nimes, Orange, Pont du Gard, etc.But if you've read Peter Mayle's books that focus on the Luberon hill towns and are looking for that kind of experience (that he writes about), then one of the Luberon villages would be preferable.However, if you mean Cabrières-d'Aigues in the Vaucluse southeast of Apt, it's extremely small, as in nothing-to-do anywhere close to it. Perhaps that's what the adults want, but the teenage boys may go a bit crazy for a month in a place that dead? And, choosing Cabriere, that far east in the Luberon, would add significantly to the driving time required for day trips to Avignon, Orange, etc.And so, for the Luberon, have you considered in or near Roussillon or Lourmarin instead of Cabrieres? Or Maillane with its more central location in Provence?

Thanks for the advice. I'm thinking that I'm set on the Luberon now.

St. Remy is generally closer to things. Your sons could for instance take a bus to Avignon for the day if they chose. And, the area is flatter than the Luberon hills, which might be relevant if they wanted to rent bicycles to get around some.

Since summer rentals are often by the week, you could split the difference and stay in both places.

We found a lovely "studio cottage" two blocks outside the center of St. Remy and had a wonderful week there. It is a perfect base for traveling around Provence (we even went down through the Camargue to the med Sea). The town was so friendly, we loved having a pastis or beer outside in one place and then eating in the next. The Wednesday market was fabulous as well. George, Pittsburgh