I will be fulfilling a dream come true - taking a weeklong painting class near Vaison-la-Romaine at the end of May. I plan to stay an extra week or so perhaps before and/or after exploring the area ending with a jaunt to Nice etc.. as I am likely flying out from there (or Marseilles). I welcome any suggestions as to finding budget locations, what villages are best for access to buses(as I'd like to avoid renting a car and bakeries!. Guess I better get researching bus schedules and itineraries and read Rick Steve's current Provence! Any input welcomed.
Posted by
New York, NY, USA
11294 posts
Yes, do get the most current Rick Steves Provence And The French Riviera, as he has LOTS of good information about hotels and transit. He is particularly strong on getting around the Riviera by bus and train. Nice is the easiest base to use for this, but if you want to stay elsewhere, he has the details. From Nice, there are many places in this area that you can see without a car. In Provence near Marseille (as opposed to Nice), you are limited without a car. I visited without a car, and saw Marseille, Arles, Avignon, Nimes (my favorite), Orange, and Aix-en-Provence. These were all easy by train or bus, and a few others are possible (e.g., Cassis), but many other places in that area will require a car.
Posted by
LaGrange, Ga, USA
1178 posts
From my trip there several years ago I would recoomend an automobile...I used the Smart Car and it was adequate. Vaison La Romain - Be sure to go to the Citi Medieval on top of the mountain. Fantastic. If you want to splurge, get a room there for the night. Their weekly market is lots of fun, and has been so for several hundred years. I did not find Marseilles to be that good. It is still a rough sea town in many aspects. A few miles away is Montepeiller (spelling?) Much cleaner and nicer. If you have the time and inclination travel to Caux, France (near Peznas(spelling)..So small it does not make all the maps. The Stone House Bed And Breakfast is one of the best, and reasonable that I have ever visited. Highly recommended, and near the coast as well. Nice is very nice. You will enjoy it as well. Read the book A Year In Provence. Excellent background!!!
Posted by
Elk Grove, CA, USA
6898 posts
Harold is correct about the places in Provence that you can visit by bus and train. You should also do well with public transportation in Nice. If you have any thoughts of visiting the most beautiful villages in Provence (Lourmarin, Gordes, Roussilon, Les Baux-de-Provence and others), you will need a car.
Posted by
Colorado Springs
334 posts
Just thinking about Vaison brings back such wonderful memories - the Luberon area is nice, too, if you want just a slightly different place for your second week. We traveled by bike and car. It's an area I'd love to go back to - just enjoy!
Posted by
OP
Harrisville
7 posts
Harold, Larry and Karen,
Sorry not to have replied sooner. I was thinking the same thing - that perhaps I should rent a car before and after the class. On my previous trips to Provence I have rented a car. My painting class will be taking us to Vaison La Romain Market and other markets each morning so that we can paint.... If planning and funds permit I will go a week before the class and then stay an additional week as then I would have even more familiarity. Rhus far mentioned I have been to most except Vaison.. and all were wonderful! In fact I rented a house in the Luberon - Peypin de Aixes(?) - very small town perhaps too small - the one cafe seemed only to be a bar. Thanks for the tips on Marseilles. My real question is how to get to Avignon via public transportation either from Paris or Nice. Research time! And I shall look up this Stone House B&B. Thinking of going to Switzerland to visit my late husband's family and train down in to France from Zurich. My! I do have planning and thinking to do! Happy holidays and New Year!