Provence with our son

We've stayed near St. Remy, and it was a great base. Other places would work too.

The drive from Paris is not trivial. Personally I would not even consider it unless (1) I was looking forward to a road-trip adventure and (2) was prepared to spend two or even three days to do that. (I don't mean that you couldn't drive to Provence in one long day, just that I wouldn't want to.)

The train is so fast (much faster than an auto) and easy that it is a compelling choice. There are even direct trains to and from Charles deGaulle, if that is relevant to your itinerary planning.

Have fun!

Same as Adam. The TGV high speed train reaches speeds of 180 to 200 mph during parts of its run, 2 or 3 time faster than you can drive the same distance. Your arrange to rent your car at your last TGV station, such as Avignon TGV.

We did just what you are thinking of. We took the TGV to Aix en Provence and rented a car. The station is about 15 minutes outside Aix, not the "downtown" train station.

We had a great time. Rented a small apartment, made day trips to Cassis, St. Tropez, Avignon, etc. Went shopping in the local markets and stores, and just wandered around.

Send me a PM if you have any other specific questions or thoughts.

We stayed in a "gites" near St. Remy with our 9 & 11 year old in July. In the summer, it is essential to find a place with a pool! It was very hot (last week of June, first week of July). It is great with kids to come back to the pool and then have a kitchen and terrace area to eat in if everyone's tired. They found sightseeing in the heat very hard. Highlights for them were canoeing on the Rive Garde (and going under the Pont du Garde, swimming and picknicking), and a cruise on the Canal du Midi (although not in Provence). Also, we stopped and had a picnic across from les Baux one day. Horrible Histories by Terry Deary has a book on France which the kids enjoyed. They also read kids books on Van Gogh and some impressionists.

We took a train to Avignon, rented a car and drove to St. Remy. rented a small cottage two blocks outside of town and thought it was the perfect location. The people were very warm and friendly, Wednesday market among the best... very close to Les Baux, which your son will love. We even drove down through the Camargue to the Mediterranean and saw the white horses and gorgeous flamingos... plenty of opportunities down there for your son to ride on the Cheval blancs.
Bon voyage, George, Pittsburgh

Just to provide another thought, we took our then-12-year-old son to France several years ago. We've traveled to both Provence and to the Dordogne region before, and had to choose between the two for the trip with our son. Because we knew, from a previous trip, that he likes castles, we ended up going to the Dordogne, which has a multitude of old castles, as well as world-reknowned prehistoric sites.

We just felt there was more for a kid to enjoy in the Dordogne than Provence; depending on your son's interess, you might want to look into it.

Bill, another travel option is a second flight from Paris to one of the airports in or near Provence. I've gotten convenient and inexpensive flights into Marseilles.

We took our two grown sons and their families (11 in total) to Provence for 2 weeks in June 2008. The trip was so successful, we are returning in mid-June 2010 for another 2 weeks. Included in the first trip were two 5 year olds and a 2 year old (will be 7 and 4 for the upcoming trip). We trained from CDG airport to Avignon and rented 3 cars there. This allowed for flexibility of schedules and separate excursions if wanted.

We would ONLY stay in Gites and only with those having full ammenities (pool, table games, exploration areas, etc.) in order to keep all entertained. Plenty of Roman ruins in Provence to visit which keep the younger ones entertained.

Gites are a better bargain as they allow for your own pace for cooking or eating out, staying put or exploring, and for cooling off in a pool if in the summer months. Try to find a Gite with the owner(s) or managers on-site. They are a great source of information on local restaurants, off the beaten track places to visit, grocery shopping, emergency dentist, etc.

Definitely take the smaller children! Our then almost 3 year old granddaughter is the impetus for this coming return visit. SHE starting saving change upon our return to the States for the return visit SHE determined we were to have! In return, they will give you a perspective you would not have had as a perhaps somewhat jaded or time worn adult. It also shows them the need for an American to learn another language. They will see the need imediately, and will pick up the local language VERY quickly!

Enjoy!

Brooks and Priscilla