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Questions about South of France Trip

Posted by (Stevens Point, Wisconsin, USA) on

Hello
We will be in France April of 08. After spending time in Paris we will be going south to see Provence. I'm having trouble picking a home base for this part of the trip. Or even deciding whether or not to have a home base (and day trip from there) or to just move place to place and get hotels at each location. We will leave Paris on a Tuesday night and plan to be in Aix friday night to spend time with our son who is in school there. So from Tues night to Friday night - any suggestions on how to plan this part of the trip would be so appreciated. We dont plan on renting a car, hoping we can train. Thanks in advance

Nancy in Wisconsin

Posted by
267 posts

Just adding a little side note to what Ken said:

When you are purchasing train tickets to leave Aix for another destination, make sure you check fares for both the Aix Gare SNCF and the Aix Gare TGV stations. Sometimes one is cheaper than the other. The Gare SNCF is in town, but the Gare TGV is not. However, a super-frequent/cheap shuttle from the bus station can take you there.

Any major city with a train station in Provence will make a good base.

Posted by
4132 posts

I think Arles makes a great home base. There are some wonderful things to see in Arles, Avignon, Nimes and Orange, all connected by rail.

However, having a car for a few days will greatly extend your reach, letting you cover more ground in the few days you have and also visit such sights as as the Pont du Gard, Les Baux, and the small towns of the Vacluse and the Luberon. So I urge you to think carefully about that!

You could, for example, pick up a car in Avignon and return it in Aix (avoiding the drive from Paris). For the best rate, reserve from the states or (depending on your whole rail itinerary) a French rail-and drive saverpass might be very economical.

Well, it's what I would do. But there is no doubt you can manage without a car, too.

Posted by
23 posts

If at all possible rent a car. Much of the charm of Provence is in the small towns. Use one of your days in Aix to make a day trip to Avignon. See the Palace of the Popes and Pont du Gard. From Aix you can drive to Gordes which is beautiful. Also visit Rousillon which looks very much like Sante Fe. You might consider a night or two in St Paul de Vence. This allows you to see Eze and Moustier St Marie. I can't describe how beautiful and picturesque they are. By all means drive through the Gorge du Verdon, the Grand Canyon of France. Rick is great but I highly recommend Karen Brown Guide on France. It plans your itinerary and suggests place to stay. Jeff

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