Are there sights and sounds unique to December in Provence and the French Riviera? What are some good areas from which to base and take day trips? I am considering a base somewhere in the heart of Provence and another on the Riviera, and will be getting from place to place using public transportation. Thank you.
Posted by
La Crescenta, California, USA
361 posts
It can be cold and a lot of shops are closed.
Posted by
Ypsilanti, MI, USA
233 posts
I spent the week between Christmas 2008 and New Year's 2009 in the south of France. I flew into Nice, took the train to Avignon, visited Arles, Nimes, Pont du Gard, Uzes, and Les Baux from Avignon, took the train back to Nice, and visited Monte Carlo, La Turbie, St. Jean Cap Ferrat, Villefranche, and Eze from Nice, all on public transportation and bus tours. I didn't take a winter coat, so I was VERY cold in rainy, windy Avignon, but it was great weather on the Riviera (I only needed pants and a fleece). I was able to do a lot of walking (from Eze-le-Village to Eze-Bord-de-Mer, around Monaco, from St. Jean Cap Ferrat to Beaulieu, around Nice) and had a FABULOUS time. The Christmas markets (especially in Nice) and Christmas lights in each town were my favorites. If there weren't so many other places to visit, I would love to do the trip again!
Posted by
OP
USA
34 posts
Thank you Kyla. That sounds exactly like what I want to do.
Posted by
OP
USA
34 posts
Thank you for the information, everyone. While the weather may not be ideal, I assume it won't be as cold as it is in Chicago at that time of year!
Posted by
LaGrange, Ga, USA
1178 posts
Read or get the movie, for A Year In Provance...will be a good basis for your trip...and enjoyable reading/seeing as well.....
Posted by
Chicago
2876 posts
We stayed at a B&B near Uzes in September. In February the owner sent us an email with beautiful pictures of what appeared to be about 6" of snow that had fallen on them. So Provence can definitely have a winter.
Posted by
Springfield, VA, USA
283 posts
We spent Christmas 2010 in Isle sur le Sorge. IT WAS COLD!!!! I mean, really cold! Shops were open, even the super marches, etc. A lot of restauarants closed around Christmas for three days, and some were not open at all that time of year. The market was smaller but open with vendors on the weekends. When we drove around, a lot of sites were closed also, such as museums in Gordes. One really good thing: if a site is open you may find yourself there alone. We went to Les Baux one day, and were the only ones there. Also, in Paris, museums were open, but almost empty. I spent some time in the Orangerie all alone for extended periods of time. AND Paris was absolutely beautiful with the holiday lights. One other good thing about winter: Truffles are in season. You can buy them in the stores and markets for a fairly good price. That is why we went last year. I will never go that time of year again. We had to take warm clothing to layer up with and that takes a lot of room in the luggage.