Suggested Itinerary for 6 Days in Provence

Glen, happy anniversary. You have made a great start with this list of sights to see. I think your next step should be to set some priorities. At least identify the three top and the three least-important experiences for you and yours. As part of that: try to associate blocks of time to each of these places. How much time do you need to do the things you want to do in Aix, for instance? Guidebooks should be useful in figuring that out. Once you've got that down, sit down with a map of the area and start fitting the blocks of time (plus driving and meals) together into days. A paper map works best. Generally you want two or even three sights that work together well logistically, but also that complement each other asethetically. Not a solid day of museums, that is: mix things up. For instance: Visit Gordes, picnic lunch, take a nature walk in the ceder forest, dinner in Lacoste. There is always more to see and do! The planning will give you both a really clear sense of the trade offs and choices. If you end up with a day or two that is not geographically compact, no big deal. Sorry, I have never been to Sault.

Will you have a car? It is a must to do all these things. I would get out a map and combine things geographically. You can see Cassis and Aix in one day, Arles and the Camargue in one day, etc. Some places are close together and you might be able to fit three locations into one day. For Les Baux, go early before the tour buses arrive. We were done with Les Baux as the buses were rolling in.

Thank you for your responses Adam and Andrea. Yes, we will have a car for the entire Provence portion of our trip. And yes, I've been trying as you have suggested to combine some geographically close locations into same day combos, but having never been to Provence before I just didn't know if they were realistic inn terms of time needed at each. Here is a draft of my itinerary: Sun. July 8 L'Isle-Sur-La-Sorgue (market day) & Les Baux Monday, July 9 Sault (supposed to be a 1 hr. 40 min. drive from our base. Does anyone have any idea if it is worthwhile and how much time we should spend there as it really doesn't couple up too well with our other destinations) Tuesday, July 10 Gordes (market day) and Rousillon Wed., July 11 the Camargue and Arles (bullgames day) Thur. July 12 Aix-En-Provence and Cassis Fri. July 13 Avignon and Pont Du Gard Sound reasonable??? Anyone have something you think is a MUST DO instead? This leaves no time to go to Grand Canyon Du Verdun. It appears to be about a 3 hour drive from my base. Does that sound about right? Would I be crazy to not include it? (we plan to see the American Grand Canyon but have not been there yet).
Thank you!

I have been to all the locations except Sault and Cassis and of course, they are all wonderful. However, one of my favorite places with a fabulous market is St. Remy which you have not included. Of the places you have chosen I could definitely eliminate Aix...it was busier and bigger than I expected. Also felt that way about Avignon. One of my favorite days was the day at the Canyon du Verdon. It was a long drive, but stunning and found a little village along the way for a great lunch. Also, another favorite day with another long drive was to the Carmague. Loved the beach town and one time saw tons of flamingos. On the way back we happened upon a beautiful lavendar field (and it was really early for the lavendar, so we felt very fortunate)Gordes is wonderful and the Abbey de Seneygau (sp)which has lavendar all in front of it...gorgeous. Les Baux is very busy and a tourist town, but if you go really early or really late it is worth walking around and seeing the view. The market at Isle sur la Sourge had tons of antiques and was great. Another area that is fun is Vancluse, and there is a wonderful area where the river comes through so if you miss the Grand Canyon try to go here...there are just so many places and so little time!

I have not been to the places you plan for the first 3 days. I was based in Arles, and the day we went to Cassis we stopped by Aix on the way back. We didn't spend much time there. Loved Cassis. Be sure to drive above town along the coast for an amazing view. In the Camargue we stopped in St. Maries de Mer and Aigues Mortes. They are both worth some time. Look for the wild white horses, flamingos and buss that roam the area. I haven't been to the Grand Canyon there.

I think your itinerary is pretty solid. It is light on one thing I happen to like very much, the Roman antiquities. But chacun a son goute. Will you spend the whole day in Sault? If not you could perhaps combine it with one of your Luberon destinations. I think you are wise to save the Canyon du Verdon for another trip. You have to draw the line someplace.

Actually, Glen, you have plenty of time. We have been to most of the places you mention. As one poster suggested, I personally would eliminate Aix. Having done that, and given the distance, I would also eliminate Cassis. The exception would be if you want to see the Med. If so, you can drive the A7/A8 east to Frejus and along the coast to Cassis. I would skip Aix as you drive past. Check out Frejus, St. Tropez, and Cassis and then take the A7 back to your base. Also, you did not mention the Cote du Rhone area. As other posters have mentioned, the area breaks conveniently into sub areas which can be comfortably covered in one day sojourns. We used Steves' book and were very happy with the breakdown of Cotes du Rhone, Luberon Hills, and SW (Arles, Pont du Gard) I would also include Nimes. You will be busy, there is a lot to see, but it is very doable.

Hi Glen, I would encourage you to keep your Aix/Cassis day. We drove to Aix one morning, visited the market, explored a bit, had lunch on the Cours Mirabeau, then drove to Cassis and explored for an hour or two and had dinner overlooking the water. Had no trouble parking in either place. Haven't been to the Canyon but have been to most of the other places and would probably cut Les Baux if I had to cut one place. Enjoy!

Most of your places are city or village-centered. The Verdon, not Verdun, is a real commitment to spending the day driving there, spending several hours in nature, and the drive back. It is spectacular and very different from the rest of your itinerary. If you go there, be sure to stop in Moustiers-Ste-Marie.

Sault is wonderful. The view of the lavender fields spreading off into the distance is fabulous. We drove their, parked at a municipal lot, soaked in the view, had a drink at a cafe, did some shopping, and in all spent perhaps 2 to 3 hours, tops. It is easy to combine a drive to Sault with a drive through the Luberon--Gordes, Roussilon, etc. Rick's Provence book has suggested routes which we followed and enjoyed a great deal. It is definitely worthwhile.

Once again thank you for your suggestions everyone. I went on ViaMichelin routes and it gave me a time of about 2 hrs. 40 min. to drive from my base village of Boulbon to the village of Moustiers-Ste-Marie at the western entrance to the Verdon gorge. Does that sound about right?

I don't know your village, but viamichelin is pretty accurate. Moustiers is a must-see. I don't know if it is in the RS book b/c people don't mention it, but it
Has some astonishing surprises.