Hello!
My husband and I are going to a wedding in Saignon, (Provence region in France) at the end of August this year. We are planning on taking a week-10 days to travel around the area, but would love some suggestions on where to go/what to see.
We are thinking of staying in the south of France area, but are open to renting a car and driving the countryside/along the coast, stopping for a couple days or so in each area. Would that be better than taking the train/public transport? We are also thinking of maybe going to Corsica for a few days.
What areas in the south of France and Provence region would you recommend visiting? Is Corsica worth the trip?
Thanks so much for your help!
South of France itinerary help!
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For 7-10 days - I would just stay in the Provence/Cote d'Azur region. A perfect base in Provence would be .....Saignon.
You'll need a car to explore the lovely countryside, perched villages, mountains, gorges, farmer's markets, Roman ruins, coast, & other sites.
Mt wife & I have spent 34 weeks exploring this region - and we're returning for 4 more weeks next year. Provence/Cote d'Azur is quite crowded in August - but it will probably start to slack off from peak highs around Aug 25 when the French return from their summer vacations.
I would fly into Paris CDG airport and immediately take the TGV (train) from CDG to the Avignon TGV station, rent a car, and spend 4 nights near Saignon in the lovely Luberon. Then I would head to Aix en Provence and stay there for 1 night - but not a Sunday night (shops close on Sundays & Monday mornings). Then head to the Cote d'Azur & stay in Nice for 4 nights. You could keep the car in Nice for a few days & explore the interesting Nice Hinterland (backcountry/Alps) and then return the car at the Nice train station and take trains to the nearby villages (Villefranche/Antibe/Eze,etc). Fly home from Nice.
You won't even come close to seeing all the stuff you'll probably want to see in this region in just 7-10 days - so don't go to Corsica or anyplace else. If you had another 5-6 days I would also suggest that you stay in St Remy while in Provence and St Tropez along the coast.
I have a 27 page itinerary that describes our favorite villages, cities, markets, scenic drives - and has a section on Provence fabric. I've sent the itinerary to over 3,500 people on Fodors - about 30 people just this past week. If you would like a copy, e-mail me at StuDudley@aol.com & I'll attach a copy to the reply e-mail. Do so soon - we're leaving for our spring vacation in Europe in a week.
Stu Dudley
Thanks so much Stu - I just emailed you!
Just outside Saignon is Silvergues, where there is a goat farm and you can book lunches or dinners. I stayed there a few days as well as in Saignon
Languedoc is a wonderful place to visit, less crowded than Provence, great scenery, wines, food.
P.S. The Camargue is nothing like anything else in the South of France. Wild white horses, black bulls, pink Flamingoes, a bird santuary and several wonderful restos. and a flat terrain.
The beaches are great for picnics.
Corsica is ..."l'Ile de Beauté" for good reason. The only bemol for going to Corse is the price of the ferry (but even the ferry trip is like a small cruse if you take it by day so it is in a way worth). In MY opinion it would be a pity not to visit Corsica if you can.
Carla
http://southweststory.com
Thanks everyone! I really appreciate your responses!
@ cigalechanta: I'd never heard of the Camargue - thanks, I'll definitely look into it!
@ Carla, do you happen to know how long the ferry ride is to Corsica? I thought I saw somewhere it said approx 7-8 hrs depending on where you are catching it from. Is it better to do n overnight ride (do they even have that option?) to maximize daytime hrs? And when on Corsica, is it better to just stay on one side of the island or explore around? I understand the terrain is quite different based on which side of the island you are?
Sofi.