Barb

We will spend 9 days in Provence in mid-June ( 2 adults, 1 child). Currently I have us based in Les Baux at Mas L'Oulivie for 5 nights and Aix en provence at Le Pigonnet for 4 nights. I tried for Villa Gallici, but they were booked (and may have been too expensive anyway).Are these good bases from which to explore Provence or are they too close together? Also, any opinions on staying at these hotels - we have a triple room in each, hope it's not too cramped! Any not to missed sights for an 8 yr old? We have Pont du Gard high on the list! Thanks!

steve

I recommend using Avignon as one of your bases. The area around Avignon is full of interesting places, including Pont de Gard, Chateauneuf (wine), Orange, Carpentras and others. During our recent visit, we stayed in Avignon, Aix, and near Nice (vence). <BR>You can check out our trip on my website. <BR>http://www.geocities.com/Yosemite/5733 <BR>

Christina

I think those are fairly good bases, not too close together, unless you want to see anything much farther east towards Nice. If not, I think that's okay. It really depends what you want to see, because if you want to see more of the Vaucluse area much north of Avignon (ie, Orange, Vaison la Romaine, MOnt Ventoux), in addition to down near Aix, I might recommend you spread out accommodations a little more, staying Avignon perhaps or N/NE of there, rather than around Les Baux. It's no big deal, that's true, these places aren't that far apart so if you have a car you can get to all these places. If you do want to see things east of Aix in the Var or Alpes-Maritimes depts, you might want to move from Aix somewhere else, but I don't know of a good base in that area (Grasse? Mougins? Antibes? don't know). It sounds like you don't plan that, though. I think it really gets down to what places you want to see in Provence. I'm going there in July and was thinking of staying at Le Pigonnet, it looked good to me; it is much cheaper than Villa Gallici, it appears. But I don't know anything personal about it, just web site stuff.

Marija

We stayed at Le Pigonnet several years ago and thought it was great. Dinner is served outdoors and an eight year can explore the beautiful grounds while you eat a leisurely dinner. It's about a 15 minute walk to the center of the city. The castle at Tarascon (sp?), not far from Le Baux, may be fun for a kid. Have a great time!

Jen

Barb: <BR> <BR>I've used the Mas L'Oulivie twice as a base in Provence and I would recommend that over Avignon. I've run into traffic in and out of Avignon, and my opinion is 'why waste time in traffic'? <BR> <BR>Anyway, super place to stay. GREAT restaurants in the area - check out the Gault Millau book (for Paris/Provence) to see the restaurants - you must go to Le Petit France in Paradou for dinner. The best - and a great value for what you get. St. Remy is close too for a number of good places. There's another place in Mausanne (sp?) that is Ou Ravi something - excellent dining in a beautiful garden outside. <BR> <BR>Anyway, from there you are in a super location for Arles, Nimes, St. Remy, Avignon, the Luberon towns, the Camargue, etc. <BR> <BR>Your other choice of Aix is good as well. They are not too close and will be great bases. <BR> <BR>I have lots of info about things around the Les Baux part if you are interested; feel free to e-mail me separately if you have questions. <BR> <BR>Jen

Capo

Hi Barb. Assuming you prefer to spend all, or most, of your time in the eastern part of Provence (which it sounds like you do), those locations sound like two good choices for bases, though I'm not familiar with those specific hotels. I thought the citadel of Les Baux was fascinating, but I'd *highly* recommend going in the early morning or late afternoon when the crowds might not be so bad. And the Pont du Gard is breathtaking; I'm sure you'll love it. I'd recommend hiking above it on a path to a spot where you get a great view, and also walking down to the river to see how impressive it looks from below. Have a great time!

Ron

From Aix, you are only a short drive (1hr?) from Cassis. We spent a day hiking the calenques west of Cassis. Some of the hiking we did is probably a bit much for an 8 year old but there are less strenuous trails and the area is beautiful. I don't know how the crowds will be in June (we were there in October) so that may be a problem, but no-one else had mentioned this area so I thought I would throw it in the mix.

janice

The best vacation I've ever been on was 3 weeks in Provence, based out of Les Baux. I was doing the cooking for the house, so every morning we a book titled "Markets in Provence", looked to see who had food markets that day and went in that direction. <BR>Mausson was our town: great pastries in the morning, wonderful town square (the bar will wait on you when you are in the square proper . <BR>--THE restaurant was the previously mentioned Au Ravi Provence. This was the restaurant, for food, atmosphere, and price. The owners and waiters directed us towards affordable yet tasty LOCAL wine, incredible pistou, lamb, steak, you name it. And has the world's largest orange cat that likes to lounge in a giant copper serving dish in front of the restaurant ovens. I received this recommendation from a couple that had summered in the area for 10 years the night we ate at Beauminere (sp?). They preferred Au Ravi, and if I had the money (and the time)I'd fly back to Au Ravi for dinner any day of the week. Le Petit France was good, other good restaurants in Paradou, also. <BR>--Also, don't miss the market in Saint Remy on Wednesdays, Cassis is an excellent day trip, the winery Domaine de la Citadelle near Menerbes has drinkable wine with an off-the-wall corkscrew museum <BR>--fontain de Vaucluse was a waste of time for us, but the drive there and the views we got of the Pont du Gard were worth it <BR>--we saw a "bullfight" in St. Remy--if you can, do! It's not spanish style, local, homegrown, neighborhood enterainment and no bulls get killed <BR>--the castle at Tarascon was great, and filled with wonderful grafitti from all of its inhabitants. <BR>--there were bullfighting lessons in the stadium in Arles, my mom saw kids from 4 - 16 taking their lessons. <BR>enjoy! <BR> <BR>--

Barb

Thanks for all of your helpful replies and reassurances about where to stay. I am concerned about the Avignon traffic so I wanted to stay in a smaller town, but close enough to visit. Steve, your website is great. I loved the provence links and the wonderful description of your excursions. Thanks to all for the tips on sights to visit; the castle Tarascon is now on the list, as is the town of Cassis. We are looking forward to the markets as well. Loved the suggestions on restaurants - thanks! again.

PB

I live in Maussane-les-Alpilles and would certainly opt to stay in Les Baux rather than fighting Avignon traffic. the Mas de l'Oulivie is a lovely property. <BR> <BR>There is a marvelous zoo at the Chateau de Barben that an 8 year old would probably love. It's not far from Salon de Provence... well signposted. <BR>Here are a few more restaurants in the vicinity that are very good. Ou Ravi Provencal is good, (although I haven't eaten there in several years since they never change the menu). <BR> <BR>St. Remy <BR> <BR>Bistrot des Alpilles - <BR>Specialities - Tagliatelli with Cêpes, Gigôt d'agneau au ficelle. <BR>Everything on the menu is very good, the portions are copious (especially for France) and the service is friendly... there are two terraces, one enclosed and one open. <BR>Dress - Casual, although during the summer 'season' you are likely to see just about anything and everything in the way of clothing. <BR>Reservations recommended during the high season and on weekends. <BR>Moderately priced <BR> <BR>Jardin de Frédéric <BR>Small, cozy restaurant with a small outdoor terrace. Good seafood dishes. Friendly owner and service is good. <BR>Dress - Casual <BR> <BR>La Serre <BR>Charming restaurant - chef is the grandson of Gaston Lenotre. Very good, inventive food, very reasonably priced. <BR>Dress - casual <BR>Xa <BR>Only open in the summer.... eclectic menu with interesting food. <BR>Dress Casual. <BR> <BR> <BR>La Gousse d'Ail <BR>Small restaurant with great atmosphere, in the center of the village. Chef/owner is actually Dutch - but the food is French and very good. <BR>Dress- Casual <BR> <BR> <BR>Maussane-les-Alpilles <BR> <BR>Le Fournil <BR>Traditional Provençal cuisine and great individual pizzas (not American style). A wonderful family restaurant. <BR>Dress - casual <BR> <BR>Le Margaux <BR>Charming small restaurant in the center of the village. Although I find that it a bit inconsistent, they more often get it right than wrong. Lovely terrace. <BR>Dress - casual <BR> <BR>* Petite France <BR>Michelin one star restaurant, just outside Maussane near Le Paradou in a renovated farmhouse. Excellent food, good service. One of the best wine lists in France. <BR>Personal favorites are the raviolis with green olives, sage and ricotta and the breast of duck. <BR>Dressy casual. Reservations recommended <BR> <BR>Bistrot du Paradou <BR>Popular (written about endlessly) with everyone. Lunch and Dinner (dinner served only from July through the end of September). One Menu, based on market shopping - basically you eat what Jean-Louis' wife cooks ! Lately I've found that the menus are changing less and less, however. <BR>Friday is always Aïoli day. Check the menu of the day before reserving <BR>Dress is casual, and you might just run into Charles Aznavour at the bar, or Patricia Wells lunching with friends. <BR> <BR>Mouriès <BR> <BR>Le Vallon de Gayet <BR>Near the Golf course, at the foot of the Alpilles, this is a wonderful family run restaurant. All of the grilled foods are done on a big open fireplace. In the summer months you can dine on the large outdoor terrace shaded by ancient trees. <BR>Speciality - Grilled meats - Duck, Beef, Boar. Fantastic Potatoes - Pommes de Terre Salardais. <BR>Dress - Casual <BR> <BR>Fontvieille (between Arles & Les Baux) <BR> <BR>Cuisine au Planet <BR>Very small, but charming, restaurant in the center of the village. Creative young chef, who creates very good menus. Small outdoor terrace for summer dining. <BR>Dress - casual <BR> <BR>Eygalières <BR> <BR>* Bistrot d'Eygalières <BR>Michelin one star. Charming restaurant in the center of this tiny village. Owners/chef are Belgian, trained at the Baumanière in the 'good old days'. Inventive cuisine, fairly good wine list. In the summer, tables are set outside on the sidewalk for outdoor dining. <BR>Reservations recommended in season and on weekends. <BR> <BR>PB <BR>

michele williams

Has anyone heard of Cloitre St-Louis in Avignon or Hostelerie Les Frenes just outside of Avignon.<BR><BR>Michele