Where should I stay in provence ?

I%26#39;m planning to spend 7 to 8 days in Provence with my husband. The places that we want to go include Avignon, Aix, St Remy, Pont du Gard, Gordes, Les Baux, Arles and Marseille.

1. Could you give me advice as to what are the must-go places in the above long list ?

2. I plan to stay in 2 places and go to the others as daytrips. I am inclined to stay in Marseille for a few days. What would be the other place that you%26#39;d reco for staying, pretty in itself and convenient enough for daytrips?

3. Is a car essential ? Or taking the train+bus would be good enough ?

So many thanks for yr advice.

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Regarding which places on your list are %26quot;must-go%26quot; sites, I would list: Avignon, St. Remy, Gordes, Les Baux and Arles. I have listed these as %26quot;Musts%26quot; in large part because of their historical significance, but they are beautiful as well and representative of what mmost people think of when they hear the word %26quot;Provence.%26quot; I would probably add Rousillon, the Luberon, the Camargue, and the wine villages of the Southern Cotes-du-Rhone area.

On your list I would place Aix and Marseilles in the Second tier insofar as places to visit. Naturally these choices are totally subjective.

I would suggest situating yourself in or near St. Remy for the duration of your stay. It is a lovely small town with a host of wonderful restaurants and a beautiful tree lined boulevard (the Cours Mirabeau)that encircles the town center. It is also within walking distance to the significant Roman ruins at Glaunum on the town%26#39;s outskirts and a short drive, about 15-20 minutes, to Les Baux. As Western Provence is relatively compact you can easily visit pretty much everything by making a series of day trips provided that you are driving. Driving will also permit you to just explore on your own schedule by perhaps taking the road less travelled. Touring becomes alot more difficult if you choose to rely upon public transportation, since you must adhere to its%26#39; schedules and, since you will be travelling at a time that is not the true High Season. But that is a choice that you will have to make.

I hope that this input will be helpful as you continue to make your plans.

AlpillesGal

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