provence

Jake · Post by **Jake** » Thu Apr 29, 2004 5:59 pm

I have been following this forum for quite a while and all in all I think I have picked up some good information about the CVO area. I am planning a trip to Provence next year for about 3 weeks for the first time. I know there are quite a few web sites on the Provence area, but I find that forums such as this can give you information that you might not find elsewhere. So I would appreciate any information that someone might have about the Provence area of France such as you find on this forum.

Ellie · Post by **Ellie** » Thu Apr 29, 2004 10:08 pm

Its a beautiful and large area..Provence
What I enjoyed most there were the Lavender fields..wonderful sight from June up to about October (I think)..this the cultivated lavender for the perfume and other products..pays d'Apt..pays de Sault are 2 areas.also Valensole..
North of Grasse youll find wild Lavender.
i think its better to go 'off the beaten track'...and youll find some lovely places!....happy wanderings

jake · Post by **jake** » Fri Apr 30, 2004 3:34 am

Thanks for the information and your thoughts on Provence Ellie. More often than not, "off the beaten path" is where you find the most interesting places.

Lesley Jean · Post by **Lesley Jean** » Fri Apr 30, 2004 8:29 am

Hi Jake,
I agree with Ellie, we have been to the south of France quite a few times over the past 10 years, last time we stayed just outside Aix-en-Provence, that was a most beautiful area, the town itself was great, but when you get out into the countryside it is just stunning, you can see why so many artists go there to paint. There is a beautiful hill top town (but I can't remember its name, someone help me here) which is an artists village, the veiws are stunning and the place was really lovely, some very good restaurants. You do need to drive out into the hills and away from the coastal area to appreciate Provence. Have a great time, I envy you.
Hey Ellie, how come we have never met, we seem to go to the same places, I even have a brother who lives in Lincolnshire!

Ellie · Post by **Ellie** » Fri Apr 30, 2004 3:26 pm

Hi Lesley!
D'you know....a little while ago Frances' oldest person died..a lady of 116(I think

) ..and they had film of her talking..she had artists shop in the south..and she said 'Van Gogh' used to buy his brushes/things from her..isnt that amazing? (would it have been Arles?)..Ive forgotten!
I think its great to off beaten track..rememeber getting bit lost in maritime alps..end in SPOOKY little village..seemed completely deserted..but France is like that isnt it ? ...in large rural area...bit..creepy?
what time of year you going Jake?
Our last visit to Provence I think was around Whitsun time...and was bit chilly at times...the mistral was still blowing...

Francophile · Post by **Francophile** » Sat May 01, 2004 1:21 am

Hi Jake, you have made a great choice for a break to remember, we have been to Provence on several visits and are due back there for the whole of July this year, where to go and what to see, it is so diverese. July at Avignon for the festival and palais de papas, the hill town of les Beaux, small hill town wounderful food and views. Montagne de Luberon range, beautiful scenery, idillic hamlets such as Bonnieux, Mont Ventoux 6000ft used on the Tour de France and where the Englands greatest tour cyclist died (Tommy Simpson) 100 mtrs from the finish line. Sisiteron and Orpierre fantastis areas cut out of the rocks, the markets at Apt and Forcalquler are not to be missed. Travel further west and drive the Gorge du Verdon and around Lac de Ste Croix. For extra special out of this world culture visit Monaco, sounds expensive? it is not, underground garage parking for £5 a day, food at acceptable prices, and if you are into classic concerts check out the Monaco website for concerts at the Princes Palace. Tickets are around 15Euros, the orchestra is the Monaco Philharmonic if I've spelt it correctly. Where else? well take your pick, what do you like to do on a holiday? Provence is our first love and a dream to live for. Hope this has been of help and that you have a super visit.

Jake · Post by **Jake** » Sat May 01, 2004 3:06 am

Ellie, Lesley Jean and Franacophile...Thank you so much for your posts about Provence, they will certainly be a big help on planning my trip. In years past my wife and I would try in cover a country in about 2 weeks. Call it age or aquired wisdom, but we now realize that we miss so much by trying to see too much in too short a time. So now we pick out an area that we want to visit, rent a small house or apartment in a centrally located small town and then make day trips with a few overnighters thrown in for longer trips. If any other information pops into your minds about Provence I certainly would like to hear from you...Thanks again folks.

Francophile · Post by **Francophile** » Sat May 01, 2004 12:26 pm

Jake......have you any specific likes, dislikes, interests etc. when travelleing, might be able to put a little more meat on the bone so to speak?

jake · Post by **jake** » Sun May 02, 2004 12:09 pm

Francophile wrote:Jake......have you any specific likes, dislikes, interests etc. when travelleing, might be able to put a little more meat on the bone so to speak?

What we usually find most interesting are historial sites, picturesque small towns and scenic countrysides. Also I am wondering about the weather in mid March to mid April? Off season seems to suit us best to avoid the tourist season, but I realize it can be a bit chancy at that time of year. We usually fly out of Toronto Canada...Would you pick Marseille over Nice to put you closer the Provence area? What town would you pick to stay in or near to give you the best location for day trips? I hope that I am not burdening you for too much information, but I have found in the past that your best information comes from people like yourself who have spent a considerable amount of time visiting a particular country. Thanks in advance...Jake

Francophile · Post by **Francophile** » Thu May 20, 2004 1:14 am

Hi Jake sorry for the delay but been away. Much of France does not become overwelmingly busy until the middle of July through to mid August. June and early July gives good weather and not overcrowded. I would personally pick Nice as a starting point to savour the immediate culture of the Provence coast then move inland around Apt to take in the Luberon valley, this is lavender country with a capital L, or any of the small towns in the immediate area, lower prices then the main tourist towns and a much better feel Provence factor. Being based in this area puts you at a central location for much of what is the real Provecal area, providing the mountains, the woodlands, meadows and much architecture, Avignon, Nimes, ( a must see for the Roman amphitheatre, finest and most complete in the world) Pont du Gard, and so it goes on. Check out the Provencal websites, eat where you see the French eating and shop where the French shop. Visit the daily markets to buy excellent fresh produce, which can be tasted before buying, great fun and the way to improve your culinery apetite. We are visiting again this summer and really cannot wait to get there.

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