Places and things to see in the Provence
Hi Everyone,
I've been trawling throughout past posts and have picked up a lot of tips for sites and a few locations in Provence. We are staying in the area with our caravan for a couple of weeks late May / early June.
It would be good to hear the names of some towns, sights and places of interest that you are really glad you experienced when you were there.
Just the names are fine.
Thanks a bunch.
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It's an area we love, but inland rather than the coast.
Off the top of my head some our own favourites have been testing and buying perfumes in Grasse, having an expensive lunch on the terrace at Les Florets above Gigondas or a cheaper one at Le Platane in Apt, strolling the smaller Friday market at Eygalieres or the bigger Saturday market in Arles, tasting and buying wine at Chateau des Tours at Sarrians, cold beers in the square at Mausanne, walking the pine tree ridge of the Alpilles above Les Baux, finding a concert in the cathedral at Aix, and touring the lavender fields above Apt. But you will be too early for that last one I'm afraid.
I might think of some more !
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One of my favourite places to go is Mt Ventoux. When we've visited the area we've used Le Bregoux at Aubignan, just N of Carpentras. You can always visit Vaison Le Romaine too. We've also visited Orange, Avignan and Chateneuf du Pape, using Le Bregoux as our base. We've even had a day out to the Luberon to visit some of the town's and villages that feature in Peter Mayle's book, A Year In Provence'. When we were there last (in 2016), we were fortunate enough to be there at the same time as tbe the Tour de France was passing by.
David
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We will be at Les Genets d’or, Bagnols sur Ceze, at the end of May early June. We love the site and the river and go most years. Good base for Avignon and the Cevennes. Just ask Yvette to point out the English couple who visit every year!
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All the places we enjoyed in Provence in May 2015 are mentioned in my blog
https://jennyandjohngocaravanning.wordpress.com/2015/06/12/provence-aude-and-millau/
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The Gorge du Verdon is one of our favourite places too, but when we've visited we've often done a 'big day out there when we've stayed in the Frejus area.
If you stay on the coast, another place to visit is Monaco. We've often done a day visit to Monaco in August, and we've always chosen a date to coincide with one of the countries taking part in the International Firework Competition. We've seen some brilliant evening firework displays.
David
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Aix-en-Provence is also very nice, we were there the day of a Teialthlon event, the town was buzzing, great location...
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Hi Jamsdad, Can you recommend one of the sites walking distance from St Remy. Bastide is an ACSI site, any good?
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May I help?
There are three old established sites in St Remy. None of them ever offered discounts via ACSI - they didn't need to. Of those three Monplaisir is considered "best" by those who like an immaculate, well equipped site.
Bastide was a new site a few years ago, and immediately joined ACSI to get a share of the trade. At first it was a bit of a building site or "a work in progress" as they say, but I can't say how it is now.
If you really want to save a few euros via ACSI then the site at Maussanne les Alpilles, Camping les Romarins, just over the hill from St Remy, is one worth looking at. There is a bus service from there into Arles which is useful for motorhomers.
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Provence is a historical term. Provence Alpes Cote d'Azur (PACA) is the modern title of the region. Lots to do and see LINK, including the Riviera. We like the coast, but it's not to everyone's taste as it is busy most of the year.
Cannes fresco
La Croisette
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We stayed at camping Pegomas. Thought it was a lovely site. Good very clean toilet and showers. Nice pool. Short walk into St Remy. Loved it.
Also visited the place where Van Gough lived - walked there following a Van Gough trail from the town.
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St remy - monplaisir is one of our favourite sites. Not acsi. Short walk to supermarket and town centre. Friendly family owners. You're probably too late for the sheep festival, traditional taking sheep to high pastures. The sheep are paraded around the town, sounds mad but very popular and quite enjoyable.
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We have stayed between Toulon and St. Tropez a few times - we like it very much but I would be blacklisted for divulging the site name since it is so popular with the regulars. Going again in a few weeks when we intend to stay at last a month.
Whilst there we tend to revisit our favourite haunts such as Collobrieres (lunch at La Petite Fontaine), several markets, Bormes les Mimosas (like an Italian village clinging to the hillside), buying wines direct from vineyards (one owned by a Scot), good cycling for my OH.
We also spent an enjoyable couple of weeks just outside Cucuron a few years ago. Lovely market there on a Tuesday. Fab meal at the Michelin starred restaurant in the square. Lost count of the number of times we have watched the film 'A Good Year' with Russell Crowe who inherits a vineyard from his uncle, which includes shots filmed in Cucuron (with its distinctive rectangular walled 'basin'), Gordes and other lovely villages.
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Many thanks for the recommendations. ACSI not essential and we could get a bus to Arles from St. Remy I believe.
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We've stayed at La Bastide a few times, most recently last September for 6 nights. We like the site, it has big pitches, and the access roads are very spacious, no problems getting on or off pitches. Toiletblock is fine, no loo paper in common with lots of other French sites, but cleaned twice a day. Lots of showers. Owner cycles past at times with whatever fresh produce he has too much of, and gives it away.
Walking distance into St Remy, lovely market on a Wednesday. Also very good for cycling, if you're into that.
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How mean not to share
We wouldn't tell anyone.
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David mentioned Monaco - which we visited a few years ago and it is well worth a visit. We walked the F1 track and that was amazing. It is short, and steep and the noise in the tunnel with cars staying in 2nd gear and high revs is amazing. There is so much money on show!
And underground car parking wasn't frighteningly expensive!
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We have booked camping pegomas for the end of May and will miss the transhumance this year. Did see it last year and it was amazing (if not a little whiffy). St Remy is a perfect base for all things provencal with so many sights at easy reach.
Dont forget a trip to pont du gard (amazing).
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Followed this thread with interest as we too are planning for Provence in late May/June. Heading for a few nights at St Remy then like the sound of Castellane for Verdon Gorge.
anyone any experience of towing on the N85/D17? Or are other routes better. (Reynoray - wondered why you plan to opt for a B&B for similar?)
then up towards Annecy. Again, any comments re towing caravan on which routes. (Santa Fe 4wd plus 7.5m van)
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IanTG, Rather than go all the way round to Castellane at the far end of the Gorge du Verdon you might find it more convenient to visit the gorge from the western end.There are lots of sites around the Lac de Ste Croix although my own choice would be Camping Rose de Provence in Riez. If you are starting from St Remy de Provence your best approach to it is via Cavaillon, Pertuis and Manosque.
From there to Annecy it's easy and very pleasant to go north on the D1075 via Grenoble. It takes you over the Col de la Croix Haute but that is not in the least fearsome or forbidding. If you have time in hand then Camping Belle Roche at Lalley near the top of the pass is a delightful site - cool, green and refreshing after the hot barren lands around the Gorge du Verdon.
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