Hello,
My husband and I are going to be visiting just outside of Marseille from September 20th to 28th. We are planning to visit Marseille, Aix and not sure where else. Any suggestions on where we should visit would be great. Money is a little tight so any tips would be great.
Does anyone know if there are any festivals or events going on this time. I have read alot of reviews and it seems like we just miss them. I have also read alot of the postings on where to eat, but not too many on shopping. I%26#39;m a shopper lol, so any little shops I should stop at would be great. Plus we love to see historical sites while we are there any suggestions would be great!
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There is so much to see in Provence it is difficult to know where to start without just a little more information.
Will you have a car - essential if you are really going to see Provence.
Appart from shopping and historical sites do you have anyother interests eg wine?
The weekly markets in Provence are almost mini festivals in themselves.
Given your stated interests I would certainly take in Arles for shopping, history and if you visit on a Saturday the street market.
Avignon has some good shopping as well as the Palais de Papes for the historical bit.
A couple of suggestions to start with but how you propose to get around Provence will determine your itineray.
Happy planning and welcome to the forum.
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You will find a mine of the information you are seeking in Lonely Planet Guide to Provence. We used it to plan our first weeklong trip to Provence in June this year.It was money well spent.
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Definitely hire a car. If you like history although Nimes is in the Camargue, it is not very far from Marseille, and it has a famous Roman ampitheatre (arènes) and the famous Maison Carré, also Roman. There is also the Pont du Gard, a huge Roman viaduct, which is a must see if you are into things ancient. Geographical features are the Vallon Pont d%26#39;Arc on the Ardèche and the Cascades de Sautadethttp://www.gard-provencal.com/nature/sautadet.htm which I discovered two weeks ago having seen them on a postcard in the medieval town of Barjac. There is also the %26#39;Aven d%26#39;Orgnac;%26#39; udnerground caves with amazinng stalactites and stalagmites with witty guides to show you around (I had the French guide but I believe the ones in English are also good)http://www.france4families.com/Provence/RegionsProvenceCaves.htm St Tropez is obviously famous and is great for people watching. The port is actually very pretty with lovely (expensive) shops and nice, not necessarily too expensive restaurants. I also like Antibes/Juan les Pins which has an %26#39;old feel%26#39; because of the old fortifications http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Antibes and Grasse, the home of %26#39;parfumiers%26#39; and St Paul de Vence. Nice is also worth a visit. Cosmopolitan, vibrant and great shopping. Not to mention lots of medieval villages. You will love it!
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I wouldn%26#39;t miss:
St Remy(Wednesday for the market)/Les Baux/Glanum/monastery of St Paul de Mausole
l%26#39;Isle sur la Sorgue(Sunday for the market)/Fontaine de Vaucluse
The Luberon villages esp Roussillon for the ochre cliffs and general picturesqness, and Apt which is near them for l%26#39;Intramuros restaurant.
Arles for the Roman ruins, the Camargue and the van Gogh connections and nearby Tarascon for the great castle on the Rhone
Cassis for the beach, the cliffs, the great fish restos and the walk up to the top of the calanque Port Miou. And great shops for gifts.
Hyeres for the old town, the ruined castle, the restaurants, the gardens round the villa Noailles and the trip down the Giens peninsula to get the boat to Porquerolles.
Wouldn%26#39;t actually spend time visiting Marseille: too much else I would rather do!
To save money take some plastic cutlery and buy cheese and bread and fruit from delis/markets for lunch and eat out in the evening. Don%26#39;t have breakfast in the hotel: buy a cafe-croissant in the bar that has all the old guys in it. Bar le Port in Cassis, the bar opposite the bus stop in Apt. Restaurants off the main drag are usually better value for money: the Bonaparte in rue Bonaparte in Cassis, for example. Decide what you want to splash on before you go, and economise on everything else.
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Thanks for all of the great advice!!
We are looking in getting a car, but might take a bus tour too. We are just going to take things as they go.
Thanks again!
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