"Don't miss" places in the south of France
Any suggestions for "don't miss" places in the south of France? We are driving thru the Loire Valley and then on to Provence. We have a few extra days...any suggestions would be appreciated.
Joan
Holbrook 8/21/09
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Joan, when we visited Provence, we went to Le Pont du Gard, not to far from Avignon and Arles it was something my husband really wanted to see. It is a old roman aqueduc build 50 ad, it is also a Unesco world heritage site, i did not know anything about it, but i am sure glad we went, it was beautiful.
There are so many. Vaison La Romaine, Sablet, Rouission, Arles, Avignon, Orange, Seguret, vineyards, markets, wineries, Il Sur la Sorge (sp) is fantastic!
In reality, it really depends on what you love. Rick's Provence book will provide an overview from which you couldpick the things that you find exciting. I do agree that Pont de Gard is a must see!
I would agree with the previous posters about Pont du Gard. I would add Le Baux to "can't miss" sites in Provence. But to me the best thing about visiting Provence are not so much sites but the atmosphere. For example, I enjoyed watching the locals play boules late in the day in Arles. Eating lunch in a leafy square in Arles was another highlight. Wandering through the weekly market in Vaison la Romaine was another "can't miss." Rick Steve's recommends a drive through the southern Cote du Rhone that was fantastic.
Martin, Sue, and Dean - Thanks for your suggestions. I have Rick's guidebook for France, but wanted to see what others loved too. I can't wait!!
Joan, Pont du Gard is spectacular. A tip while there, though. Avoid the cheesy cafeteria/fast food available there. My wife and I left Arles on market day, stocked up on picnic supplies, then had a spectacular picnic in the shadow of the aquaduct sipping wine and watching the day pass by. Many of the other visitors were commenting that we "were doing it right" after seeing our setup. There is some pretty good hiking around the aquaduct, too.
Darren
Definitely Carcasonne.
Also agree with Pont du Gard, and Avignon.
Eze.
Isle sur la Sorgue, Rousillion,Les Baux, while I really love Carcasonne medieval ramparts is amazing, within the gates however it is mostly souvenir stalls.
I second Dean's ideas. I would add Cassis, wonderful town on the Med.
And then there is Aigues Mortes, which was a departures point for Crusaders, lo, these many years ago.
On our RS tour of western France in 2000, we made a lunch stop in Aigue Morte (sp). It is a beautiful, small walled city with plenty to do for an overnight stay.
Pont du gard. Also, Tourrettes sur loup.
nice, eze, cassis (we fell in love this little fishing town), Arles, Avingon, Pont Du Gard, and if you have the time its a bit futher but montpellier is Amazing.
Vaison La Romain -- check out the market day...held every Tuesday since the 1500's or so!!
A litte farther, and maybe not strickly South of France - Marseille, Peznas, and Caux!!! All fabulous.
Thanks so much to everyone for your replies!!! It's a good thing we decided to do a month in France. As it is I think we'll run out of time before we see every place I want to visit.
Joan.. We really liked the Var. It is just a few hours east of Isle-sur le- Sorgue. This area is full of great little villages like Cotignac.It is south of the Gorges of Verdun.