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Planning a trip to Provence in spring 2007. Train from Paris to Aix to pick up rental car. Where would be a good base for 5 day exploration of the region? Want a smaller town than Aix if possible with a place that has parking.

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Did you decide to take the train to Aix for a particular reason? If not, going to Avignon would make you more centrally located for exploring western Provence. What do you especially want to see?

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You are probably right - the car rental place is located at the train station in Aix so I thought it would be really convenient. Looks like we would spend most of our time in NE/E Provence. We are not yet locked into where we train into and pick up car. Investigating the possibilities...have traveled extensively in Italy but France is totally new to us. Thanks for your reply.

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There are car rental companies located at the Avignon TGV station too. FYI.

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NE / E Provence is the Cote d%26#39;azur area (Nice/Canne). Aix is really western Provence, but is very good for seeing the Luberon, perched towns, Chateauneuf de Pape, Arle, Avignon. We spent a week in Ansouis, a perched village north of Aix, and six nights in a perched village north of Nice. Five nights is enough for one or the other areas, but not both (You would be really rushed). If you want to see Peter Mayles %26quot;Provence%26quot;, then the Aix/Luberon is area is the pick.

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Have you considered the area arround Isle sur la Sorgue.

We are really well situated for all the hilltop towns of the Luberon, 35 mins to St Remy and Les Beaux and 35 mins to the wine area of Gigondas and Chateauneuf du Pape.We are also only 40 mins by road to Aix.

Hope you enjoy your trip in 2007

Escargot

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Have you thought about renting a Gite (cottage) rather than staying in a hotel? Easy parking, no city traffic.

www.cheznous.co.uk has all sorts of Gites etc and you book directly with the owners.

On Avignon the Mercure is centrally located with a secure underground car park a very short walk away. We have never stayed there but have always thought how conveniently located it is.

For a more up market stay La Mirande is around the corner behind the Palais de Papes and is served by the same car park.

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Carol

Take a look at hotels and B%26amp;Bs featured on this site in the Luberon. There are lots of places centrally placed which would enable you to explore Provence.

Rgds

Wilko

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