- Avignon
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France
Take the earliest train that you can and pack a bottle of champagne, sandwiches and cakes for the journey. Drink the champagne after the Tunnel and before Paris and then sleep for an hour before you hit the Rhone Valley.
Remember you arrive at Avignon Central, not the TGV station so don’t try to hire a car from the wrong place. The Grand Hotel by the station is fine and the walk through the city gates and up to the Palace is easy and interesting. The café on Rue Saint Michel at the corner of Rue Paul Manivet opens early on Sundays and has the best coffee. Enjoy!
Take a Summer Eurostar direct to Avignon: When you arrive, do NOT join the massive queue of visitors fighting for a hire car, instead wander straight in to the town of Avignon until you reach the Palais des Papes.
Then stay in an ideal location next door at the beautiful and luxurious Hotel La Mirande (www.la-mirande.fr Tel +33 90 12 20 20).
Alternatively if you cannot face all Avignon’s action, jump on a train to Arles (20 minutes away, same station, frequent trains) and enjoy the peace of the Hotel Particulier ( www.hotel-particulier.com T+33 90 52 51 40).
Hotel de Blauvac - a wonderful 17th century building in a great location at a reasonable price.
You must try the athmospheric and much loved La Banasterie Guesthouse.
It is located slap bang in the centre of the maze like citadel, but on a quiet side street and with excellent restaurants within a one-minute walk.
Jean-Michel and Francoise make the ancient house terribly atmospheric with fairy lights and by lighting the stairs and halls by candlelight at night.
If you would like a home from home, with an authentic french atmosphere, I couldn’t recommend this place more highly!
Over the bridge gets you to Villeneuve-les-Avignon, which is quieter and more bearable than Avignon proper. It's also in the Gard rather than Vaucluse, so it's gutsy Languedoc rather than pretentious Provence.
There's a good campsite, bars and restaurants which are affordable. From there you can make raids on foot to the cultural quarters, and still get back for a quiet pastis.
Here's a good free place for parking in Avignon: in the centre of Avignon go across the Pont Daladier, and take the first right. Great free parking spaces by the river, and it's a perfect photo opportunity for the Avignon bridge.
Either walk back across the bridge for direct access to Avignon walled city, or walk down the river and get the free ferry across the river.
If you remember "Sur le pont", Hurry down to Avignon. A warm welcome there you'll find, plenty sights to fill your mind.
Relax at Hotel Maganeraie, after a rather busy day. This 15th century papal mansion has all mod cons you could imagine, wonderful food excellent wine and you'll want to return another time.
The benches at the SNCF station are hard and not at all comfortable to sleep on overnight.
Walk 200 yards into town and you'll find some charming, inexpensive and welcoming small hotels.
For travellers arriving in the south after a TGV journey - like flying while remaining on the ground - the Cloitre St Louis is a wonderful place to start a holiday. Rooftop pool, breakfast of good things in the courtyard and a choice between the stripped modernity of Jean Nouvel in the newish extension or more conventional rooms in the older part of this ancient, but luxurious hotel - all for far less than a comparable British hotel.
The charming yet modern La Banasterie is one of the most lovely hotels I have ever stayed in.
With only four rooms, chocolate presents for guests, and generous pastry breakfasts, you are bound to have an amazing stay.
The campsite on the southern end of the Isle de la Basthelasse has great views across the river to the old city. Worth an evening stroll even if you aren't camping there.
You must try the atmospheric and much-loved La Banasterie Guesthouse. It is located slap bang in the centre of the maze-like citadel, but on a quiet side street and with excellent restaurants within a one-minute walk.
Jean-Michel and Francoise make the ancient house terribly atmospheric, using fairy lights and illuminating the stairs and halls by candlelight at night. If you would like a home from home, with an authentic French atmosphere, I couldn’t recommend this place more highly!
The Cloitre St Louis is a very affordable four-star hotel located in a former 16th-century monastery.
The rooms are quiet, spacious and very well decorated in a modern minimalist style and the breakfasts keep you going all day.
The hotel was an ideal location for non-car users, being a stone's throw from Avignon Centre railway station (not Avignon TGV).
Hotel Cloitre St Louis
20 Rue Du Portail Boquier
Avignon, FR 84000
This is a two-star hotel near the centre of town. I think you'll be hard-pushed to find a better deal in St Rémy.
Avenue Fauconnet, 13210
tel: 04-90 92 09 28
map: tinyurl.com/23e8cj
Superbly equipped "naturiste" camping site.
Rather hidden, right down in a spectacular river valley in the South of France.
Choose to swim in the river Ceze, or in their two good-sized pools.
Very relaxed atmosphere, beautiful surroundings, immaculate facilities including sauna, cafe, bar, etc.
Outside, there's fantastic food in local village restaurants.
Come with your own tent, or rent a comfortably equipped woden beach-hut onsite from just 350 Euros/week.
It's really perfect for all families and kids!
But remember, it's a “camping naturiste”: there's one strict rule - no wearing clothes allowed on site. So you’ll have no laundry at all for a whole, lovely, lazy week!
www.chm-montalivet.com/Lagenese/index_fla.htm
Map (approximate location only): tinyurl.com/yr8sqx
A great value house to rent in the middle of a medieval village between Avignon and Nimes.
The village has 30 potters, vineyards and olive groves. Beautiful.
Cheaper in June than the campsite. Budget airlines 30 minutes away.
Next door to Uzes, the first duchy of France.
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