After researching on line and filling a Michelin map with arrow stickies of towns that looked interesting, we set out on a lavender field adventure in mid July, lavender blooming season in Provence. Using secondary roads, clearly detailed on the map but often seeming like farmer's driveways, we wondered the rolling hills from Lyon south toward Avignon and Apt. The hills outside Monttelimar held our first lavender field sighting. Your senses are bombarded - the sight of the almost irredescent mauve mounds undulating up and down like huge purple caterpillars, the pungent smell, and the surprizing sound of a million bees hovering over row after row. A childhood dream came true as I walked between the rows down to the end of the field and back.

"La Cremaillere" Hotel in Dieulefit was home that night, comfortable, friendly and quiet. A very French Breakfast was marvelously presented in the courtyard.

La Poet Laval, a medieval town perched on a hill close by was a wonderful surprise. If we had booked ahead we might have enjoyed a night inside the walls of this amazing town. As we wandered the cobblestone alleys, a harpist practiced tunes to be played at the evening concert in the sanctuary of the church.

Winding our way toward Grignan castle (not to be missed) we must have taken 50 pictures of lavender fields, each one more beautiful than the last. After driving up, over, and around the hill country, we arrived at Sault, the lavender capital and beginning of 'the lavender trail'. Just ask someone in town and they will direct you to the parking lot and you can stroll the fields or drive along the road.

After purchasing an orginal oil painting of, yes, lavender, we drove on toward Gordes. Approaching from the south, the town is something out of a Hollywood movie set. Breathtaking. Filled with innumerable restaurants but short on hotels, we would have been advised to have booked ahead. Supper at "Le Provincal" on the square was wonderful and they had the best profiterole in all the land! (we were conducting a taste test of these chocolate covered cream puffs every chance we had). Getting up early the next morning, we enjoyed a frinedly conversation along with a crepe and coffee with the creperie owner on the main street just below the fruit stand.

Off we went to Avignon, leaving behind the tranquility of Provence, being confident that God had put an extra bit of His love in to this part of His creation.

I have the good fortune of having a sister living in one of the world's most wonderful cities - Paris. For my 2005 visit, I timed going over to correspond with the Toussaint Holiday (end of October/ first of November)when schoolchildren in France are off for a week. For the holiday we decided to take a road trip and explore the Provence! We rented a wonderful vacation house in the beautiful town of Roussillon. Roussillon served as our home base for a week of exploring. Our 'holiday house' (as my 3 year old nephew Adam termed our temporary home) at the edge of town was perfectly situated. My sister located the house by running an internet search for vacation rentals. Fully equipped with 3 bedrooms, full bath, kitchen and beautiful patio w/ built-in brick grill accomodated the 5 of us quite perfectly. Dan, my beau-frere (French for brother-in-law) appreciated the grill since they currently live in center city Paris. Roussillon is a beautiful town and famous for its ochre cliffs and multihued buildings. We spent the week making daytrips to many of the regions attractions. The only problem we had was trying to figure out what to include in our brief 'taste' of Provence!

We have friends in St. Priest-en-Jarez and they suggested that we visit Nimes, France if we liked Roman ruins. THe ruins there are spectacular and we stayed at a hotel (where they train prospective hotel managers) on Rue John F Kennedy where they ironed the clothes in your closet while we were out at night for no extra charge and without a request.
We found out at the Jefferson/Napoleon exhibit at the NEw Orleans Museum of Art that Thomas Jefferson had a sketch drawn of some of the same Roman ruins we visited on one of his trips to Nimes. The hotel and city are delightful and we can't wait to return. Theere is a well presserved Roman aqueduct, too, that flowed into the city from Pont du Gard.

A great way to explore Provence is by car. That's what i just did with my girlfriend in july 2003. Our base was Avignon, and spent several days exploring different areas before leaving for the other Provence, the Cote D'azur. A car rental gave us all the freedom we desired during our trip, and eliminated most of the hassles created by tour groups, trains, busses. parking everywhere was easy. Avignon, is a big cosmopolitan city, but it was nice to see and walk within the old walled part for an evening or so. The most charming part of Provence though was the drives into the little villages, and the charming views along the way. Let me make a few suggestions based on my experience: 1. If you plan to stay in Avignon, try the Hotel Europe, and read my other review about Avignon Grand Hotel.
2. Avignon is a nice one evening stroll in the old part, and perhaps a quick check of the palais des papes in the morning.
3. Avoid Carpentras, even driving thru it. It is ugly, and completely uninspiring.
4. if you like hidden villages, you must check Crestet. it is on the way to Vaison-La-Romain, 3 Km before, and was so nice. It has a beautiful snack place at the top of the old chateau with the most outstanding views of Mont Ventoux and the valley. it has basically no tourists when we went except four from Denmark. The place makes great crepes! The village was recommended to us by a shop owner in the Village of Malancet, which is on the way to Vaison-la-Romaine. Malancet itself is nice and has its own charm. The shop owner was gracious enough to buy me stamps and drop my postcards for me the next morning.
5. Vaison-La-Romaine was nice, but was very crowded with tourists, like us!
6. For the most charming dirt road drive, you must make the drive from Crestet to Seguret; basically drive west from crestet to seguret, and follow the road signs. To say the views are stunning is an understatement. I can assure you that you will absolutely love Seguret.
It hugs the mountain, but does not fall! Trust me, Go there, and check the views. it is absolutely heavenly. The people are so nice. the stores are great. Both crestet and Seguret and the drive in between was one of our highlights!!
6. Aix-en-provence has more character than Avignon, in my beliefs. For a great cup of coffee and great people watching, go to the Cafe Rotonde, right near the famous fountain. The waitresses are very nice.
The old part of town is great for window shopping as well. at least a night or two in Aix is worth it.
7. if you like touristy stuff, go to Gordes, and Roussillon.
8. if you love street markets, which my girlfriend does, you must try the sunday or Thursday market days at Ile-sur-la-Sorgue. The town is charming too, and the market is great for everything, produce, souvenirs, paintings, food! the place is 20 minutes by car from Avignon, and is recommended!