Relaxing vacation in Southern France

Hi

We are planning our late summer vacation in Septmember and are thinking of heading to France after having visited Italy, Spain and Greece the past couple times.

We%26#39;re fairly open at this point and would love to hear your ideas and suggestions.

Southern France sounded lovely and we are considering Provence but not sure if 3-4 weeks there would be too long. We are a family with 2 kids who are 2.5 and 2 months old so a relaxing farmhouse/ villa/apartment type vacation thats not too $$ in a scenic town/village where we can shop at the local markets and cook some meals, visit some good place in the day, lounge at a vista, park, beach or swimming pool, explore local historical sights, sit at cafes reading/people watching, explore the woods or water with kids etc. We%26#39;d like to spend a week at each location and then go to a new location.

We prefer not to drive and use public transportation but can rent a car if needed.

Provence sounded nice with a mix of inland and sea but other ideas are most welcome. Looking forward to hearing your thoughts.

Thanks!

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Sounds like a perfect trip but to really explore Western Provence you will need a car. Since you will be there for 3-4 weeks you should look into doing a lease/purchase instead of a rental. Check out Kemwel and AutoEurope, we have been using them for years

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Another alternative could be to find a villa in / just outside a large village /small town that has bikes. You could then maybe arrange with the owners that they pick you up from the airport / take a taxi and then explore the area by bike? I have come across properties that have bikes on several on the rental sides, so something to consider.

I think Provence will be just the right place for you by the sounds of it!

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Thanks for the tips!

Any suggestions on 3-4 villages we should consider staying at in Provence?

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Also any suggestions on whether Western or Southern (costal) Provence is a better option ?

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Virtually every person who loves Provence has his or her favorite/best place to stay. Since I am an AlpillesGal, mine is Maussane-les-Alpilles, a beautiful Provencal village that sits smack dab in the midst of the Alpilles, a craggy chain of stunning limestone hills. Surrounded by vinyards and groves of olive trees that produce what some consider to be some of Farnce%26#39;s finest olive oil, it is a wonderful place to use as a base for exploring virtually all of Western Provence.

As to whether 3-4 weeks would be too long a time in Provence, trust me, it%26#39;s not - we%26#39;re off for our monthlong stay in 45 days, and will begin the countdown to next year%26#39;s departure date on the day we get home.

If you do decide to rent, you should know that the vast majority of rental properties are available by the week only, and that the rental period begins on Saturday.

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Thanks for all the great inputs!

I have been trying to find an apartment villa for rent between Aug 29-Sept 12 and not having much luck.

Looking for a place that our 3 yr old would enjoy as well, maybe a farmhouse with a swimming pool if thats available.

I%26#39;ve looked at the Maussane Alpilles and Gites page.

Any suggestions on places we could try to rent?

Prferably close to maussane so we dont have to rent a car.

Thanks!