I am fairly new to Slow Travel but have traveled in France quite a bit over the past decade. Last October I stayed outside of Menerbes for one week with friends, visiting a town or two during the day, enjoying markets and lunch out, returning to cook dinners at our gite for dinner. That week of our trip was relaxing and lovely. This October I am traveling solo, will have a car in Provence, but prefer staying in a small town so that I can walk to dinner some of the evenings to enjoy dinner. I am not comfortable driving after dark and also would enjoy wine with dinner. I would appreciate some town advice, having looked at the accommodations in Bonnieux, Menerbes, and Goult, all of which appeal to me in size and location. Kathy’s place in Bonnieux is booked the first full week when I will be there or I would have immmediately booked there. There are a few places in each of the three towns still available with reasonable flights of stairs and easy walks to restaurants. Kathy mentioned that 2 restaurants in Bonnieux recently closed. As each town is appealing, what would you recommend based on a few enjoyable restaurants for evening meals in each? Cost is unimportant but rather good ambience and good regional food.
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Bonnieux is a good choice but check on the remaining restaurants. There was a recent thread about Bonnieux.
Several years ago we based in Goult and liked the town. I remember only a few restaurants and a nice cafe.
What about a larger town like Aix, Avignon or Arles?
Bonnieux and St. Remy in May
Hi, My husband and I will be in Bonnieux and St. Remy in early for 4 nights each next month. Chose both towns based on mentions on this site, thank you! Can't wait to see which i like better (if i even want to choose). Would love to get some dining recommendations for either area. I found a...
www.sloweurope.com
Several years ago we based in Goult and liked the town. I remember only a few restaurants and a nice cafe.
What about a larger town like Aix, Avignon or Arles?
We just got back from Bonnieux; we stayed at the Clos de Buis which is right in town. It's more vertical than Goult or Menerbes. But we ate in 4 different places the 4 nights we were there, all excellent restaurants. If I were going solo I might also consider St. Remy which is bigger and has more cafes/shopping. More tourists though. Bonnieux is very quiet and relaxing. Depends what you want!
I really appreciate the feedback. I’m arriving initially in Paris and will then train to Avignon or more likely Aix where I will spend a couple of days before renting a car. I have spent several days in St Remy before and enjoyed it, but I like the idea this trip of spending a week in one of the smaller towns. I did that 2 years ago in Tuscany (San Quirico) and really liked the slow pace, going to the same spot for coffee and pastries in the morning and sitting at the square having a glass of wine in the evening before dinner. I can travel as little or much as I want during the days with some market visits or shopping. I think a few good restaurants would be fine in any of the towns. Aspalek, you mention Bonnieux being more vertical. I haven’t thought that it might be a little more difficult to navigate the town on foot there, and will look into that. Thanks for the replies.
After looking carefully at Kathy’s information to other travelers, especially in regard to terrain and many recommended restaurants, coffee shop, market, ambiance of village, etc, I have decided to stay in Bonnieux. I will stay in Aix for 2 days then rent a car for my week in Bonnieux. I have found an Air B&B which is a comfortable walk to restaurants, coffee shop, etc.that fits my needs in terms of comfort and ambiance, and is highly recommended. The fairly close proximity to Kathy’s place (not available) and the nearby Clos de Buis helped me feel comfortable with the location. I couldn’t be happier with this choice, but needed the input I got to make this decision. Thanks Pauline for recommending threads regarding Bonnieux!