Suggestions for B&B/ small hotels for 2 weeks in Provence

[JillB]

I am really struggling trying to find the perfect accomodations for our anniversary trip next May to Provence. We want to spend 5 night in Avignon before moving to our base near Bonnieux for a week. My husband really is intrigued by Avignon, I always dreamed it’d be Aix but in looking at what we want to see and logistically (train to Paris from Avignon for next leg), I think Avignon is geographically the right location. However I just can seem to find the right place - it would be early May - given the rash of heat waves, slightly concerned about having AC and prefer a walk-in shower. I am also considering St. Remy but not sure of crowds early May.

25 years ago I planned our honeymoon stay to Gaiole in Chianti via the original slowtravel.com site, now all these years later, endless searching through Airbnb and Vrbo doesn’t really cut it - I’m hoping this group might have some great recs on accomodations for us. The other issue I am running into is it seems many small hotels haven’t yet opened up blocks to reserve online. We’ll be coming from Nice and will have a car at this point of trip. We do love vineyard stays but think it might be nice to stay in a town this leg since we’ll be at a mas for a week in the Luberon next. Appreciate the suggestions.

 

[Pauline]

I remember someone renting an apartment in Avignon that was owned by Bob and Alison who run a Tuscany/Umbria agency. We met them years ago. But I can’t find the thread about this. Anyone remember?

Have you searched this forum and the France Trip Reports forum for Avignon? You might find some suggestions.

St Remy is much smaller than Avignon so can’t get that crowded, can it? In 2014 we stayed 1 night at a B&B in St Remy which was very nice. It is on Booking.com.

Mas'Xime, Saint-Rémy-de-Provence

 

[Cameron]

I remember someone renting an apartment in Avignon that was owned by Bob and Alison who run a Tuscany/Umbria agency. We met them years ago. But I can’t find the thread about this. Anyone remember?

Have you searched this forum and the France Trip Reports forum for Avignon? You might find some suggestions.

St Remy is much smaller than Avignon so can’t get that crowded, can it? In 2014 we stayed 1 night at a B&B in St Remy which was very nice. It is on Booking.com.

Mas'Xime, Saint-Rémy-de-Provence

I rented Bob and Allison's one-bedroom in Avignon in 2019 before I did the Walking Week with European Experiences in Bonnieux. It was fabulous! The only issue -- make sure you get the non-slip tub mat out of the drawer and put it in the bottom of the tub/shower. Everything else was perfect! I would definitely stay there again. Bob's apartment I have his email, but can't post it publicly.
Avignon is one of my favorite places. After my solo trip in 2019, I went there with friends last year, but we booked a 3-bedroom place. The cafes and restaurants are fabulous. You can take the regional train to many villages in the area. For example, Arles is 15 minutes on the regional train with the station just outside the old town gates. There's also the TGV station for going the distance....in 2025, my friends and I took it direct to CDG airport. The year I was solo, I took the TGV from CDG to Avignon. There are a few museums there that I really enjoyed. The Tourist Information Office is a "must visit" to find out about special events. I happened to be there when there was a light show within the courtyard of the Palais.

 

[Cameron]

Now, I'm going to be critical of Aix, so don't throw rocks at me. We went there for one night last year because one friend had fond memories of Aix. When I stayed in Aix, probably 2006, with my late husband, we rented a cottage inside the property walls of an owner's big home. We had a car, so went out and about, so not concentrated on Aix. Last year, I found the restaurants in Aix to all be too similar, mostly Italian. Yes, there are some nuggets (the market, the new museum, etc.) there, but for several days, I much prefer the ambiance of Avignon.

Avignon has a covered market where I shopped for all my fresh food. There are several Michelin restaurants in Avignon.

Our favorite restaurant is across the river -- take the pedestrian/bike ferry for the short trip to dine at Restaurant Bercail. It's on Barthelasse Island. Make a reservation to get a table right by the river.

Drive over to the "new" Avignon, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Villeneuve-lès-Avignon
to visit the abbey and the castle. There are cute art galleries on the quaint street just out one gate of the abbey.

Avignon Restaurants:

https://www.restaurant-lebercail.fr

https://www.bibendumavignon.fr

https://www.restaurantle26avignon.fr

https://lepicerie-de-ginette-restaurant-avignon.metro.rest/?lang=en

https://maisonviolette.com

http://www.restaurant-agape-avignon.com/fr/

https://www.restaurantfoudefafa.com

https://www.cour-honneur.com

https://www.carredupalais.fr

https://restaurantlessentiel.com

https://www.pollen-restaurant.fr

https://legoutdujour84.com

https://www.la-mirande.fr/fr/restaurant-avignon-provence.html

By car:
Numero 75
http://www.numero-75.com/
Avenio
https://bistrot-avenio.fr/

 

[dayhiker]

A few years ago we stayed 9 nights in St Remy, at Hotel du Soleil. In addition to hotel rooms, they have 2 or 3 good-sized apartments. We had a patio apartment with kitchen & living room on ground floor, and bedroom & bath on upper floor. Per website, all rooms (hotel and apartment) have walk-in showers. We even had daily cleaning and towel service for the apartment. Parking was tight but sufficient. Breakfast is offered for extra cost, but since we had the kitchen we opted to shop for our own breakfast makings. Grocery, restaurants, stores, laundry were all within reasonable walking distance. We really enjoyed our stay in the area, with day trips all around. It isn't all that far from either Avignon or Aix. We actually stayed in Aix for a week before moving to St Remy. Not much to do within Aix but we enjoyed the restaurants and taking our day trips.

 

[Pauline]

I rented Bob and Allison's one-bedroom in Avignon in 2019 before I did the Walking Week with European Experiences in Bonnieux.

I should have remembered it was you who rented it! Their Tuscany/Umbria agency is Summer’s Leases but the website is not working so perhaps they have closed. Looks like a lovely apartment!

 

[Cameron]

I should have remembered it was you who rented it! Their Tuscany/Umbria agency is Summer’s Leases but the website is not working so perhaps they have closed. Looks like a lovely apartment!

Yes, you and Steve came to Bonnieux and we got together at Kathy's and did a few walks. I think it was also 2019 when I saw ya'll during my Return to the Cotswolds trip in Chipping Campden. My back is so bad now (degenerative discs in my lumbar), that my walks up and down hills are over.

 

[Pauline]

My big walks are over too. I miss those hiking days.

 

[Shyguy]

Avignon’s old town seems like the best fit, especially with the Paris train afterward. Early May should be quieter but I would confirm AC and a walk-in shower with the hotel.