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South of France in October?

(20 Posts)
Aveline Fri 07-Feb-25 10:17:46

Any suggestions as to a good place to stay in the South of France in October? We'd like somewhere relatively quiet but with places to amble about followed by scenic places for coffees/lunches. Ideally a good quality hotel with beautiful grounds, possibly a sea view.
Are we being unrealistic?

Aveline Fri 07-Feb-25 13:34:46

All sorted after session with excellent travel agent. Looking forward to it now.

escaped Fri 07-Feb-25 14:29:34

I'm being very nosey -- jealous--! Where are you going?
It's one of my favourite places.
For a special occasion I was going to suggest Château de Berne on a vineyard amongst olive groves. It's beautiful, though a little distance from the sea.
If you like gardens, a visit to the Villa and Gardens Ephrussi de Rothschild is a must.
Have a wonderful time!

Aveline Fri 07-Feb-25 14:47:22

Have settled on Aix en Provence. Beautiful hotel booked too.
I've always just booked holidays myself but this time needed more specialised info, knowledge and experience. The travel agent was recommended and, after this morning's experience, certainly lived up to it.

escaped Fri 07-Feb-25 15:05:41

Ooo super. Cézanne awaits you!

escaped Fri 07-Feb-25 15:05:52

🍷

Aveline Fri 07-Feb-25 15:39:24

Cheers!

Claremont Fri 07-Feb-25 15:53:26

Aix is lovely in autumn- are you driving down? We will be in Menton about the same time.

escaped Fri 07-Feb-25 16:10:14

Is Menton the last train stop before Monaco Claremont. Something to do with a lemon festival I believe?

Claremont Fri 07-Feb-25 16:11:36

Yes. We have never stayed at that end. Can't remember when the lemon festival is.

Aveline Fri 07-Feb-25 17:35:24

No we're not driving. Just plan to relax and wander about and generally just enjoy the place. We did think about Menton but settled on Aix as we'd always meant to go back after a day trip there.

Claremont Fri 07-Feb-25 17:39:04

We love driving down, with a couple of stops each way, Laon, Reims, Troyes, Langres, Dijon or Beaune. For us it is part of the joy of going down to South of France. Train would be great too.

escaped Fri 07-Feb-25 18:06:31

Reims - love it.
The Chagall stained glass in the cathedral and the champagne houses.
Beaune - nice.
Hospices visit and of course Burgundy wine tours.
Dijon - not so keen. Don't know the others.

The thing is Claremont, you're almost on the doorstep, whereas many of us are many miles away, so flying is the obvious choice going to the South of France.
Though I am feeling very virtuous that my Brittany sailings are all on the new Hybrid LNG ferries this year!

escaped Fri 07-Feb-25 18:13:15

Aveline there's a nice restaurant/brasserie/café called Les Deux Garçons in Aix-en-Provence. We sat outside over a lengthy lunch - but watch out, I got stung by a wasp! It's in the main street. All the cool people went there- like Piaff, Belmondo, Cocteau, Picasso to name a few.
Sorry, all I'm talking about on this thread involves food and drink.

Aveline Fri 07-Feb-25 19:22:34

Great info escaped. Sounds like an ideal place for us. Looking forward to the people watching.

J52 Fri 07-Feb-25 20:06:35

These posts are stirring my memories, for many years we spent the summer holidays travelling throughout France. Not been back since Covid cancelled our trip to Arles.
We’ll be in Nice in Sept/Oct. flying this time, but hope to explore by train.
Have a great time in Aix.

Claremont Fri 07-Feb-25 20:40:37

We travel to the South of France from the UK- have done for many many years. Troyes if just wonderful.

CanadianGran Fri 07-Feb-25 21:18:33

We spent a blissful 4 days in Bandol at the end of a busy touring holiday. We parked our car and didn't use it at all, just wandered the town and lounged by the beach.

You are all so lucky that it is so close to you; a trip to anywhere is Europe is not easy for us over the pond.

loopyloo Sat 08-Feb-25 08:42:32

Green with envy....

J52 Sat 08-Feb-25 09:51:00

CanadianGran

We spent a blissful 4 days in Bandol at the end of a busy touring holiday. We parked our car and didn't use it at all, just wandered the town and lounged by the beach.

You are all so lucky that it is so close to you; a trip to anywhere is Europe is not easy for us over the pond.

But you have lovely Canada to explore. 😊