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Back in Time to Villeneuve les Avignon

Published/Revised September 26, 2014 By This post may contain promotional and affiliate links. EuropeUpClose may receive commissions for purchases made through links in this post. Please read our disclosure for more info.

Peppered with gorgeous towns, lush vineyards and sweeping rural scenes, Provence remains one of France’s most sought after getaways. While soaking it all up through the window of a romantic TGV train remains an alluring option, we decided to hit the road and satiate our wanderlust in a hired black Volvo. While it wasn’t quite a DeLorean, it took us through Provence, and six centuries back in time ... Read Full Article

“Sur le pont d’Avignon”, France

Published/Revised June 14, 2014 By This post may contain promotional and affiliate links. EuropeUpClose may receive commissions for purchases made through links in this post. Please read our disclosure for more info.

I first remember hearing the song “Sur le pont d’Avignon,” during my grade school French class.  After I announced that I would be majoring in French in college, my dad, a professional musician who’s only contact with French has been through music, would jokingly begin most phone conversations by singing “Sur le pont d’Avignon” (or if he was feeling really motivated, “La fleur que tu m’avais ... Read Full Article

Wine Villages of the Southern Rhône

Published/Revised June 14, 2014 By This post may contain promotional and affiliate links. EuropeUpClose may receive commissions for purchases made through links in this post. Please read our disclosure for more info.

In the southern Rhône River valley, low, twisted grapevines cover the rocky countryside, producing some great wines. John and I have tasted quite a few Côtes du Rhône during our wanderings between the Alps and the Mediterranean, and we hope for many more. The high-speed train whisks us from Paris to Avignon, where we pick up a rental car and drive to our home base, Hôtel Restaurant Les Florets, ... Read Full Article

Exploring Provence for the First Time

Published/Revised November 6, 2008 By This post may contain promotional and affiliate links. EuropeUpClose may receive commissions for purchases made through links in this post. Please read our disclosure for more info.

Follow Linda and Dave Beach's story about their first trip to Provence: While we have been to France several times, neither my husband Dave, nor I had been to Provence, so it was new territory for both of us. We decided to rent a house for a week in the small village of Bonnieux and our subsequent explorations from there covered only approximately 50 kilometers and only included small ... Read Full Article

Shop the Markets of Provence and the Cote d’Azur

Published/Revised May 21, 2015 By This post may contain promotional and affiliate links. EuropeUpClose may receive commissions for purchases made through links in this post. Please read our disclosure for more info.

When in Provence, checking out the many street markets is a must. While in France we build our sightseeing around the markets. We get to the town early, visit the market and spend the rest of the day visiting the sights. The vendors at these markets are friendly and most will speak at least a little English. If not, you can use hand gestures to let them know what you want and how much. It ... Read Full Article

Vacation in Avignon, France: Tourism Sights, Hotels and More

Published/Revised June 14, 2014 By This post may contain promotional and affiliate links. EuropeUpClose may receive commissions for purchases made through links in this post. Please read our disclosure for more info.

The spectacular city of Avignon is an essential stop in Provence. Thirty-nine towers and seven gates punctuate ramparts surrounding the city. From the top of the ramparts you can understand why the site was chosen for a fort: Avignon stands high above the immense plains of the Rhône River and is the strategic point of the whole valley. Within Avignon, you will find a cultural treasure-trove ... Read Full Article