Holiday in Provence (Aix en Provence)?

Question

I am thinking of going to Provence this summer with my husband and our one year old.

We would like to stay somewhere that is a little inland but where we still have easy access to the coast. Somewhere with some nice towns and villages nearby to 'potter' around.

As our son is so young we won't be doing an extensive amount of sightseeing and activites.

Any recommendations? What is Aix in Provence like - would this fit the bill?

Thanks!

Answer 1

Stay in a small traditional village, like saint cézaire sur siagne!! It's very pretty, and you can easily go to Nice or Cannes from there.

Answer 2

Provence is lovely, but if you want a typical Mediterranean holiday with less tourists and for much less money check out mainland Greece instead. It's Provence like it was 40 years ago - or like it was before hordes of tourists "discovered" the place, bought up all the stone cottages and created bed and breakfasts for their friends...Childfriendly AND safe.

Answer 3

Around Aix-en-Provence, you can find lovely B&B, in the middle of nature.

Aix en provence is a beautiful city, very pleasant to wander about: you can mix window-shopping, walks, museums, and fine-cuisine restaurants

aix-en-provence is a posh city, some even say it's paris in the middle of provence (but aix is less big than paris, and much more sunny!)

From Aix en provence, you can reach the coast in 20/30 minutes: beaches from marseille to nice are quite further but much nicer than beaches around marseille

edit, to richard: castellane is too far away from the sea! but yes the area is wonderful, if you like walking! nature is almost untamed and the site is great

and beaches around cannes are too much crowded according to me, but cannes and monaco of course, are lovely cities

Answer 4

I recommend going a little further along and stopping in the beautiful area around Castleane  ( sorrow about spelling)north of Grasse. Follow the N85 (Route Napoleon) and it is on that road. The town is stunning and is the gateway to the canyons of Verdon. If you don't know about these canyon's check them out on the internet. They are Europes answer to the Grand Canyon but much prettier. You could spend a week exploring them by car, foot and pedalo. The town is easily accessible to the coast with Cannes being the easiest place to reach straight down the N85 plus you could head to Monaco for a great day out......have a great time. If you are looking for some where to stay search www.ownersdirect.com or www.holiday-rentals.com for a villa.

Answer 5

we thought frejus was gr8!our little ones loved camping..so keycamp was a good option..(pins parasol campsite)campsite was quiet and ideal for young families..close villages st raphael,ect.cheap too..