Provence hotel site inspections

Deluxe Room at Villa Gallici, Aix-en-Provence

Following our week in Paris, we took the TGV from Gare du Lyon down to the village of Avignon in the south of France. We picked up our Renault rental car from the train station and began our five day drive through the beautiful countryside of Provence. I especially loved driving the long country roads lined with trees on both sides.

We stayed at four hotels and visited one other during that period. I don't normally recommend so many short stays, but one purpose of the trip was to inspect hotels — so I took one for the team! I've posted my full site inspection report on FlyerTalk... but here's a quick summary.

You've got a basic choice when staying in the provinces. Do you want the kind of five-star luxury you can experience at city hotels in cities such as Paris? Or do you prefer something less formal and more authentic to the countryside, knowing that you'll likely have smaller rooms with less polished interiors ... and no Four Seasons bathrooms!

La Mirande was built in the 14th century as the palace of the Cardinal (who lived right next door to the Papal Palace). Privately owned, this is a quaint, charming and authentic Provençal hotel. We enjoyed our Grand Deluxe room whose window overlooked the gardens with a view of the Papal Palace.

La Coquillade is a true five star resort developed from a mid-19th century village. Some existing buildings were renovated with new construction that created additional guestrooms, spa, and restaurants. The resort has two large pools and rents bicycles for touring the countryside. Guestroom interiors are comfortable but minimalist.

La Bastide de Marie is an utterly delightful country house in the middle of 19 acres of vineyards. Rooms are quaint and authentic, and the food here is absolutely wonderful. We enjoyed their tasting meal so much!

Domaine de Manville began with an agricultural couples and adjacent 9 hole golf course. After the seven years it took to obtain the permissions and complete construction, a stunning resort has emerged with pool and 18 holes of golf. We really enjoyed our one-night stay in a spacious and beautiful Junior Suite.

Villa Gallici is located in the small city of Aix-en-Provence. A small and elegant hotel, it is walking distance from the center of town. Our Deluxe room was absolutely gorgeous if a bit small; I highly recommend booking a Junior Suite or higher category. If you're visiting a son or daughter who is studying French in Aix, this is the place to stay.

copyright (c) 2016 by Ourisman Travel LLC. All rights reserved. We provide Virtuoso and other Preferred Partner amenities as an affiliate of Brownell Travel. If you have comments on this column, or questions about booking travel, email me or visit my website.

Roussillon!

Roussillon (c) 2016 by David Ourisman, all rights reserved

The hilltop village of Roussillon was the highlight of our Sunday drive through Provence.

We began the day at La Mirande, an utterly charming small boutique property in the small city of Avignon (and a member of Virtuoso). Our arrival was an adventure in itself as we drove our full-size car through the narrow, crooked streets of this old city ... but once we arrived, the hotel staff parked our car and returned it the  front of the hotel the next morning, even before we checked out. We spent just one night here, but we were won over by the Provençal character of this small, individually owned hotel. It was like living in a house, not a hotel at all. It was originally built as the home of a Cardinal. Our room was spacious by European standards with cool, marble tiled floors, a bed comfy enough that I did not stir until 7:30 a.m. (rare for me), and a fall bathroom with everyone I could want — a step-in shower with good water pressure, a long vanity with two basins, WC, and even a soaking tub in the bedroom (that Claire enjoyed). After a great breakfast, we even met the owner who enlisted me as her ambassador ... which I'm happy to do for La Mirande.

Our morning drive began in Gorges, a hilltop village visited by many tourists. I can't imagine how crowded it must be in the height of the season, but we easily found parking at the base of the village and enjoyed a walk through the town. Drop into the tourist center to get a walking map.

But once we reached Roussillon and found parking right in a lot right in the center of the city, we knew we had found someplace special. I can't imagine where people find parking during busier times of the year, as parking was scarce. Right across the road from the parking lot was the scene pictured here — the red cliffs once mined for ochre. We bought tickets for le Sentier des ocres (the ochre footpath) and took the shorter loop which provided interesting views on a delightfully shaded path. Afterwards, we explored the town of Roussillon and saw its church, homes, shops, and art galleries.

Our final destination was La Coquillade, a recently opened Relais & Chateaux resort (in its second season) built around a small 1860 village. Our accommodation was in one of the original buildings, converted for use as as fully five star resort. The newer buildings blend in quite well, and guests have a choice of three restaurants. Our dinner last night at the Bistro was quite wonderful.

copyright  (c)  2016 by Ourisman Travel LLC.  All rights reserved. We provide Virtuoso and other Preferred Partner amenities as an affiliate of Brownell Travel. If you have comments on this column, or questions about booking travel, email me or visit my website.

Pont du Gard | the most amazing swimming hole

Pont du Gard, the most amazing swimming hole in the world

Planning to travel to France with your children next summer? Here's a highlight from a trip my kids enjoyed a few years ago. We spent the afternoon at the Pont du Gard, the most amazing swimming hole in the world. The Pont du Gard is an ancient Roman aqueduct (built in the first century A.D.) that crosses the Gardon River. Pack a picnic lunch and bring your bathing suits. You and your kids will enjoy hours of fun swimming under one of the best preserved artifacts of the Roman Empire.

I recommend staying in Avignon while visiting Provence, a picturesque town whose famous bridge, the Pont d'Avignon, goes halfway across the Rhone River. Visit as well the Palais des Papes, a UNESCO world heritage site and the seat of the Papacy during its exile from Rome during the 14th century. My daughter recommends the papal palace as the most interesting site she has toured in France; she was about 10 years older than in the picture above for that tour!

Other interesting sites in Provence? The Roman amphitheaters in Nimes and Orange. Contact your foreign travel consultant for expert advise planning family travel to France or dozens of different destinations around the world.

Pont du Gard (search here on Google)

copyright (c) 2012 by David Ourisman LLC. All rights reserved. If you have comments on this column, or questions about booking travel, email me or visit my website. .