Southern France / Alps
Mar 4th 2003, 6:02 am
#1
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Posts: n/a
Southern France / Alps
My fiance and I are staying in Provence for a few days in April, and
we want to go to another nearby area for a few more days after that.
Probably in the French alps or the area west of Provence. I was
hoping somebody could recommend a good place to stay (town or specific
hotel) as a "base of operations" for seeing the whole area. Thanks!
we want to go to another nearby area for a few more days after that.
Probably in the French alps or the area west of Provence. I was
hoping somebody could recommend a good place to stay (town or specific
hotel) as a "base of operations" for seeing the whole area. Thanks!
Mar 4th 2003, 6:36 am
#2
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Posts: n/a
Re: Southern France / Alps
jsberry wrote:
> My fiance and I are staying in Provence for a few days in April, and
> we want to go to another nearby area for a few more days after that.
> Probably in the French alps or the area west of Provence.
This is a bit catty, but since these are opposite directions, where do
you really want to go?!
If you want cities, Avignon and Aix-en-Provence immediately spring to
mind; otherwise, I would get hold of a Michelin Green guide which has
good maps of attractions, and pick what you like.
Bernard Higonnet
> My fiance and I are staying in Provence for a few days in April, and
> we want to go to another nearby area for a few more days after that.
> Probably in the French alps or the area west of Provence.
This is a bit catty, but since these are opposite directions, where do
you really want to go?!
If you want cities, Avignon and Aix-en-Provence immediately spring to
mind; otherwise, I would get hold of a Michelin Green guide which has
good maps of attractions, and pick what you like.
Bernard Higonnet
Mar 4th 2003, 6:54 am
#3
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Posts: n/a
Re: Southern France / Alps
[email protected] (jsberry) wrote in news:51431c0.0303041102.6e5f8fe7
@posting.google.com:
> My fiance and I are staying in Provence for a few days in April, and
> we want to go to another nearby area for a few more days after that.
> Probably in the French alps or the area west of Provence. I was
> hoping somebody could recommend a good place to stay (town or specific
> hotel) as a "base of operations" for seeing the whole area. Thanks!
Gap is not too far away.
Assuming you have a car, you can use it as a touring base
In April many of the nicer high passes will be closed still as some are
only passable after June. However there are some nice major roads to the
north (Route Napoleon to Grenoble) and the N94 that takes you towards
Briancon.
It's a very nice area. I explored in July, so you will see a very different
landscape to me.
Can't recommend a hotel in Gap as we only passed through.
--
[email protected]
BMW R1150GS
@posting.google.com:
> My fiance and I are staying in Provence for a few days in April, and
> we want to go to another nearby area for a few more days after that.
> Probably in the French alps or the area west of Provence. I was
> hoping somebody could recommend a good place to stay (town or specific
> hotel) as a "base of operations" for seeing the whole area. Thanks!
Gap is not too far away.
Assuming you have a car, you can use it as a touring base
In April many of the nicer high passes will be closed still as some are
only passable after June. However there are some nice major roads to the
north (Route Napoleon to Grenoble) and the N94 that takes you towards
Briancon.
It's a very nice area. I explored in July, so you will see a very different
landscape to me.
Can't recommend a hotel in Gap as we only passed through.
--
[email protected]
BMW R1150GS
Mar 4th 2003, 8:52 am
#4
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: Southern France / Alps
"jsberry" wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> My fiance and I are staying in Provence for a few days in April, and
> we want to go to another nearby area for a few more days after that.
> Probably in the French alps or the area west of Provence. I was
> hoping somebody could recommend a good place to stay (town or specific
> hotel) as a "base of operations" for seeing the whole area. Thanks!
If you're looking to the pyrenees and like prehistoric caves, I've got some
information on the area around Tarascon:
http://goeurope.about.com/library/weekly/aa020403a.htm
It's a little off the beaten track though.
james
news:[email protected]...
> My fiance and I are staying in Provence for a few days in April, and
> we want to go to another nearby area for a few more days after that.
> Probably in the French alps or the area west of Provence. I was
> hoping somebody could recommend a good place to stay (town or specific
> hotel) as a "base of operations" for seeing the whole area. Thanks!
If you're looking to the pyrenees and like prehistoric caves, I've got some
information on the area around Tarascon:
http://goeurope.about.com/library/weekly/aa020403a.htm
It's a little off the beaten track though.
james
Mar 4th 2003, 10:16 am
#5
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Posts: n/a
Re: Southern France / Alps
Bernard T Higonnet wrote in message news:...
> jsberry wrote:
> > My fiance and I are staying in Provence for a few days in April, and
> > we want to go to another nearby area for a few more days after that.
> > Probably in the French alps or the area west of Provence.
>
> This is a bit catty, but since these are opposite directions, where do
> you really want to go?!
Either!
> If you want cities, Avignon and Aix-en-Provence immediately spring to
> mind; otherwise, I would get hold of a Michelin Green guide which has
> good maps of attractions, and pick what you like.
Well I already plan to "do" Provence from a base in Gordes. We have
that half of the trip pretty much planned. The second half will be
Southwest France or the French Alps. I'm looking for insight into
either area and/or specific recommendations. Thanks!
> jsberry wrote:
> > My fiance and I are staying in Provence for a few days in April, and
> > we want to go to another nearby area for a few more days after that.
> > Probably in the French alps or the area west of Provence.
>
> This is a bit catty, but since these are opposite directions, where do
> you really want to go?!
Either!
> If you want cities, Avignon and Aix-en-Provence immediately spring to
> mind; otherwise, I would get hold of a Michelin Green guide which has
> good maps of attractions, and pick what you like.
Well I already plan to "do" Provence from a base in Gordes. We have
that half of the trip pretty much planned. The second half will be
Southwest France or the French Alps. I'm looking for insight into
either area and/or specific recommendations. Thanks!
Mar 4th 2003, 1:00 pm
#6
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: Southern France / Alps
[email protected] (jsberry) wrote in news:51431c0.0303041102.6e5f8fe7
@posting.google.com:
> My fiance and I are staying in Provence for a few days in April, and
> we want to go to another nearby area for a few more days after that.
> Probably in the French alps or the area west of Provence. I was
> hoping somebody could recommend a good place to stay (town or specific
> hotel) as a "base of operations" for seeing the whole area. Thanks!
The Dordogne is lovely and the food and wine are superb. Les Eyzies de
Tayac is but a small village and yet one can find at least 4 restaurants of
note including a (last I looked) 2 star Michelin.
History from Cro Magnon to Richard the Lion Heart everywhere in the
Dordogne.
@posting.google.com:
> My fiance and I are staying in Provence for a few days in April, and
> we want to go to another nearby area for a few more days after that.
> Probably in the French alps or the area west of Provence. I was
> hoping somebody could recommend a good place to stay (town or specific
> hotel) as a "base of operations" for seeing the whole area. Thanks!
The Dordogne is lovely and the food and wine are superb. Les Eyzies de
Tayac is but a small village and yet one can find at least 4 restaurants of
note including a (last I looked) 2 star Michelin.
History from Cro Magnon to Richard the Lion Heart everywhere in the
Dordogne.
Mar 4th 2003, 8:45 pm
#7
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: Southern France / Alps
We thoroughly enjoyed our few stays at Guillestre (about 30-40 NE from Gap) from
where we visited Risoul ski station, La Casse Deserte (fantastic geological
formations) on the Col d'Izoard road to Briancon, the Ecrins National Park (high
peaks and glaciers), the Alpine Garden (closed in April) at Col de Lauteret, but
fantastic scenery in this area and views of the Ecrins range from the north.
Enjoy - this area was the jewel of our 3 weeks touring
--
M Stewart
Milton Keynes, UK
jsberry wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> Bernard T Higonnet wrote in message
news:...
> > jsberry wrote:
> > > My fiance and I are staying in Provence for a few days in April, and
> > > we want to go to another nearby area for a few more days after that.
> > > Probably in the French alps or the area west of Provence.
> >
> > This is a bit catty, but since these are opposite directions, where do
> > you really want to go?!
> Either!
where we visited Risoul ski station, La Casse Deserte (fantastic geological
formations) on the Col d'Izoard road to Briancon, the Ecrins National Park (high
peaks and glaciers), the Alpine Garden (closed in April) at Col de Lauteret, but
fantastic scenery in this area and views of the Ecrins range from the north.
Enjoy - this area was the jewel of our 3 weeks touring
--
M Stewart
Milton Keynes, UK
jsberry wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> Bernard T Higonnet wrote in message
news:...
> > jsberry wrote:
> > > My fiance and I are staying in Provence for a few days in April, and
> > > we want to go to another nearby area for a few more days after that.
> > > Probably in the French alps or the area west of Provence.
> >
> > This is a bit catty, but since these are opposite directions, where do
> > you really want to go?!
> Either!
Mar 4th 2003, 8:49 pm
#8
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: Southern France / Alps
> The Dordogne is lovely and the food and wine are superb. Les Eyzies de
> Tayac is but a small village and yet one can find at least 4 restaurants
of
> note including a (last I looked) 2 star Michelin.
> History from Cro Magnon to Richard the Lion Heart everywhere in the
> Dordogne.
For a flavour buy a copy of "Three Rivers of France" by Freda White.
Take a look at:
http://www.limeuil-perigord.com/index1.htm
for a picture of where the Vezere and the Dordogne join at Limeuil (one of
our favourite spots).
Michael Forrest
> Tayac is but a small village and yet one can find at least 4 restaurants
of
> note including a (last I looked) 2 star Michelin.
> History from Cro Magnon to Richard the Lion Heart everywhere in the
> Dordogne.
For a flavour buy a copy of "Three Rivers of France" by Freda White.
Take a look at:
http://www.limeuil-perigord.com/index1.htm
for a picture of where the Vezere and the Dordogne join at Limeuil (one of
our favourite spots).
Michael Forrest
Mar 5th 2003, 2:05 am
#9
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: Southern France / Alps
[email protected] (jsberry) wrote in message news:...
> My fiance and I are staying in Provence for a few days in April, and
> we want to go to another nearby area for a few more days after that.
> Probably in the French alps or the area west of Provence. I was
> hoping somebody could recommend a good place to stay (town or specific
> hotel) as a "base of operations" for seeing the whole area. Thanks!
Annecy is lovely, beautiful canals, lake and mountains. I've also
really enjoyed Megeve in the French Alps.
If you want coastal resorts you can head over to the French Riviera. I
stayed in St Jean Cap Ferat and toured the cliff villages like St.
Paul de Vence. Then visited Nice and Monte Carlo.
These two sets of destinations are totally different so you'd need to
decide what you'd like to do.
Nancy
> My fiance and I are staying in Provence for a few days in April, and
> we want to go to another nearby area for a few more days after that.
> Probably in the French alps or the area west of Provence. I was
> hoping somebody could recommend a good place to stay (town or specific
> hotel) as a "base of operations" for seeing the whole area. Thanks!
Annecy is lovely, beautiful canals, lake and mountains. I've also
really enjoyed Megeve in the French Alps.
If you want coastal resorts you can head over to the French Riviera. I
stayed in St Jean Cap Ferat and toured the cliff villages like St.
Paul de Vence. Then visited Nice and Monte Carlo.
These two sets of destinations are totally different so you'd need to
decide what you'd like to do.
Nancy
Mar 5th 2003, 2:16 am
#10
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: Southern France / Alps
On 4 Mar 2003 11:02:50 -0800, [email protected] (jsberry) wrote:
>My fiance and I are staying in Provence for a few days in April, and
>we want to go to another nearby area for a few more days after that.
>Probably in the French alps or the area west of Provence. I was
>hoping somebody could recommend a good place to stay (town or specific
>hotel) as a "base of operations" for seeing the whole area. Thanks!
Grenoble is nice and not too touristy. There's a nice pedestrian area and a
fanicular. We stayed there during the Christmas shopping season a couple of
years ago, for two nights, and had a great time.
--
"If this is coffee, please bring me some tea. If this is tea, please bring me some coffee."
- Abraham Lincoln
>My fiance and I are staying in Provence for a few days in April, and
>we want to go to another nearby area for a few more days after that.
>Probably in the French alps or the area west of Provence. I was
>hoping somebody could recommend a good place to stay (town or specific
>hotel) as a "base of operations" for seeing the whole area. Thanks!
Grenoble is nice and not too touristy. There's a nice pedestrian area and a
fanicular. We stayed there during the Christmas shopping season a couple of
years ago, for two nights, and had a great time.
--
"If this is coffee, please bring me some tea. If this is tea, please bring me some coffee."
- Abraham Lincoln
Mar 5th 2003, 3:46 am
#11
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: Southern France / Alps
> "If this is coffee, please bring me some tea. If this is tea, please
bring me some coffee."
> - Abraham Lincoln
Note also:
Isambard Kingdom Brunel's letter of complaint to the manager of the
Refreshment Rooms at Swindon, about "the worst coffee, or rather the worst
roasted corn I have ever tasted".
Michael Forrest
bring me some coffee."
> - Abraham Lincoln
Note also:
Isambard Kingdom Brunel's letter of complaint to the manager of the
Refreshment Rooms at Swindon, about "the worst coffee, or rather the worst
roasted corn I have ever tasted".
Michael Forrest
Mar 5th 2003, 4:35 am
#12
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: Southern France / Alps
In article , [email protected]
(Forrest) wrote:
> > "If this is coffee, please bring me some tea. If this is tea, please
> bring me some coffee."
> > - Abraham Lincoln
> >
>
> Note also:
>
> Isambard Kingdom Brunel's letter of complaint to the manager of the
> Refreshment Rooms at Swindon, about "the worst coffee, or rather the
> worst
> roasted corn I have ever tasted".
Who said "Please don't shout/or wave it about/or the rest will be wanting
some too"?
(Forrest) wrote:
> > "If this is coffee, please bring me some tea. If this is tea, please
> bring me some coffee."
> > - Abraham Lincoln
> >
>
> Note also:
>
> Isambard Kingdom Brunel's letter of complaint to the manager of the
> Refreshment Rooms at Swindon, about "the worst coffee, or rather the
> worst
> roasted corn I have ever tasted".
Who said "Please don't shout/or wave it about/or the rest will be wanting
some too"?
Mar 5th 2003, 4:56 am
#13
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: Southern France / Alps
wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> In article , [email protected]
> (Forrest) wrote:
> > > "If this is coffee, please bring me some tea. If this is tea, please
> > bring me some coffee."
> > > - Abraham Lincoln
> > >
> >
> > Note also:
> >
> > Isambard Kingdom Brunel's letter of complaint to the manager of the
> > Refreshment Rooms at Swindon, about "the worst coffee, or rather the
> > worst
> > roasted corn I have ever tasted".
> Who said "Please don't shout/or wave it about/or the rest will be wanting
> some too"?
There appear to be many versions so perhaps no one person said it:
There was man dining in Karu,
who found a dead mouse in his stew,
the waiter said,
don't shout or wave it about,
or the others will want one too!
Others are less printable in a family Newsgroup like this.
Michael Forrest
news:[email protected]...
> In article , [email protected]
> (Forrest) wrote:
> > > "If this is coffee, please bring me some tea. If this is tea, please
> > bring me some coffee."
> > > - Abraham Lincoln
> > >
> >
> > Note also:
> >
> > Isambard Kingdom Brunel's letter of complaint to the manager of the
> > Refreshment Rooms at Swindon, about "the worst coffee, or rather the
> > worst
> > roasted corn I have ever tasted".
> Who said "Please don't shout/or wave it about/or the rest will be wanting
> some too"?
There appear to be many versions so perhaps no one person said it:
There was man dining in Karu,
who found a dead mouse in his stew,
the waiter said,
don't shout or wave it about,
or the others will want one too!
Others are less printable in a family Newsgroup like this.
Michael Forrest
Mar 5th 2003, 5:24 am
#14
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: Southern France / Alps
In article , [email protected]
(Forrest) wrote:
> There appear to be many versions so perhaps no one person said it:
>
> There was man dining in Karu,
> who found a dead mouse in his stew,
> the waiter said,
> don't shout or wave it about,
> or the others will want one too!
>
> Others are less printable in a family Newsgroup like this.
>
> Michael Forrest
I remembered it as "A passenger dining at Crewe/Found a rather large mouse
in his stew", which was why Brunel reminded me of the verse.
(Forrest) wrote:
> There appear to be many versions so perhaps no one person said it:
>
> There was man dining in Karu,
> who found a dead mouse in his stew,
> the waiter said,
> don't shout or wave it about,
> or the others will want one too!
>
> Others are less printable in a family Newsgroup like this.
>
> Michael Forrest
I remembered it as "A passenger dining at Crewe/Found a rather large mouse
in his stew", which was why Brunel reminded me of the verse.
Mar 5th 2003, 9:45 am
#15
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: Southern France / Alps
The following website provides a wealth of information (photos, maps,
hotel contact info..) on different towns and villages located in the
French Alps including the Hautes Alpes, Alpes de Haute Provence, Alpes
Maritimes, Bouche du Rhone, Var and Vaucluse.
http://www.provencebeyond.com/villages/index.html
Depending on how much time you have and how you are travelling you may
consider different locations.
I would suggest - if you have more than 'a few days' - to visit and
stay in Briancon. It is supposedly the highest town in Europe. If
you like hiking + architecture, this is a good match. It is an
amazing fortified town designed by Vauban (the famous army architect
under Louis XIV). I did some renovation work in the late 80's.
Briancon is just incredible for its architecture and surroundings!
Don't miss to step on the Pont d'Asfeld...See picture on this page.
http://216.194.69.141/alpinewhitewaterfrancaise/gallery_7/025-Pont-D'Asfeld-in-Briancon.htm
Stephane (your Tyzo.com friend)
hotel contact info..) on different towns and villages located in the
French Alps including the Hautes Alpes, Alpes de Haute Provence, Alpes
Maritimes, Bouche du Rhone, Var and Vaucluse.
http://www.provencebeyond.com/villages/index.html
Depending on how much time you have and how you are travelling you may
consider different locations.
I would suggest - if you have more than 'a few days' - to visit and
stay in Briancon. It is supposedly the highest town in Europe. If
you like hiking + architecture, this is a good match. It is an
amazing fortified town designed by Vauban (the famous army architect
under Louis XIV). I did some renovation work in the late 80's.
Briancon is just incredible for its architecture and surroundings!
Don't miss to step on the Pont d'Asfeld...See picture on this page.
http://216.194.69.141/alpinewhitewaterfrancaise/gallery_7/025-Pont-D'Asfeld-in-Briancon.htm
Stephane (your Tyzo.com friend)
