Chandeysson

Directions

Planning Your Visit

Opening the House

Suggested Resturants

Suggested Attractions

Outdoor Markets

Closing the House

Link to Calendar

DIRECTIONS

From the Marseille Airport

From Paris

Streets in St. Marcel are very small. Please drive carefully. Approaching from the south will have you on the D201 into town. A tobacco shop sign means turn left onto Le Village (to your right is an easy bar and restaurant). The left onto Le Village is a SHARP left with no room to pass. A couple hundred yards ahead, Le Village takes a sharp left, and Rue Parot is right in front of you. The is the right onto Parot. Toot your horn on blind right turn up Rue Parot. House is right in front of you at the top of the hill.

PLANNING YOUR VISIT

Once you have received your confirmation email, you can purchase airline tickets. My friend used skyscanner.com and reports "the interface is just OK but I liked that I could set up several searches and set alarms for when pricing moved. This app delivered expected prices and what made for a 'good deal'". Send me your travel app ideas!

A rental car is critical. Luggage may need to be placed between passengers for the ride to/from the house. You can likely upgrade if your rental is too small. Gas is cheap until you realize its in liters not gallons. Drive the speed limit (especially through St. Just) as they will send you an electronic ticket months later (which you can pay online).

Learn some French words. Duolingo is fun and free. Greetings and Travel are helpful. This is not Paris, everyone appreciates a "Meh-sea".

Obviously general travel tips apply (bring your medication), but this is France not Burkina Faso. Plus the home has everything you would expect. Washer/Dryer. Dishwasher. Look around. You will find it.

OPENING THE HOUSE

Driveway - Please drive slow from the turn off the street past the full time tenants and their balcony. They are friendly but we respect their privacy. Park under the tree in front of the house.

Front Door - Your keys work here. Small key unlocks 2 Rolling Shutter Locks (same key works both top and bottom locks). Once open, the large key unlocks a Dead Bolt System on the main door.

Water Main - On the first floor, to the left of the stairs is a hallway leading to a wash closet (WC), the door just to the right is the utility room. Behind this door is the Water Main. Turn it on.

Side Door - The shutter can only be opened from the inside. The door uses the same dead bolt system. Keys are found on desk next to door, or in key dish by front door.

Beds - The second floor bedrooms are; double bed/private bath, two single beds, queen bed, two single beds, double bed.

Feel free to use everything the home has to offer. Please be extra careful with telescopes. Feel free to break guitar strings (we can fix). There is a 2,000 gallon stand-up pool (for bold visitors) and a 9,000 BTU rolling air-conditioner (for the not so bold). Vent A/C tube out the window and put a towel (or baking sheet)down to collect condensation . You should not need the A/C however due to dry climate.

SUGGESTED RESTAURANTS

Restaurant Le Bouchon - Aigueze - Favorite, Friendly, Close, Easy, bring Boules for after dinner

Restaurant les Tourelles - East of Pont St. Esprit - French Fine Dining - Reservations - MUST DO!

Bistro Lou Castel - Aigueze - Good option if Restaurant Le Bouchon is full

Cafateria at Chauvet Caves - Hidden treasure - take time before or after your tour for French Fine Dining

Vanille et Chocolat - St. Martin - Pizza and People Watching, Easy, Lively, Fun

Bar Hôtel Restaurant Calixte - St. Marcel - Our local bar - walking distance - good pizza in a pinch

La Crémaillère - Orange - Right at Theater Wall - typical cafe - secret German food

Cafe des Voyageurs - Pont St. Esprit - Cababs, Sports Bar, watch World Cup here

Hôtel Restaurant Bellevue - St. Martin - Disco Lights - okay food - eeeh

Bar Du Coin - Mornas - typical cafe

Artisan Boulanger - St. Marcel - Our Bread Shop - visit every morning for daily bread and treats

Le Mambo - St. Marcel - good for quick coffee - or if everything else is closed

Note: Restaurant Guides in the house are likely obsolete. For example - Restaurant La Cigale - St. Just - is permanently closed

SUGGESTED ATTRACTIONS

Let's talk about the perfect week at the house. If, on day one, you are Jet Lagged, you may awake at 1PM. Everything is closed but for the Intermarche' Contact (9AM-8PM - closed Sunday). Shop. Come home, pack the fridge with goodies, and relax on the balcony with wine and cheese. Late dinner in Aigueze (since you're already up late - enjoy the night life!).

Day Two - Set an alarm and get up early. Go to Artisan Boulanger! This is our favorite bakery. Get your daily bread, treats, and practice your French with the lovely and forgiving staff. Next, jump right into history with a trip to either Orange, for the Roman amphitheater, Avignon, home of seven Popes during the 1300's, or Grignan, home of the Marquise de Sévigné, known for her salacious letters and the inspiration for the book "Dangerous Liaisons".

Day Three - Kayaking the Georges d' Archche! Drop by St. Martin the day before and schedule your trip. With kids, limit your trip to under 10km, with adults, limit your trip to under 15km! Morning of, pack bread, wine, hard cheese, olives, towels, sunscreen, and plenty of water (2 liters per person per 10km). Take your time, stop often, enjoy sandy beaches. Dinner at Vanille et Chocolat in St. Martin.

Day Four - Morning tour of Caverne du Pont d'Arc. With lunch at their cafeteria (a hidden culinary treasure). Followed by a nap on the Vallon Pont d'Arc beach just down stream from the natural bridge (park here for 5 euro and walk across the street, take path to the left).

Day Five - Get up early and spend the entire day in Les Baux de Provence. The Carrieres de Limieres is not to be missed! Then walk through town all the way to the fort at the top. Entrance fee includes trébuchet launch. They will be looking for strong men to help load. French is not required. Restaurants are marginal. We were pleased with Au Porte Mages and Une Table Au Soleil.

Day Six - Follow the D6086 south to the Pont du Gard, a 2000 year old Roman aqueduct, for swimming, hiking, and a mediocre museum. Cliff diving (jumping) will test your courage. Then drive to Chateauneuf du Pape to purchase your wine to take home. This town is full of wine merchants offering free tastings. It offers little for the kids but half a castle on the hill.

Day Seven - Get up early and hit the bakery then an outdoor market from the list below. Purchase soaps, table cloths, and trinkets to turn your home into a Provence paradise. To ensure the lavandar smell stays with you, take a Lanandar tour and stock up on supplies in the gift shop.

There you have it - the perfect week in Southern France. If you wish to drive farther, you may want to explore:

Aix en Provence

Carcassonne

Spain

Bon Voyage