Any Place Similar To Avignon,france?

[lynbrown]

We had a lovely holiday earlier this year in Avignon. It was on a river, had an historic 'old' quarter from 12th century and lots of winding streets to explore. Is there any where else like this in France?

[jeffa]

Orange, Nimes in the South. Or you could try places like Troyes or Provins.

[shoota]

Research Carcasonne.

[ChillDoubt]

Carcassonne, the second most visited site in France, after the Palace of Versaillles.

http://www.tourisme-carcassonne.fr/

[ChillDoubt]

I've stayed here, it's within the city/castle walls and I can't recommend it enough, you won't be disappointed:

http://www.expedia.co.uk/Carcassonne-Hotels-Best-Western-Le-Donjon.h14845.Hotel-Information?&rm1=a2&semcid=expe.UK.001.003.08.02&;kword=%20le_%20donjon_%20carcassonne!m.ZzZz.3140000929047.0.16687461642.%20le%20%20donjon%20%20carcassonne.%20le_%20donjon_%20carcassonne&gclid=CMe0nPjF1rsCFaXMtAoddjoARw

[Rosetta]

This is interesting
Saint-Malo Tourism

[Rosetta]

sorry, that didnt work

[boxtops]

Mougins, just inland from Cannes - well worth a visit, we stayed there a couple of years ago. Interesting old hilltop town, in easy driving distance of the coast.

[sunny-dave]

Nimes is great - and you can a bus out to the Pont du Gard which is just stunning.

[jeffa]

Seconded, Dave. Le Pont du Gard is something that everyone should visit at least once.

And not forgetting: http://www.lesbauxdeprovence.com/en

[boxtops]

... and historically, Nimes is where denim cloth originated.

[shoota]

There is a multiplicity of Roman and Mediaeval sites of interest around Parthenay in Deux Sevres which is not a standard tourist destination and therefore relatively quiet.
It's an hour from Poitiers so you could do a two centre break but you would need a car.
You might even meet an AB'er lurking around......

[bhg481]

Nobody seems to have mentioned Arles or Aigues-Mortes so far.

Have a look at the Michelin Green Guide for Provence - lots of suggestions in there.

[lynbrown]

A lot of good helpful info. We dont drive so like to have enogh on hand, rather than touring around. Many thanks to all, you never let me down!

[Zacs-Master]

Also, there Dordogne is littered with beautiful and fascinating villages and towns:
http://www.everythingdordogne.net/Beautiful_Villages_Dordogne.php

[sunny-dave]

Good thread this - bookmarked for when I next have Gallic urges ...

[jno]

France and Italy are awash with lovely old towns. I don't know why Britain isn't; I suppose most of the ones here have just been pulled down and replaced with Tescos. There are still pretty villages but nothing much bigger.

A friend of mine was mugged and stabbed while exploring Carcassonne last year, so make sure you don't wander off the beaten track.

[jno]

Auvers is just outside Paris - direct trains in the tourist season, change at Pontoise other times. Van Gogh died there. They've put up posters of the paintings he did there - one of the church outside the church, one of the corn fields where he saw the corn and the crows. He and his brother are buried there.

Lovely place

http://www.vangoghgallery.com/in_his_steps/auvers.html