We've been back from our wonderful trip for about 3 weeks now, so it's time I put something down for all the great folks who helped in the planning stages. 6 weeks is a long time, and I didn't keep a journal this time (fool me)so it will just be highlights and impressions, but still could be kind of long. Sorry!
Arrived in Paris on 16th April after 22 uncomfortable hours in cattle class. Too early to check in to our hotel, so we dropped our bags and went for a walk. Early in Spring, but the trees in the Jardin de Plantes were stunningly full of pink blossom - I can almost smell them now.
18 months ago, we missed catching our TGV from Paris to Avignon when the pre booked taxi didn't arrive in time to get us to the station, so THIS time we stayed within walking distance!
The plan was to have 2 days in Paris to get over any jetlag and readjust before starting out proper - if that makes sense? So we spent 2 days wandering the Marais, eating crepes, drinking wine and coffee, smiling a lot and generally getting in the swing before catching the train to Avignon. The plan worked! Didn't miss the train! Went first class this time as when I booked in Australia, 1st was cheaper than 2nd! All black velvet and little reading lights. Very nice, but so is 2nd I think.
Arrived at Avignon and were met by the nice car lease man, Jose, who took us back to his office (service station) just outside the walls of the old city to do the paperwork. We leased a Citroen C4 this time and it was great. We also got a great deal. Booking early meant we got 7 free days, having done it before, we got 3 extra free days, and owning a Citroen in Australia,they gave us a further 10% off the total! They just about had to pay us! Well, not really, but it was a great deal.
I noticed that the parking near the walls looked a bit scarce and asked Jose the best place to park when we came back to have a look around, and he kindly suggested we parked on his premises. One problem out of the way.
So - we hopped in the car and were off - well nearly. We then had to get out and change sides. We drive on the left here and were operating out of habit! Felt very silly. Off to Arles for the Saturday market the next day and then on to our house in St Remy for the week.
The adventure begins.
Sue

I'm glad to hear about your trip, Sue! After the first installment of your trip report, I can't wait for the rest.

You might want to consider adding it to our trip report database on the main site. There you can keep it all together, and add a photo for each page. It also becomes searchable and easier to locate for people who want to see it long after this thread on the message board is history.

Take a look here to see the trip reports. If you want to consider adding your own there, click the "create trip report" link a the top of that page. You'll have to register as a user on the main site to go any further, but then you'll get a page of instructions that describes the whole process.

... ditto to what Chris said. And you can start by pasting in what you wrote in your post above!

thanks for that. i didn't realise there was a separate section.
sue

Just a couple of questions, we're going to stay by Rue Cler in Paris for 5 nights and then plan to take the TVG to Avignon. Are we going encounter a problem getting there by taxi? We were just going to have the hotel call us a taxi, how long does it take to go from Rue Cler by the Eiffel Tower to Gare de Lyon. It will be May 1, a holiday, so the traffic should be light.

Also, what car company did you use?

Hi Suze,
I imagine that taxi problems aren't all that common. We had our hotel call a taxi the night before and after several phone calls in the morning it arrived nearly an hour late. It was peak hour. That's why we didn't want to risk it a second time. I don't know how long your trip will take. A site like Mappy shoud be able to tell you that. The French Govt. has a progam whereby people not in the EU can lease French cars that do not have tax payable on them. Peugeot, Renault and Citroen all have their own programs and you can access them by going to their websites in your own country. It's called Eurodrive or something similar.
Have a greta trip.
Sue

we are thinking about Provence for next year. Where did you stay in St. Remy and can you recommend it?
Thanks
Jabo

Jabo,
We loved the house we stayed in in St Remy. I have written a review - should be posted soon I guess.
Here is the link to the house http://www.lougrihet.com/mas-anglais.htm[/URL]
I found it on the St Remy town website. The owner, Josianne, is a lovely lady who greets you with home made jam, and invites you over to her house for a drink. She has no English, but a phrase book and a sense of humor go a long way. You couldn't go wrong with St Remy in my opinion. Lucky you!
Sue

Hi Sue Thanks for the link, looks interesting! No definite plans yet but would like to be in Provence next year. We will also be coming to Melbourne as my husband is originally from there and we visit every few years. So don't know if Melbourne will be the first trip next year or Provence.... or vice versa
Jabo