Driving from Paris to Provence--where to stay?

Our family of three (me, my husband, and our 11-yr-old son) will be driving from Paris to Provence, where we%26#39;ll be spending 2 weeks in the Luberon. Any advice about what%26#39;s good to see along our route (probably through Lyon, but not carved in stone) and where to stay on the night we%26#39;ll be between Paris and Provence, would be greatly appreciated. Also, information about how long this drive should take and how far we can reasonably expect to get the first day would be nice to know (we%26#39;ll be leaving CDG airport in early afternoon after seeing our 19-yr-old son off, who%26#39;s flying back to the States after our week in Paris).

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www.viamichelin.com will help you plan your journey, giving you routes, costs %26amp; journey times.

For hotels along the way, check out - www.logis-de-france.fr/uk/index.htm

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There are several factors you must take into account as they will have a material impact on your journey.

You are leaving CDG early afternoon. The airport is to the north of Paris so which ever route you decide on to Provence you will first have to get around Paris which is no fun at the best of times - timed at the wrong time you do run the risk of getting caught in the Paris rush hour.

Under normal travel conditions it is about a 5 to 6 hour journey to Lyon plus another 3 to the Luberon. If however you are thinking of travel in late July or August at the weekends then remember that this is peak holiday time and the roads are very busy.

Can I suggest a couple of alternatives?

Why not take the fast train (TGV) down to Avignon? You will still see the countryside but at a much faster pace. You can then hire the car at the Avignon TGV station which is a short drive to the Luberon.

Or fly down - Air France flys to Avignon.

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Two weeks ago, CDG-Orange took us just under 7 hours (yes, we went the speed limit, as all of the radar are fully operating!

That includes stops for bathroom and petrol, as well as a pique-nique lunch at an aire.

You should have no problem making Provence in one long day --

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If you do end up driving from CDG, try very hard to rent a car with a GPS. It%26#39;s a godsend when driving in France, and quite amusing too. We drove through the Loire Valley several years ago and could not have done without it. I also recommend the train. We%26#39;ll be taking the TGV in August from CDG to Avignon, following advice from many TA posts. Driving in France can be nuts at best, but the traffic to Provence in August is the pits. Good luck!

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%26quot;Driving in France can be nuts at best, but the traffic to Provence in August is the pits%26quot;

Can I just reassure you (having spent 3 weeks in Provence for the last 20 years in August) that providing you keep away from the autoroutes , the coastal strip and the more popular tourist spots the driving is easy on the French/Provencial roads.

When you want to go to the popular parts (Isle sur la Sorques, St Remy, Pont du Gard etc) get up early and beat the crowds.

If you drive the worst traffic you will meat will be in Paris.

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