less touristed places in provence, early June?

From # 4: What's your transport modus because this is imo off-ther-beatrn-path. Cycling is the ideal means of transportation for these opportunities:
Sorry, overlooked rental car. And then you'll really enjoy above suggestions. I would strongly advice to continue from e.g., Manosque along the Gorges du Verdon (south side)
to Fréjus/Saint Raphael, following the gorgeous coastline of the Massif d'Estérel through Cannes, Antibes and Menton.

Hello,
I am a french girl who know Provence since my husband is born here and we have our boat there.
June is a nice month to go and visit the surrounding of Marseille since the holidays have not started yet. (after you should move !)
You should stay one day in Marseille and take the boat (30 mn) to go to the island in front of it :le Frioul (we always go there with our boat). You will be very few compared to beaches in Marseille. And it nos cost much.
You can also go walking for a whole day in the creeks of Cassis or onl visit this nicest village in front of the sea, and see/ drive afterwards on the road above the sea from there. It is wonderful and a "must" to do.
Do not go to other places (such as Manosque, ) because you will lost your time which is counted!
You can visit a city which is very well knowed to be "the 21st district of Paris" : Aix en Provence.
It is woth it too. Vey beatiful city with fountains, markets (with typical product from provence if you like food), paved streets....
The "gorges du Verdon" are so wonderful place to rest surrounded by nature. You should go there before leaving too.
After I will not more far...but you can go on with more crowded and touristic place as St Tropez, St Raphael.. But it is no more the Charm of Provence... in fact it depends what you are looking for... but you seems like not wanting to have crowded places with tourists, right?

I hope you will feel like seeing my favorite places !
Have good holidays there!
Isabelle, a french expat in Ghana
expatbyisa.wordpress.com

Although I've been to France twice, never to Provence....so I'm really looking forward to seeing places I've read about for decades. I have now looked up most of the villages you mentioned & they are superb! exactly the kind of thing I was hoping for.
As for the car - planning to drive across the border to Italy. Have not begun inquiries yet about cost of car hire if taking it to another country. If it's too expensive &/or too much hassle, then I'll arrange to leave it at the border & hire another country in Italy itself.
However, I'm beginning to think I might even stay in France for the whole trip and NOT go to Italy (have been there 7 or 8 times, have Italian friends & now Tuscany & Umbria very well).
Are you familiar with the region of Burgundy? I am interested in seeing the old monasteries of the Cistercian order - especially at Citeau & Clairvaux. Any advice? Is the scenery/architecture generally different enough from Provence to warrant perhaps a journey of 10 days?

Once again, many thanks

Hello
I m happy that you liked the places i mentionnzd for your trip
I think youshould stay in provence part. Tjere are many things to see
And if you have been alreasy in Italy..
I so not know burundy. Never heard of it sorry
Isabelle

The scenery in Burgundy is quite different, e.g. the rolling hills on the wine routes, as the Route des Grand Cru. It's the Côte d'Or region.
You might go there (or return) partly along the fine Canal du centre.
Achitecture is seldom the same; in this region towns like Dijon and more simple to access: Beaune, are pearls.
Langres is an interesting fortified town.

But I'm afraid for overkill as a former poster was saying...you might cancel Italy and 'replaces' it by Burgundy. Of course it's your choice but in general less is more.

Burgundy = Bourgogne

Ok i understand borgone now

However, I'm beginning to think I might even stay in France for the whole trip and NOT go to Italy (have been there 7 or 8 times, have Italian friends & now Tuscany & Umbria very well).

How much time would you then have in total for France, besides the 2 weeks you now plan on spending in Provence?

would like to avoid Marseille - it's of course a question of money but you can also fly to Toulon.
Wondering how busy this time of year is - low season
interested in Roman ruins - here are some but there are much more in this part of France http://www.beyond.fr/sites/roman.html
Romanesque churches and monasteries - there are Benedictines, Carthusian, Carolingian all over the region of PACA and some are also hotels.
quiet towns/villages - http://www.gosouthfrance.com/holiday-rentals/best-places-to-stay-south-of-france.html have a look inbto this site it gives you some more ideas about the region

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