La Rochelle is about 2.5 hours closer than Marseille by car. Is the med worth the extra screaming kids factor? Haven't been to either coast since I was a kid.

 

Both coasts are pretty long, the med coast stretching from Menton in the east to the Spanish border, and it changes a LOT on the way, from beaches, to rocky and back to beaches. Weather is generally more reliable than the west coast. Sea is rougher in the west, depends if you want waves, also colder, and tidal, which the med isn't.

West coast stretches from Britanny to the Spanish border, again, VERY varied. The area called the Vendee has some of the best weather with a micro-climate similar to the Med.

For me it would be Provence, or the Gard every time

 

La Rochelle and Marseille are two rather differnt places !

The first a packed classy resort in summer the second a down and dirty metrolpolis id have thought

 

Correct, re Marseille itself, but I don't think the OP meant to stay IN either. There are beautiful coves within 5-10 miles of Marseille.

 

+1

Been a couple of times, really desperate to go back.

Wonderful roads, some very very nice hotels, lots of shopping near by and beaches.

If I won the lottery it would have to be a house in the hills around Lorgues. Spitting distance to Cannes and not far from Nice and Monaco.

That part of the world is perfect, also so close to Milan, Corsica, Geneve, Palma even Barcalona is not *that* far away.

 

When we go down that way we stay in Sainte-Maxime, Its a really nice place. loads of beach, loads of sun not too many people.

 

I really love the Vaucluse, the rolling hills to the south, north east and east of Avignon, lovely wine, incredible light, beautiful countryside.

If I could live anywhere it would be Isle sur la Sorgue.

 

Thanks guys, great tips! I'll get googling...

 

If you really want somewhere special to stay for a few days while you are down there have a look at the Four Seasons in Provence.

Four Seasons Resort Provence at Terre Blanche: Luxury Resort in Provence, France

Its not cheap, but if you like your relaxation its worth a look.

We stayed over xmas and new year in 2008 and it was probably the best hotel I have stayed in - incl other FS resorts.

 

We stayed in Marennes which is about 36 miles from La Rochelle in June 2008 and it was absolutely fantastic, it apparently also has a micro climate and the weather was beautiful - really hot. Would definately recommend that part of the country

 

I've stayed in a couple of Four Seasons and loved them - but wouldn't want to take our young kids there. Maybe in 20 years or so!

 

Hi

Both are great but the problem with South of France nowadays as opposed to 10 or even 5 years ago is the cop presence. If you are going down to find some great roads then you definately need to go further than la rochelle, however the good roads along and slightly inland from the riviera are too well policed to have the type of fun you should be having on roads like that! In my opinion head south west and cross the boarder anywhere and get into spain, its another world, amazing mountain and coast roads and as long as you aren´t being really daft the police (if you do see any) let you get on with it because they are too busy chasing bikers. Head for somewhere around the costa brava and you will have loads of fun, great year round weather and it´s only an hours drive from the french border.

 

You know who to blame if you read about a family dying in a fiery inferno after rolling their overlaiden Land Rover Discovery off the side of a mountain road.

 

Last time I was in Spain, I got an instant fine for touching one wheel to a solid white line on a corner.......the cops were coining it, just like that.

 

Last year I drove Marseille, Cannes, Monaco and back again - some fantastic roads along the coast and quite breathtaking scenery.

I found a parking space in a marina right in the front of Monaco and parked next to another UK Scoob!

Might do it again this year

 

How do you get 2.5 hours?

 

Google Maps.

 

from Calais then

i'd opt for Marseille
La Rochelle is ok though but can't beat the med, esp that side of France
Traffic wise La Rochelle would be lighter
Some nice beaches around La Rochelle but the sea will be freezing

 

Water 'll be freezing in the med too lol , and plenty of floaters to boot not to mention ghastly tourists

 

Go west young man!