Why
did you choose Provence?
(Anja+Herman): Years ago we had a few bad experiences with
vacations in France and swore never again to spend our summers there.
Then, seven years ago, we gave it one more try and went
camping in Roquebrune [ed: just north of Ste-Maxime -- see map].
And?
Great! Obviously, because we've come back every year since.
What made the difference?
The weather here in the south. It's steady, always sunny in
summer. And Roquebrune. The town is not far from the coast, 10 km, but it's
very different. No mass tourism there. Still, if we want to go to
the beach, we're there in a jiffy. That is, if we don't leave too
late in the morning.
Because?
The coastal road! It's a disaster in summer. Bumper to bumper,
crawling at a snail's pace. Once we drove to Saint-Tropez. It took
us all day, for just a few kilometers. Now, when we go to
Saint-Tropez, we take the ferry from Saint-Maxime or Port-Grimaud.
It's much better in September.
We know. But we don't have that luxury. Kids' school vacation,
you know.
Les Issambres?
(Beata+Johan, who are renting a house there): Not as quiet as
Roquebrune, because it's on the coast. But we're enjoying it very
much.
Regrets?
We don't have much contact with the French. It seems as if
they're not interested in foreigners. Maybe I'm wrong. The French we
do meet, and talk to, are shopkeepers and waiters. Here on the
coast, we find them quite surly. Perhaps too many tourists?
Advice?
For people coming from northern Europe: if you can, use the
car-train. It's so relaxing by contrast to driving all those
kilometers on overloaded highways. You arrive fresh and can start
your vacation immediately. When you drive down, you always need a
few days to rest and adjust. It's expensive, the car-train, but
maybe not as much if you take everything into account.
Back next year?
Absolutely!
View of Saint-Tropez from the
Bay
