weather & must sees

We will be in Provance for 10 days in Oct. We%26#39;ll stay in Bonnieux and do day tours all through the area. How cool or hot will it be/ Are the wine tours we can go on and which ones are suggested. We%26#39;ll arrive in Nice and get the car then fly out of Nice at the end of the trip so any sights along the way would be helpful too. Tips on places to eat, markets anything.

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If you have a car, I strongly recommend spending a day at the Pont du Gard, one of the most amazing sights in Provence and one of the most spectacular Roman ruins anywhere, in a beautiful setting. There is a great museum there, called the Grand Expo du Pont du Gard, so make sure you go on a day that it is open-- not sure it is open every day inthe fall. The museum is a little hard to find (located sort of underground at the visitor center) but we and our two teenage sons thought it was wonderful and facinating, with all displays in Engish, too. If it is still summer weather when you go, take your swimsuits as there is a great swimming and sunning spot on the banks of the river just below the monument. During the summer, at least, and possibly in the fall as well, there are kayaks for rent somewhere nearby up river-- they kept on passing by and it looked like fun.

If you go to Vence, and enjoy modern art, check out the Gallerie Maeght, a small and very elegant contemporary art museum in the lovely countryside just outside town.

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I live about a half an hour from Bonnieux. October normally sees quite nice weather and exceptional sunsets. Temps between 17 and 24 C during daylight hours and between 13 and 16 on average at night. Every year can be different. Usually, by the time we have our Halloween party, we need a jacket. Shouldn%26#39;t see too much rain - but we desperately need it. It is like a desert here right now.

What to see. Well, Apt has an excellent Saturday market. You must see Gordes. If you like wine, don%26#39;t miss Domaine La Citadelle in Menerbes. As for wine tours, sure they can be arranged, but I think most people go on their own. If you want a tour, ask at the local tourist bureau in Bonnieux.

I live a little bit further over - at the foot of Mt. Ventoux, so most of my recommendations will be around Avignon, etc. Which you should not miss...

Have a great vacation.