Getting to the venue
Route planning
There are a few ways to get there. Traveling via the toll roads is quicker however you don’t get to see much of rural France and the traffic can be unnerving if you haven’t driven abroad before.
Our preferred route: is to head north to Aix-en-provence (Aix) and then continue through the countryside directly to Cadenet. No toll on this route. Approx 49 mins.
https://maps.app.goo.gl/32hEQASgB2DjSgTv9
Alternative route: you could equally continue on the motorway and veer north east from Aix, heading towards Pertuis and then west along the D973. This route will have a toll on it. Approx 41 mins.
Local area
The local area is called Luberon, named after the collection of mountain ranges. There are a large volume of pretty, quintessential french villages dotted either side of the range. To the south towards the river there is; Lourmarin (our favourite), Cadenet, Lauris and Cucuron. Over the mountain, via the main mountain pass to the north of Lourmarin there is Bonnieux, Saint Saturnin-les-Apt and the famous Gorde. If you wanted to visit a local small city, we would suggest heading into Aix.
Drive time from the venue:
📍Cadetnet
5 mins
📍Lauris
9 mins
📍Lourmarin:
10 mins
📍Cucuron
11 mins
📍Bonnieux
27 mins
📍Aix
34 mins
📍Saint Saturnin-les-Apt
40 mins
📍Gorde - (narrow roads in places)
40 mins
Local shops
Super U between Cadenet and Lauris: https://maps.app.goo.gl/ypEWa9zFsqqtDb369
Bakery near Lauris: https://maps.app.goo.gl/n52t5N5y2WkgZYaG8
Bakery near the venue: https://maps.app.goo.gl/HxHtQo8XtMMNXeLWA
Car hire
There are lots of car hire companies to choose from at Marseille airport. Our preferred company is Enterprise, with Avis and Sixt being runners up.
The prices constantly change for car hire, with discount offers being added usually around christmas and the new year. It’s also worth noting that all hire companies offer a ‘pay later’ price that is normally £10 more per day, however you can cancel anytime. Should a better offer come up later in the year, this could save you 20%!
Tips
- A lot of french rural towns have narrow roads, so choose wisely when picking a hire car.
- A ‘hiring day’ is 24hrs. If you can return your car before the next ‘day’ starts, you can save money. For example, rent a car on tuesday from 11am and return by 10:30 on friday, you will only pay for 3 days.
- To help save money, we highly recommend purchasing an excess policy ahead of traveling. Most car hire companies will charge on average £25 a day. We buy excess ahead of time at a cost of £10 in total. We would advise using https://www.reducemyexcess.co.uk/ buying ‘single trip’ excess cover.
Below are guide prices for a 4 day car rental
Enterprise2k Excess
Economy 5 door£201
Compact SUV£216
Standard SUV£312
Sixt2.5k Excess
Economy 5 door£207
Compact SUV£213
Standard SUV£280
Avis4.5k Excess
Economy 5 door£205
Compact SUV£218
Standard SUV£321
Both Enterprise and Avis include the Damage Waiver (or collision damage waiver - both the same thing) as part of their normal policy. Sixt however do not, making the prices look cheaper. In addition, Enterprise’s excess is also lower than the rest.If you choose to purchase your own excess, the hire company will require a credit card to scan, should there be a need to make a claim.
Back
Getting to the venue
Route planning
There are a few ways to get there. Traveling via the toll roads is quicker however you don’t get to see much of rural France and the traffic can be unnerving if you haven’t driven abroad before.
Our preferred route: is to head north to Aix-en-provence (Aix) and then continue through the countryside directly to Cadenet. No toll on this route. Approx 49 mins.
https://maps.app.goo.gl/32hEQASgB2DjSgTv9
Alternative route: you could equally continue on the motorway and veer north east from Aix, heading towards Pertuis and then west along the D973. This route will have a toll on it. Approx 41 mins.
Local area
The local area is called Luberon, named after the collection of mountain ranges. There are a large volume of pretty, quintessential french villages dotted either side of the range. To the south towards the river there is; Lourmarin (our favourite), Cadenet, Lauris and Cucuron. Over the mountain, via the main mountain pass to the north of Lourmarin there is Bonnieux, Saint Saturnin-les-Apt and the famous Gorde. If you wanted to visit a local small city, we would suggest heading into Aix.
Drive time from the venue:
📍Cadetnet
5 mins
📍Lauris
9 mins
📍Lourmarin:
10 mins
📍Cucuron
11 mins
📍Bonnieux
27 mins
📍Aix
34 mins
📍Saint Saturnin-les-Apt
40 mins
📍Gorde - (narrow roads in places)
40 mins
Local shops
Super U between Cadenet and Lauris: https://maps.app.goo.gl/ypEWa9zFsqqtDb369
Bakery near Lauris: https://maps.app.goo.gl/n52t5N5y2WkgZYaG8
Bakery near the venue: https://maps.app.goo.gl/HxHtQo8XtMMNXeLWA
Car hire
There are lots of car hire companies to choose from at Marseille airport. Our preferred company is Enterprise, with Avis and Sixt being runners up.
The prices constantly change for car hire, with discount offers being added usually around christmas and the new year. It’s also worth noting that all hire companies offer a ‘pay later’ price that is normally £10 more per day, however you can cancel anytime. Should a better offer come up later in the year, this could save you 20%!
Tips
- A lot of french rural towns have narrow roads, so choose wisely when picking a hire car.
- A ‘hiring day’ is 24hrs. If you can return your car before the next ‘day’ starts, you can save money. For example, rent a car on tuesday from 11am and return by 10:30 on friday, you will only pay for 3 days.
- To help save money, we highly recommend purchasing an excess policy ahead of traveling. Most car hire companies will charge on average £25 a day. We buy excess ahead of time at a cost of £10 in total. We would advise using https://www.reducemyexcess.co.uk/ buying ‘single trip’ excess cover.
Below are guide prices for a 4 day car rental
Enterprise2k Excess
Economy 5 door£201
Compact SUV£216
Standard SUV£312
Sixt2.5k Excess
Economy 5 door£207
Compact SUV£213
Standard SUV£280
Avis4.5k Excess
Economy 5 door£205
Compact SUV£218
Standard SUV£321
Both Enterprise and Avis include the Damage Waiver (or collision damage waiver - both the same thing) as part of their normal policy. Sixt however do not, making the prices look cheaper. In addition, Enterprise’s excess is also lower than the rest.If you choose to purchase your own excess, the hire company will require a credit card to scan, should there be a need to make a claim.