To park your car in Pezenas is an art. My mantra is, "I refuse to pay money to park." There are plenty of lots where you can pay a few Euros, but the truth is, you don't need to. Some are quite close to the apartment, like the Parking 14 Julliet, or Parking Bobi LaPointe

If you are spending time here in l'Appartement des Artistes, there are important things you need to know.  When we are coming from somewhere with supplies like groceries, luggage or beach gear, we do the following: drop off the bags and passengers at the front door, then go and find a parking space in one of the free lots.

1.) You can not park in front of the building.
Our street is a one-way. The street is not wide enough for parking. If you want to drop off luggage, groceries and or passengers; you have to stop in the middle of the road and take everything to the door. Usually, this does not take forever to unload a car if everyone works together! Then move on so you don't stop too much traffic. Thankfully, there is little car traffic most of the time.

2.) The best lots in town are free and some have security.
There are three such lots in Pezenas (we use one of them of them most of the time) which are all within the same basic proximity to the apartment. This is our preferred method of parking. They are free! Some have video surveillance. They are safe. Each one is a short walk from the apartment, but remember it is a walk through town which is always nice. The names of these three lots are Pres de St Jean, La Fronton, and the Les Cordaliers. These are a 5-10 minute walk from the apartment. There are lots are on either end of the village's cemetery on Avenue Francoise Curree. They used to be free until recently - which has caused an uproar in the village!

3.) You can also use the free public lot close by called Pres-de St Jean.
This lot is great if you want to park close to the apartment: it's free, and there are usually spots. Drawbacks: It does not have video surveillance, and the "pavement" is uneven. If you wanted to park there for a couple of hours during the day, it's perfect. There has been occasion for vandalism in this lot. But just below Pres de St. Jean is La Fronton which is our preferred place to park.

4.) Finally, if you cant find a spot anywhere, there is Les Cordaliers. It was built a few years ago to hand Market and Nocturne traffic in the summer. None of the locals seem to use it. It is nearly 100 spots shaded by Solar Energy capturing structures. It is the farthest from the apartment of all the free lots mentioned, but it's free, and has surveillance. If that was not enough, on your way back to the apartment you pass our favourite vegetable and fruit stand.  Great prices on fresh local food. Friendly service, that takes credit cards. You also walk in front of all the town's brasseries or the Old Town - so Les Cordaliers isn't so bad. 

Don't blink, or you will miss it!
Every few years, the Tour de France comes through Pezenas. The first year, we found a spot along the route and waited a few hours. It was pretty crazy! First they have a Caravan pass through. It is basically sponsor vehicles that have been modified with logos, sculptural details, and occasionally scant ally clad dancers. Kids love the caravan because all of the cars throw samples, shirts, hats...whatever to everyone on the side of the road.
There are hundreds of motorcycles with cameramen, officials, whomever.
Finally the riders come through. Everyone goes crazy yelling and screaming. Again, there are hundreds of riders. They all pass by in seconds, and then it's over. It really is like the circus blew through town.