Heading to Nice in September for 3 days then have 3 days left to explore Provence with the last 2 days in Avignon. Any recommendations including tour guides, renting a car (yes or no) or don't miss ideas would be most welcome!
Posted by
Long Beach, Ca, usa
1090 posts
Christy,
Do your 3 days INCLUDE the 2 days in Avignon, or are they INB ADDITION to the 2 days in Avignon (5 days total)? In other words, do you have a total of 6 or 8 days in Provence? It is not clear what you are asking.
Posted by
OP
4 posts
Our 3 days include the 2 days in Avignon. Sorry about not being too clear on that. :(
Posted by
Paris
7216 posts
Where is the 3rd day, then?
Posted by
Long Beach, Ca, usa
1090 posts
Christy,
Rather than move to a different place for one day, I would just stay in Avignon that third night and day trip from there. In my opinion, Avignon doesn't have much to offer, but it is a good spot for finding day trips. Search this forum for ideas of where to go for the day.
Posted by
OP
4 posts
Is there a location you would recommend staying other than Avignon for those 3 days?
Posted by
Long Beach, Ca, usa
1090 posts
I prefer Arles, a more charming town with nice markets, Roman amphitheaters and sights, access to local tours (not as many as in Avignon, but enough), better ambience. Put Arles in the search bar above and you will find lots of comments. (Once there, click on Travel Forum, Rick's Blog, or Tips and Articles. You can filter by date for 6 months or more recent, or one year or more recent.)
My favorite town is St.Remy de Provence, but that is best if you have a car.
Posted by
OP
4 posts
Thank you!
Posted by
Denver, CO
779 posts
I stayed in Arles for four nights this last April, and was utterly charmed by it! I took a day trip to Nimes which is only a 17 min train ride away. Nimes also has a lot to offer.
Posted by
1006 posts
I stayed in Avignon and did not care for the place one bit (to put it mildly.) I found Arles far more charming and interesting, with some actual sights to boot. I would thoroughly recommend staying in Arles.
Getting around via public transport can be tricky. If you really want to get the most of your short time there, I would recommend booking a minivan tour or similar around the area. I had booked mine directly at Avignon’s TI, but I’m certain you could do similarly from Arles.
Posted by
Olympia, WA, USA
6711 posts
Avignon has better rail and bus connections to more Provence places of interest, but Arles is a pleasanter place to stay, especially if you have a car. Wherever you base, I'd recommend a car to give you flexibility when your time is limited.
Aurelien Clavero did a great job guiding us around Arles. I couldn't find a link just to him, using this one probably means paying a middleman something.
"Don't miss" ideas depend on your interests. I was into the Roman sites -- Arles, Nimes, Pont du Gard, St-Remy, Vaison-la-Romaine, Orange. The papal palace at Avignon is impressive but I've seen better. If you're especially interested in wine you have many choices but I can't help you with them.