Working our way from Nice, after our stay there, towards Lyon to pick up our river cruise. Would stay in either one, but would like any input to which place would allow for the best access to surrounding interesting towns and time spent in the city itself. We would then take the train to Lyon so best train access may be a factor, although I’m sure both places have good train connections? Thank you.
Posted by
Vermont
15 posts
Arles. We stayed in the more urban Avignon and wished we had stayed in Arles.
Posted by
NorCal
461 posts
Another vote for Arles, walking along Roman artifacts and Van Gogh inspirations.
Posted by
Chicago
9268 posts
We really disliked Avignon and loved our very brief time in Arles -- so another vote for Arles:
https://janettravels.wordpress.com/2016/11/20/quick-stop-in-arles/
Posted by
Bellingham, WA
1248 posts
This is the perennial question. I stayed in Avignon (in an apartment outside the walls but walking distance to the center) and did a day trip to Arles. I was happy with my choice, but I can see where Avignon can be "done" as a day trip. So my advice would be to look at accommodations in both and decide on that basis. You really can't go wrong either way, except by only staying two nights (because then you miss out on the day trip to the other one). If you're trying to see these two cities, plus "surrounding interesting towns" in just 2-3 days, maybe you should rent a car from Nice, dropping in Lyon, and staying one night in 2-3 places along the route.
Posted by
1228 posts
100% Arles. Avignon remains my least favorite destination in 20 years of European travel. I wouldn’t even bother with a day trip. Loved my day in Arles. Hopefully you’re there on a market day.
Posted by
la la land...
1322 posts
I like Avignon, been there once, and I used it as a home base to day trip around Provence on a 5 day visit. Spent one afternoon in Arles, that was enough for me...
Posted by
San Diego, California, USA
1619 posts
I prefer Arles to Avignon but Avignon is more of a transportation hub and better connected to the surrounding area. If you wanted to take a wine tour or something you'll have many more options out of Avignon.
If you're only staying for 2-3 nights then you only have 1 or 2 full days so you won't be taking too many day trips so I would base it on which town you find more interesting. Arles is more "blue collar" and less polished that Avignon, but I enjoy the city and the Van Gogh connection more than the shopping and restaurants of Avignon. But for a couple of days both are nice, you could always still in one and day trip to the other and see which one you like more for next time.
Nimes is a nice bigger city day trip by train and St Remy is great smaller Provence town but would require a bus from either place. Do your best to experience a market day in Provence if the timing works out for you.
Be aware that Avignon Centre and Avignon TGV are two separate stations and you may need to do the 8 minute transfer between the two when switching to or from the local regional trains to the fast TGV trains.
Have a great trip,
=Tod
Posted by
46 posts
We stayed in Avignon for two nights, motivated in part by the series of books by Lawrence Durrell (called the Avignon series; less well received than his Alexandria quartet). We anticipated that the Palace of the Popes wouldn't be that interesting, and do not regret having skipped it--though an apperitif in the spacious plaza out front was an entertaining time. We received what Avignon had to offer, mostly walking the side streets and spending the couple of evenings we had in the town in the leafy public squares. We enjoyed ourselves.
We visited Arles as a day-trip, which coincided with a public festival that was fun to mix with. We also watched the French version of a bullfight, also fun. If we returned to the area I'd probably look to spend a night or more in Arles and perhaps do a daytrip to Avignon.