Arles or Avignon for 2-3 nights?

Arles. We stayed in the more urban Avignon and wished we had stayed in Arles.

Another vote for Arles, walking along Roman artifacts and Van Gogh inspirations.

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/

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.

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.

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...

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

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.

I was in both in September 2023. I strongly preferred Avignon over Arles. I found Arles dirty. You can see the main attractions in Arles in a single day so if you want to see it, stay in Avignon and take the train down for a day. We found the day trips out of Avignon excellent. Really liked Orange, which was a total surprise. Also, Gordes and Abbaye Notre-Dame de Sénanque, as well as the Pont du Gard. There is more around Avignon than Arles

I'm pretty sure it was Rick that said "You're either and Avignon person or an Arles person..." and this thread reflects that. It's about a 50/50 split and the choice is clear for everyone with no one saying "I liked them both about the same."

And while it's interesting it's probably not very helpful when you're trying to decide. The only way to know which you are is to go visit both and find out for yourself. And then you can post about your favorite and (not) help others when they ask.

Good luck, the good news is it's hard to go wrong in Provence,
=Tod

Hi,

Adding my two cents. You don't list your ages, interests or hobbies so it's tough to give solid advice. I've been to both and enjoyed them both. Based on your post, I'd go with Avignon: both cities are close to one another, and to Aix, and I'm pretty sure you can get to both of those and Orange (nice Roman theatre) relatively easy. However, I also like Avignon because it is closer to the Pont du Gard - I rented a car at the train station there, but there is bus that goes to Pont du Gard, as well.

I don't think you'll be disappointed regardless of which one you choose.