Hi everyone: Looking for suggestions and tips for three days in Provence inclusive of half day when arriving from Paris. Prefer not to stay in Avignon really want to stay in Arles but also get to Pont du Gard and back in one day then maybe second day bike riding in the country side (with 12 and 14 years old so nothing too elaborate maybe a 5 to 10 mile loop?) Want to coordinate all on public transit sounds like Arles not car friendly. In Rick's book looks like can get to Pont du Gard via Nimes (is there a better way) with bus maybe train/bus connection. Would it be better through Avignon? Overall, was thinking first day in half day could be spend poking around Arles then second day Pont du Gard and back then third day country side somehow bike or bus. Then very early train out the following morning. Many thanks!
Posted by
northern CA
2458 posts
That might be too much time transiting and too little sightseeing -- since you have a group size larger than two, consider combining the Pont du Gard goal and the outdoors goal and the transport goal by joining one of the many kayak-trailering vans that take people upstream of the bridge for a float down the river, and then see if they'll allow you a layover hour or two to check out the Pont du Gard museum and bridge. That way you save day three for more Arles, which is worth it -- the half-day you have scheduled at the start is not enough time, especially with kids, who might enjoy the bull-chasing at the arena and the please-touch exhibits at the archaeology museum...
Posted by
US Pacific Northwest
10344 posts
What you want to do is going to be much easier with a car. .
Arles is okay with a car, if you pick lodging that is car friendly (i.e., not in the historic core, and/or the hotel will facilitate your parking and park it in a secure overnight lot). I've done it that way.
Posted by
Toledo, Ohio, US
11613 posts
I visited Pont du Gard by public bus. The rafting trip might be great fun for your family, I would suggest a van transport package since the bus schedule is infrequent.
Posted by
OP
USA
17 posts
Thanks really like the idea of the rafting; is it a slow moving kind of journey don't have to be boat savvy? We are all good swimmers, however! If we go the route of a car, would it be easy enough to rent in Avignon or Arles any experience with that see that there is at least one car rental at the train station in Arles so that might make an easy exit from the city for a day rental? I wonder too if with a car if there might be other recommended places to stay such as St. Remy or Les Baux? Rick's book has lots of good suggestions but if anyone has more insight that is very welcomed!
Posted by
Florida (previously California)
3695 posts
If you insist on using mass transit, consider going from Arles to Avignon because there are more trains between the two and the trip is shorter. From Avignon, there is a bus to Pont du Gard (line 15). However, I don't think that Arles is really so car unfriendly that you have to use mass transit for this trip.
Posted by
US Pacific Northwest
10344 posts
Yes, with a car you have more choices of where to sleep/home base.
I've rented and returned a car at the Arles train station.
Posted by
Toledo, Ohio, US
11613 posts
I used Nimes as a home base, the city is interesting and has lots of bus/train options. For rafting, it's a slowish glide down a rather shallow river (it was in July), but everyone in your group must be able to swim 25 meters, as I recall.
I would book the tour with a company I can meet up with on site and rent a car so I could spend as much time as I wanted.
Posted by
Idaho, USA
7282 posts
We were staying in Avignon and took the bus to the Pont du Gard. Our hotel manager called the canoe company (we were next to him in the hotel lobby) and arranged for them to meet us at the bus stop at Pont du Gard. When we arrived at the Pont du Gard, there was no there. We ended up touring the area and enjoying our afternoon, but I would definitely recommend driving there if you want to ensure that you're able to take a canoe down the shallow river.
Posted by
Slidell, LA
553 posts
If you want to go city center to city center take the train (be sure in Avignon that you don't go to the TGV station which is on the outskirts of town). Sounds like to me that you're trying to squeeze a lot into a very short period of time there. Two years ago we spent a week in a farmhouse in St. Remy and every day we drove in a different direction from there. Each area was completely different and more enjoyable than the last. Easy to get to by car, the Pont du Gard is a definite must see and you'll want to spend some time there. Take the time for your kids to go through the museum there which shows how the Romans built it. Next, go to Nimes and show them where the water from the aqueduct entered the city. Done in reverse it will not mean as much to your children. Then take the time to explore Nimes on foot, something we failed to do. I believe the car will be more fun for your family because you can turn on a dime and go in another direction on a whim. Make sure you have a GPS, which some cars include and others cost extra (I took my Garmin from home and downloaded Europe maps on it) and good map (Rick sells Michelin). Mark your expected routes on it and also make a little note pad with road numbers and exits you'll need. Driving in France is easy and you won't be sorry. Hertz is at the TGV in Avignon and you can book it before you leave. Not sure about car rentals in other towns. FYI, you will want to come back to Provence because once there you'll realize you are only scratching the surface. After a week with my wife and her mother I am finally going back solo in September to do all the things I didn't get to do with them, picking up my car from Hertz in Nice and turning it in in Avignon. I hope this helps. Have a great time.
Posted by
OP
USA
17 posts
Thank you so much this is all super helpful. Looking into car rental this week. I emailed and heard back from the canoe company so looking into that as well. So much appreciate the insights; this is all valuable in shaping out the details. I don't think we can go wrong with any option just have to be real to the expectations. A day in Provence in late spring is a day not to be missed :) just so happy to be able to be there!