Avignon as a base for day trips

I was there over 10 years ago, so I don't know the schedules now. But at the time, I saw Nimes and Orange as daytrips from Avignon without difficulty, and getting from Arles to Avignon (I had several nights in each) was very easy. I can't speak to Gordes or Rousillon.

If you are using Rick's books, be sure to get his Provence And The French Riviera. It has MUCH more information on this region than his general France book, including transit specifics for the places he covers. (I see from the details on this website that the Provence etc book does cover all the places you listed; go to https://store.ricksteves.com/shop/p/provence-guidebook and look at "What's Included").

Try Rome2Rio to find train and bus routings. I would think it is a good base, though. I spent a few nights in Arles last year and day tripped to Avignon (train) and from there to Pont du Gard (bus).

Avignon was a great base last year for a side trip to Arles......quick and easy train ride

Public transportation to Gordes and Roussillon will be much less frequent than to the other places if it exists at all. It might be necessary to take a tour to reach those spots; I am not sure. Starting with Rome2Rio is a good suggestion. Keep drilling down until you get to a link to the bus company's website, which is where you should be able to find schedule information. Be careful about day of week, holidays and time of year. Some bus transportation in Provence may run only during peak season.

I wouldn't pick Avignon as a base, but if you are without a car it is the closest thing to a transit hub for the region.

Frequent trains to Arles, Nimes, Orange.

Less frequent buses into the Luberon.

I used Avignon as a base and it worked well, though I was not a fan of the place. Trains to Arles and Nimes are very easy, and last train from Arles was fairly late, allowing you to enjoy dinner there.

When you get to the busses to the smaller destinations, such as Orange or Pont du Garde, it gets less easy. There’s usually direct enough routes, but not many. It can also depend on time of year. Most of these busses serve local school children, so when school is in session there’s more busses. You’re also at the mercy of special holidays or strikes (I got both!)

Avignon’s TI was very helpful sorting out the schedules. They also offer minibus excursions in the region. While they are not my style, I went on one and saw a lot that I would never have managed on my own with public transport. I found it worthwhile, and a good value.

If you can be flexible in your planning public transport is doable. Honestly, if I could do it over again I would have rented a car.

Like Barbra, I quite liked Avignon. Perhaps you need to be there long enough to get off the direct path from the train station to the Palais des Papes? I don't know. But I very much enjoyed several multi-hour walks through the side streets.

I wouldn't pick Avignon as a base, but if you are without a car it is the closest thing to a transit hub for the region.

That's my opinion also. Years ago we stayed in St. Remy for a week w/o a car, and most of our day trips took us through Avignon to pick up either a bus or a train. I know we went to Isle sur la Sorgue. I can't remember the other places, but I know they weren't Gordes or Roussillon.

St.-Remy is a pretty place, but as a town without a train station, it is not a very convenient base for a car-less tourist who wants to see places other than Avignon and Arles.

http://www.avignon-tourisme.com/home-1-2.html

The Avignon tourism official office is very helpful, both on-line and over-the-counter, with advice about tours of the surrounding area . It is located on Rue de la Republique, about half way between the city gate for the old train station and the square for l'Horlogue.

Thanks to all for these responses!