We get off a Viking Cruise on Sunday 10/25 at Avignon and are heading to Nice. We would like to see some sites on the way to Nice. We are looking for options, maybe renting a private car, a half day tour and then train to Nice or opher options. Please suggestions options and sites to see. Or if maybe this is unreasonable and we should just head to Nice. TIA
Update: we disembark at 9 am Sunday.
What time will your boat arrive and when will you be done debarking? By renting a private car, do you mean with a driver? That would be very expensive if you have a person drive you to Nice. It is a 260 km drive, taking almost 3 hours with no stops or traffic problems. If you are considering renting a car and driving yourself, I would choose to stop in Aix-en-Provence, for lunch perhaps. Spend a couple of hours in Aix, including lunch. From there to Nice take all the rest of the day. This, of course, is dependent on when you get started.
What are you looking to see on a half day tour? Avignon sights, Nimes, Arles, Pont de Gard, Luberon villages? Some of these are out of the way of a direct drive to Nice, so will take more time and get you started later.
The train from Avignon to NIce can take from 3 1/2 hours to (most of them) 4 1/2 hours. From Arles to Nice 4 1/2 hours. (These entail changes.)
I suggest looking at a detailed map of the area to narrow down what you would like to see or experience between Avignon and Nice. You will have to pick and choose from among many options and allow for the train or auto travel time.
If you opt to rent a car in Avignon and drop it in Nice, the drop-off fee for a different location shouldn't be much. Get a good map of the area (e.g. Michelin #527) and choose one or two places to park and explore a long the way. We drive the D roads to enjoy the countryside, rather than the Autoroutes (A roads usually). As far as what to see a long the way, depending on when you leave Avignon, you could go to Lourmarin (nice village with a chateau), then Aix, then Nice. If you leave early enough you should be able to drive without pressure along the way. Actual drive time could be as short as just over three hours (no stopping or sightseeing and mostly on the autoroute), or 6-8 hours with sightseeing and lunch along the way.
P.S. Parking in Nice is a pain. On arrival go to the airport to drop your car and take a taxi or public transportation to your hotel. There is a tram line from the airport to Nice Centre.
Thank you for the detail reply. we disembark at 9 am.
We were thinking of hiring a driver but that sounds unresonable. I like the idea of driving and will definitely get the mpa you recommend.
thanks
