Hello all, we will arrive in Marseilles on a Saturday in September, rent a car and head to Avignon for four nights-reservation made. Our Flight arrives between 11:30-4, depending on the flight we ultimately choose. For Sunday it makes sense to spend it seeing Avignon, getting acclimated and rested. My question is, what would be two logical driving loops for sightseeing on Monday and Tuesday? Wednesday we train to Lyon (may drive but turn in car when we get there) for three nights, then on to Paris for eight.
The Luberon is an obvious one, perhaps head right to Roussillon early morning, then maybe to the winery in the RS Provence book-Domaine du Tara-through Gordes and L'Isle sur la Sorgue, maybe rent bikes and do the canoe's there. Winery and canoe idea's are just that-idea's.
The next day becomes more challenging, with so much left to see. There is Arles, Nimes, Pont du Gard, Uzes, but it's too much for a day. Just mapping it works out to 2.5 hours of driving, and I doubt if that is realistic time-wise, probably like driving in Ireland? We are not much interested in blasting through places without absorbing a bit while there. We want to take it easy in Provence, and we'll work harder in Paris. As I say, we may keep the car and drive to Lyon on Wednesday; so we could hit Orange on the way for lunch and a walk and still have just a two hour drive to Lyon on the A7.
If you had two full days, based in Avignon, and didn't wish to spend all your time driving from place to place, what would you do?
Posted by
Pensacola
9110 posts
For the second day, try Arles, Aiges-mortes, Pont du Gard, Nimes, Orange.
Drop Orange at the end if you're running short. Drop Arles at the beginning if you're not a die-hard adherent to Mr Steves.
Actually, you could bump into Arles on the way up from Marseille. (Usually no 'S' on the end)
One day is not much for the Luberon. You need to study up on the area from other sources.
If you're going to Lyon, just drive up. Orange would work fine then in that case.
Posted by
OP
Eugene, Oregon...Formerly Ventura, CA
2262 posts
Thanks Ed, mostly it's just hard to know how long it really takes to get somewhere. With a few hundred great places and time only for five or ten, maybe spending both days seeing the Luberon makes sense too. We will be back someday.
Hoping to hear from more who have done it. Thanks again.
Dave
Posted by
L'Occitanie, France
10629 posts
If arriving in Marseille, it makes more sense to stay in Arles on Saturday and maybe even Sunday, to see Arles and Nimes, and then Monday morning head directly to the sites in the Luberon. Check into your Avignon hotel Monday evening and sightsee the Luberon again on Tuesday. IMHO, if I had only two days in the Luberon, I don't think I'd spend it in a winery, and believe me, I love wine, but it is something I could do in California (or even here in Indiana). I would use the time to see these hill towns and 2,000 year old ruins that we don't have in the States. After that, your idea of stopping in Orange on your way to Lyon is a good one. Don't miss the spectacular Roman theater in Orange--perhaps you could picnic inside this ancient structure.
Posted by
OP
Eugene, Oregon...Formerly Ventura, CA
2262 posts
Thanks Bets, I like the picnic idea. I'm kind of set on the idea of the four nights at Avignon, we really like to "park it" and not move around a bunch. If we go without some sights, we just have to come back! We can do Nimes and possibly Arles on Monday, then a long day in the small towns to the east Tuesday, with Orange en route Wednesday. You're right about the winery thing; but, really-wineries in Indiana? Who knew?
Dave
Posted by
Toledo, Ohio, US
11613 posts
I don't know if you can picnic inside the amphitheatre in Orange (archeological sites are cracking down on this practice), but there is a very good restaurant built into the side of the amphitheatre.