Hello, I will be in avignon in end of June for 3 nights and 2.5 days. No car. I went to san gimignano and cinque terre italy last year so want to see something in france which looks a bit different. Day 1 in avignon: explore either arles or day trip to 2 villages such as St Remy and Les baux via taxi (cheaper than guided van tour). Day 2: day trip to Gordes and roussilon via guided tour in a van. Day 3: chill in avignon for few hrs then train to paris at 4 pm. What do u guys think? I didn't want to tour all 4 villages on same day as it may become exhausting. If seeing Gordes and roussilon via guided tour, then are St Remy and Les baux really necessary or should I just see arles as it would be different from other places.
Posted by
Colorado Mountains, USA
8767 posts
All four are worthwhile villages, although if you’re looking for things that are completely different from San Gimignano, both Gordes and Les Baux may remind you a bit of it. Saint Rémy is delightful, and just down the road (well before you would reach Les Baux) are two other sights. The small asylum where Van Gogh spent time recovering and painting, along with the peaceful garden out back where he sought some solace, was worth a visit. A little farther south is Glanum, the archeological site of an ancient Roman settlement, with ruins and some surviving columns and an impressive arch.
If you were to skip the guided van tour, I’d suggest visiting Arles one day and Saint Rémy the next, with nearby sights, which could either include Les Baux or not.
Posted by
OP
12 posts
Ya that's what it seems like. So on day 1 thinking of seeing St Remy (plus/minus les baux) via taxi from avignon. And on Day 2: day trip to Gordes and roussilon via guided tour in a van for 5-6 hrs. Day 3: chill in avignon for few hrs then train to paris at 4 pm. So st remy will be a better experience over arles given my itinerary? i am guessing arles will be similar to avignon so may be redundant. after this, i will have 5 full days and 6 nights in paris. Day trip to colmar possible on one of those days via high speed train that takes 2.5 hrs? I might squeeze in just one of the alsace villages with colmar via taxi ride if possible. It seems colmar can be easily seen in 5-6 hrs. thanks.
Posted by
Idaho, USA
9632 posts
When we stayed at Avignon we took one of the half-day van tours of a few villages & stopped briefly at the lavender fields. Another day we took the bus out to Pont du Gard. Another place we went was taking the train over to Nimes to see the Roman arena, Maison Carree, etc.
Posted by
Washington, DC USA
943 posts
I did not find Avignon and Arles redundant. Avignon has a well preserved medieval core whereas Arles has impressive Roman ruins right in the center of town, as does Nimes. Arles is only a 20 minute train ride from Avignon. As already mentioned, Pont du Gard is another great day trip from Avignon. I did not make it to St. Remy. When I did a half day (1 pm - 7 pm) small group van tour from Avignon that included Rousillon and Gordes, I had enough time before the tour that day to cover the sights I wanted in Avignon, including the 2 self-guided walking tours in the RS guidebook. You will have a great trip whichever options you choose!