Day trips.... Avignon & Paris

With only four nights in Paris, I wouldn't be looking for a side trip.

Whether Versailles is something you should do on some trip to France depends on your own interests. It certainly doesn't align with mine.

Have you ever been to Paris? If not, I say stick to Paris for your short stay. If yes, then a day trip may make sense, and in that case, I do recommend Versailles...it is really more of a one half to 3/4 day trip, best to go in the morning after breakfast, see what you will see, and then get back to Paris mid afternoon for maybe some walking around time and a nice dinner.

For Avignon, there are lots of local mini bus tour companies that offer half day and full day trips in the region, I recommend that arrangement over a DIY day trip with a rent car...some of the places you would want to drive to do not have convenient parking, your tour driver will drop you off and pick you up at a designated and convenient spot, no fussing with a rental yourself.

I agree with the others, with 4 days there is so much to see in Paris I'd not do a day trip. I also am of the opinion that NOTHING is a must do for anyone! Pick what seems interesting to you and will make you enjoy Paris!

Versailles is not my favorite place although I know many love it and feel it's a must do. It's crowded beyond belief and always feels really hot to me inside the palace. I like the gardens better, particularly Marie Antoinette's Hamlet (farm buildings) but still not worth taking a day away from the 4 you have in Paris.

Thanks, to all.... no, never been to Paris, I know it is huge. I am fine not to do day trip from there. Sometimes I over think things. We are not museum lovers and I really am sure I would not enjoy the crowds at Versailles.

Agree with the others, no need to daytrip out of Paris. Versailles is amazing, but if you skipped it to spend more time in Paris proper I would not consider that a mistake or anything.

Avignon is a different story. Multiple day trips are appropriate. Arles would be my #1 day trip, especially if you can be there for a market day. There’s plenty to see and is the easiest place to reach. There are trains almost hourly. Aix is far, too far for a comfortable day trip. There are an array of minibus/van tours that run out of Avignon’s tourist office. If you’re not renting a car, these are a great option and honestly the best way to see Pont du Garde among other sites. Isle-sur-La-Sorge is also nearby and a popular, easy visit. If you have car, your options really open up. If you’re able, I would rent a car for Provence.

In regards to hotels, we stayed at the Bristol this past summer. It was fine, a very easy walk from the Centre train station. The breakfasts were good, and the room decent. We had a room overlooking the street, so it did get a bit noisy late at night with stragglers from the local bars, but not enough to keep me awake all night. Many restaurant options nearby. Staff was pleasant. There are two stations in Avignon so make sure you take train to Avignon Centre. You did not say how you were getting around. This is based on using train only. Arles is an easy trip up the tracks from Avignon. St. Remy can be reached by bus from Avignon (again, unless you have a car.) You can also train to L’Isle-sur-Sorgue which is nice. Nimes and Orange are other options for day trips by train from Avignon. We did not find Versailles a must do at all. Four days will pass quickly in Paris. While the 11th is not an area we would choose, others here might can comment on the Ibis Bastille. The train from Paris to Avignon is easy (you will change trains at Avignon TGV station to get to Avignon Centre). Be sure and book the train all the way through to Centre. Are you flying in and out of Paris?

We had a fabulous day trip from Avignon that visited Pont Du Gard, Arles, Baux de Provence and included a stop at a Chateau Neuf de Pape vineyard. We booked it via Viatour and were lucky enough to be the only people in the van. The tour guide, who was a young man named Nico, was fantastic. This covered all the bases for us and was good value.

Just a word about Viator....it's a 3rd party tour reseller owned by Trip Advisor. You can do research on the Viator site but each "tour" page gives the name of the actual company running it. I would book directly with the company instead of giving Viator 20-25% of the tour amount. That's having to be made up somewhere either with higher prices or coming out of the tour company's pocket.

I've not stayed in Avignon but visited there from a stay in Arles. I'd vote for a visit to Arles as well particularly if you enjoy Roman Ruins or Van Gogh sites!

Thanks all for the valuable insight.

If you stay in Avignon, I highly recommend Provence Panorama for day trips. We took 2 day tours back in 2015, and both were absolutely wonderful. The current reviews reflect the same positive experience.

https://www.provence-panorama.com/en/tours-reguliers.html

The best day trip from Avignon, in my opinion, would be to Pont du Gard. But don't limit yourself. I don't know what your stamina is, but, if you can, consider seeing multiple sites in one day. Avoid the van tours and rent a car or take the train. From a base in Arles, I've done:

Day 1: Orange and Avignon
Day 2: Le Beaux, St Remy (including the roman ruins and Van Gogh hosptial)
Day 3: Pont du Gard, Nimes

Thanks, again for all the ideas.. We will be traveling by train but are discussing renting a car for our few days in Avignon. A little background for us.. We are mid-60's. We are in good shape and walking 10 miles+ a days is not a problem for us. We like history, architecture, good wine and people watching. We usually don't do museums.

Day trips I've done, enjoyed, and can recommend.

From Paris:
Caen (and the D-Day beaches), for history (train to Caen, rent car from there)
Etretat or Harfleur, for seaside beauty
Blois (or any of the Loire towns) for chateaux, rivers, wine

From Avignon (all need a car, really)
Pont du Gard (and Nimes), for Roman architecture
L'Isle sur le Sorgue (and the Luberon) for Provencal beauty, lavender, market towns.

Caen (and the D-Day beaches), for history (train to Caen, rent car from there)
Etretat or Harfleur, for seaside beauty
Blois (or any of the Loire towns) for chateaux, rivers, wine

Of course, it's a matter of opinion. But I think these are all too far for an effective, high-yielding daytrip, especially without a car at the destination. One trick with the Loire, for instance, is that the rental agencies might be closed for lunch when your train gets there. As you know, car rental rates are quite high since the Pandemic. I agree that for 4 days, stay with Paris. You may have to stand in line, using up time, at many of your attractions.