Hi! We plan to arrive in Paris around 11 in the morning during the month of February. We will rent a car to drive to Arles. We only want to spend 3 days on the road to Arles. And 3 days in Arles as our point to travel out from. We would like to see Marseille and also interested in Any archeology points of interest. Does anybody have any suggestions regard where we should stop for the night and any points of interest. Thank you.
Posted by
Paris
7701 posts
In February, after what I assume is a long flight from overseas, I would make a beeline to the south of France, and the best way to do so is by train.
CDG to Avignon TGV takes about 3.5 hours, compared to 7.5 hours by road, and the Arles region deserves more than 3 days.
If you want to break the journey, you could spend 2 days in Lyon.
Posted by
IJzendijke, The Netherlands
2305 posts
Worth visiting are the remains of the Gallo-Roman town of Alesia and nearby Muséoparc Alésia. It’s famous for the battle between Vercingetorix and Julius Ceasar. As it was a very close call it’s regarded as one of the most influential battles in European history. It was very well possible that Ceasar was defeated and wouldn’t have survived it. So what would have been the impact on history?
https://www.alesia.com/lieux-de-visite-en/#vestiges
Still have to visit it is the archeological site of Biberacte. West of Dijon it’s a bit in the middle of nowhere, but seems worth to visit.
In Dijon there is a museum about archaeology about several periods, no idea how intersting it is. Most sites in France are named Gallo-Roman, so google this will give a lot of results.
Posted by
Moncton NB
1370 posts
Paris to Arles is only a 7 hour drive, so unless a stop along the way particularly appeals to you, you could easily do it one day. But if you are going to do it in one day, I would ditto the recommendation to take the TGV to Avignon or Marseille and rent a car from there.
Personally I would stop overnight, or even for longer, in the Dijon / Beaune area, because that is an area I've always wanted to see. And its about halfway between Paris and Arles.
From Arles you are spoiled for choice on sidetrips (Aix, Avignon, Nimes, the Camargue), but the one thing I would not miss is the Pont du Gard (Roman acqueduct) between Nimes and Avignon.
Posted by
San Diego, California, USA
1799 posts
In and around Arles:
Glanum: Gallo/Greek/Roman ruins just outside St Remy.
Les Baux: Ruined castle carved into the hillside rock - also close to St Remy.
Theater at Orange: Worth the stop to explore the theater. (Near Vaison)
Vaison al Romaine: Cool old town on the hill with the Roman bridge still in use, new town with Roman ruins scattered through it. For bonus points notice the Roman drains that are still part of the current drainage system.
Nimes: Arena and museum.
Lyon: Intact Roman Theater and Orpheum and really good Roman museum.
Pont du Gard: Huge valley spanning aqueduct and museum.
Arles: Arena, theater and various other sites.
Have a great trip,
=Tod
Posted by
OP
2 posts
Thank you all for your great input. It is all very helpful.