I'm headed to Provence in a few weeks with my fiancé and we have not decided on a home base. We want to see Nimes, Avignon, and Pont du Gard. We fly into Lyon and plan to stay there two nights (get in on a Friday). We have four days after that (before we go to a wedding). Two questions - does anyone have a suggestion regarding a home base for the four days? We were contemplating Nimes or Avignon and then taking day trips. Another option under consideration was Saint Remy. Second question - Should we try to fit in Marseilles?
Suggestions welcome! Thanks in advance!!
Posted by
Washington DC
27111 posts
Are you renting a car? (Rental rates are very high now.) St-Remy would definitely not be a good idea for four days without a car; it has no train station, just bus service. You can get there readily from Avignon or Arles by bus, but having to start each day with a bus trip on the way to Nimes, Pont du Gard, etc., would be a time-waster.
Where is the wedding? Can you spend four nights at your Provence base, or do you need to spend the fourth night elsewhere, near the wedding venue?
On such a short trip, I'd tend to skip Marseille this time around.
What's your departure airport?
Posted by
880 posts
Having a car in this area determines a lot. If you have one it makes things way easier. Provence is kind of your oyster. Without a car, Avignon is the most logical base. It’s easy access from Lyon, regular trains to Nimes, Arles, and bus access elsewhere. It’s the primary transportation hub on the Rhône. There’s also a selection of minivan tours you can take that include Pont-du-Garde. I’m not a fan of the town itself, but it’s convenient sightseeing makes it worthwhile.
Marseilles is kind of far from everything else you’re talking about, and frankly quite divisive among tourists. If you were looking to go a little further afield, Aix sounds like a better option. Or, visit Orange or Vaison-la-Romaine. There’s a lot to see in the region.