3 adults will spend approximately 8 days. Recommendations, please, for what to do/see in & around Lyon & also in & around Avignon. Will just be coming off busy full WW II tour & looking for more relaxation, wine, day trips. Definitely want to visit Châteauneuf-du-Pape. Any B&B or apartment recommendations? Can we travel by train between Lyon & Avignon? Is trip to Carcassonne west of Avignon doable & worth it?
Posted by
Wisconsin, USA
148 posts
You can travel by train from Lyon to Avignon.
Arles is a quick train ride away if you want to wander around Roman buildings. Or Nimes or Orange.
We rented electric bikes in Orange to ride along the Rhone and along the country roads into Châteauneuf-du-Pape.
Posted by
Idaho, USA
7802 posts
We took the train from Avignon over to Nimes to see some of the historical places - La Maison Caree, the Roman Arena, the Temple of Diana, etc.
Another day, we took the bus from Avignon out to Pont du Gard and enjoyed a relaxing afternoon there.
We took a mini-van half-day tour from Avignon out to see the Luberon villages, plus the lavendar field. It’s been long enough that I can’t remember which tour group company we used for that half day.
We really enjoyed our time in Lyon, going through the Traboules - read about their history & usage ahead of time. There’s some great museums in Lyon! Probably easiest for you to check those on TripAdvisor to see which ones perk your interest.
For relaxation, we enjoyed some days in lovely Annecy in case you want another place to go visit.
Posted by
L'Occitanie, France
10621 posts
The train from Avignon to Carcassonne is long, three hours each way.
Posted by
Maine
18 posts
If you spend any nights in Arles, check out Hotel de la Muette. 3 of us (all adults) booked a family room for 3 nights last September. We each had our own bed (two of us even had doubles all to ourselves), and the bathroom was spacious. Perfectly located to explore the city, and we took a day trip by taxi to Les Baux. There are a number of tour companies that offer wine excursions from both Arles and Avignon, but we didn't end up booking with any of them. There's a hidden gin distillery/tasting room in Arles that we stopped into - didn't stay for a taste, but the courtyard was charming. I can't remember the name. There's also a great bar right next to the Arena in Arles where we had an afternoon carafe of wine. The building is covered in ivy, but I don't recall the name.
Posted by
SoCal
1140 posts
Lyon, as you know, is the center of French gastronomy. So if your palates and bank balance permit, you may consider dining in one of the 21 Michelin starred restaurants in the city, headlined by Restaurant Paul Bocuse. You should also visit Les Halles Bocuse to see where the restaurateurs of the city obtain much of their raw material. Also be sure to visit La Croix Rousse neighborhood.
Posted by
Windsor, Ontario, Canada
4087 posts
In the past the Avignon tourism office has been quite helpful, both for city sights and part-day excursions in the region. Its office is near the centre of the walled city or try on-line.