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Paris-Provence-French Riviera for 18 Days

To Begin, we will fly into Paris and out of Nice.
We spend three nights in Paris(Hotel Muguet), then take the TGV to Avignon. We spend three nights in Avignon(Villa Pauline). The plan was to explore Avignon the 1st day, then rent a car and day trip to Pont du Gard and Nimes the 2nd day. We could not get our preferred location in Arles(le calendal) until our 8th night, so we are planning a night in Gordes(La Ferme De La Huppe), then off to Arles for the next four nights. We wanted one day to explore The Camargue, one day to explore some hill towns(Les Baux and/or St. Remy?) and a day and a half in Arles. From Arles, we drive to Vence for three nights(La Maison du Frene). We want to take one day to explore Canyon du Verdon and another day to explore more hill towns(not confirmed?) and/or Vence and St. Paul de Vence. We then finish our trip in Nice for three nights(Palais Saleya). We will keep the car for one more day (to explore more hill towns?) then turn in car and spend final two days in and around Nice.
After reading many reviews and comments, as well as watching RS on TV, we are wondering:

  • Are we spending too many days with a rented car? We just didn't know how to do all of the hill town exploring without one, even though there will be some days where we are not driving. Thoughts?
  • Are we spending too much time in Avignon/Arles cities, when we could otherwise base in Luberon and/or Cotes du Rhone and explore Avignon/Arles as day trips?
  • Trip scheduled for late April/2025

(We are seniors, traveling on our own; both able to walk long distances). Thank you for your comments/suggestions.

Posted by
248 posts

I’m so glad you are staying at La Ferme de la Huppe! We spent 3 lovely nights here. Be sure and get reservations for dinner! We did a day trip to Arles one day, and spent one day exploring the Luberon Valley: Roussillon, the Village des Bories, L’Isle-sur-la-Sorgue (lunch at a cafe on the river), Fontaine de Vancluse, Abbaye Notre-Dame de Senanque, drove through Gordes (we had already been there the night before for dinner) and back to the bnb. It was a full day and we didn’t feel like getting back out for dinner. They accommodated us with a fabulous charcuterie board in the bar pavilion. If possible, I would extend your stay here to at least 2 nights - maybe take one from Avignon?
IMO, I would turn the car in and train to Nice, and use the train there to explore the coastal towns.