We will be based in L'Isle sur la Sorge and taking day trips to Avignon, Arles, Aix, Rouissillon, Pont du Gard, St. Remy etc; Not having driven in France before, we would appreciate any tips/advice on parking at these popular spots. We plan on parking for the day then walking around each town. Thanks so much!
Posted by
Northamptonshire, England
33848 posts
Use the provided car parks on the outskirts. Some may be free, some you will pay.
You will find little if any free on-street parking in most places.
Posted by
OP
9 posts
Thanks Nigel! I was concerned about the safety of using lots........apparently Avignon has some crime issues.
Posted by
Montreal, Quebec, Canada
8293 posts
"...... Avignon has some crime issues." Really? So does my city. As does yours. Don't leave anything of value in your car. Simple.
Posted by
Franklin, TN, USA
920 posts
Look for a parking lot and make certain you can understand how to get in and out of it! We were extra careful with our rental car to check the lots out well and make certain there was no doubt that the lots we used were legal! It was pouring rain the day we went to the market at L’Isle sur la Sorgue....we thought we found an empty lot to park but there were not enough public markings so we went to another....so glad we did as the first one was probably a private one. BTW, that market at L’Isle sur la Sorgue was THE BEST.
Posted by
OP
9 posts
Thanks so much for your input - much appreciated! I am looking forward to the market on Sunday - our hotel is in town so we'll be able to walk there, plus it has its own parking lot, a good thing :-)
Posted by
Lake Forest, CA, USA
1633 posts
For Rouissillon, when you approach the town, you will see parking lot signs. Sometimes, there are several lots and the further I drive towards, or into the town, I find a closer lot. Just depends on the day and time of year. For Pont du Gard, they have a car park at the sight. If you are going to Van Gogh's site in St. Remy, there is parking right there. For larger towns such as Avignon, Arles, Aix, etc. sometimes the Rick Steves' tour book will have a map of the town with the car parks indicated. I set my GPS for that street, or car park name, and it takes me right there. The other option is to googlemap the town and zoom in a lot to find the car parks indicated by a P. Then I program my GPS for those.
When I arrive in a town, I always look for the large car park or tourist parking lot. I never park in a lot where there is a municipal building which are reserved for city workers. Also, when I arrive at a car park in any town, I look around for parking signs or a kiosk which indicates whether I need to pay, or not. If I'm not sure, I try to ask someone. France is generally pretty good about free parking in a designated lot. However, still look around. Better safe then get a ticket back in the States.
Hope this helps and enjoy your trip. I have driven all over France and you will be fine.