Provence

The TGV from Gare de Lyon can take you to Avignon or Arles, among other places. I personally think Avignon isn't as charming as Arles, or many other places in Provence, but besides the Palais de Papes and the bridge, it seems to have the most choices for day trips to the many sights and towns in the area.
Whatever you decide, the things I would choose to visit are: Les Baux, Pont de Gard, Nimes, St Remy de Provence, Gordes, Roussillon, Arles, lavender fields (if during the right time of year), wineries (e.g.Chateau-Neuf-de-Pape), the Camargue, Bandol (on the coast), Luberon towns.....so many sights to see, so little time!

It's like looking in a patisserie window when your sweet tooth is speaking to you.

Clabbott,
I forgot to add...we always use a car in Provence (unless in Marseille) and prefer the freedom of driving around at our leisure. Also, in the long run, it is cheaper than paying for tours. We are pretty familiar with Provence, so are comfortable driving, but it isn't difficult to get from here to there, and we like the non-Autoroute roads, the D roads. If you can, rent a car when you leave the train in say, Avignon, and stay in a more charming town. Then drop it off the day before flying home. Take a TGV to Paris that day to spend the night before your flight home.

We really liked staying in Arles. We took a day trip one day to Avignon and were happy we chose Arles…Judy described our impression of Avignon. We also visited Isle sur la Sorgue, Les Baux, St, Remy and Roussillon, Aix, and The Sénanque Abbey surrounded by lavender (seasonal). Avignon may have better train connections for day trips but the train from Arles to Avignon was only about 30 minutes when we needed to travel out of Avignon. We did have a car in Arles and it was easy driving to all sights we chose. This was all a few years ago but we liked the Hôtel de l'Amphithéâtre in Arles who had a reasonably priced arrangement with the municipal parking garage perhaps a 10 minute walk away from the hotel. You might reconsider driving as it really was easy and contributed a lot to our visit. Safe travels.

It depends a little on what “a few days” means and what kind of sightseeing you’re prepared to do. I’d suggest either Arles or Aix over Avignon (Avignon is a real bummer.) Arles has some great sights and huge market. I haven’t been to Aix, but it’s well loved. Driving is fairly easy in the region, and Arles is perhaps a bit better positioned as a base should you drive. Though with a car, the real move would be to stay in a smaller town.

I’d also suggest an overnight in Lyon. Cool city and a different experience, but on the same TGV line.

Regardless of where you stay you will need a car in Provence. It is much like Tuscany in Italy. Rural area with small/medium towns sprinkled between each other and sights. Driving is like that in rural United States...two land roads with a smattering of freeways enjoy!

Avignon is the transportation hub of western Provence. From there, you can easily travel, by public transportation, to just about any of the most compelling points of interest. Plan for the Music Festival if you are there in June.

If you have a car, my answer will be different.

I actually loved staying in Avignon, I think it is a charming city. I spent at least a couple of days just wandering the streets and came across things like little old water mills that I didn't even know were there. I rented a bicycle on a Sunday afternoon and pedaled along the Rhône River for hours. There is park situated high above the river which is beautiful for picnic or an evening stroll. The Palais de Papes really isn't to be missed, it is breathtaking

Avignon is right on the train line - I've never rented a car in France, so that is important to me. From there I took a bus to Arles and St. Remy for a day trip.

I also enjoyed Nîmes, it is quite a beautiful city in a different way - very stately and classical with the Roman architecture and the serenely beautiful gardens of the fountains. It is also right on the train line - and from there you can take day trips by bus (if you don't have a car) to places like Uzès.

Just another person's opinion here but you can experience Provence - especially a first trip - without a car. There are enough places on accessible by train that you can get the feel for it. If/when you come back and you want to range further afield a car does start to become more useful. Check the RS comments and itineraries in Provence and decide what you want to see and do.

The big towns on the train are Avignon, Arles, and Nimes but there are also Orange and many smaller towns and you can easily put together a first or short trip and the feel for it. Buses connect to even smaller towns but unless there is a "must see" site or activity I would stick to trains.

To echo what others have said Avignon is the best connected place for trips and trains. Avignon has countless little quaint little courtyards with cafes and restaurants seemingly everywhere you look. It has shopping areas with marble streets and good permanent market Les Halles. And I just don't vibe with Avignon for some reason. I was just there for 3 nights for all the reasons listed here and my experience was the same. It's not something I can put my finger on or describe clearly and obviously other people have the opposite reaction so I guess it is personal. There are many things to recommend Avignon and your experience may well be very different.

As other people have said I prefer Arles as a city - although it is more blue collar, scruffier and less fancy than Avignon it just appeals to me more. I think it was Rick who said 'you are either an Avignon person or an Arles person' and I guess the only way to find out is to go and find out for yourself. On a train based trip with a "few days" I would recommend a couple of days in each Avignon and Arles with maybe a day trip to Nimes or Port du Gard depending on your interests. My interests run to Roman ruins so Arles obviously has a leg up on Avignon with me but my Roman ruin tour itinerary is very different advice. You could also do a bus day trip to someplace like Saint Remy which I enjoy very much as a town or do a wine tour since it is a very wine rich area - you'll pass through Châteauneuf-du-Pape on the train.

I would work to schedule attending at least Provencal market day if you can - Saturdays in Arles - because markets days are an experience in and of themselves. Markets are generally earlier like 8am-1pm so it's best to be in the town they are in so you can get out early and not hassle with transportation and later in the day crowds.

Hope that helps, have a great trip,
=Tod

After a tour it’s time to relax and enjoy the French art of living life. I’d take the TGV to Aix-en-Provence, stay 3 nights. Enjoy the many outdoor markets, the Paul Cézanne studio (Aterier de Cezanne), the Granet Museum, leisurely lunches, fabulous rosès, a fantastic tourism center.

There is direct TGV service between Aix and Charles de Gaulle. If more time take train to Avignon - very walkable, beautiful city.
No need to rent a car, public transportation is easy.
Use the SNCF Direct app for trains. TGV Aix is not in town , but there is convenient bus between the station and town every 15 minutes, approximately $4-6.

Plus, Aix-en-Provence is very romantic.