I posted this already, but probably on the wrong forum.
We’re 2 couples planning an April trip to Provence for one week. We want to have a home base for the week and wondering if Arles is the best located. Also, is it better to rent an Airbnb or do a small hotel.
If anyone has a recommendation for a day guide, I’m interested.
Posted by
Ontario, Canada
368 posts
We based ourselves in Avignon earlier this month & loved it & its market. Great restaurant recommendations, ambience & shopping. Day trips included Roussillon (ochre cliffs), Les Baux Carrieres Lumieres, St Remy, Pont du Gard & Arles. We stayed here literally beside the Palais des Papes, included a parking space in the building, highly recommended .. https://www.airbnb.ca/rooms/4046745
Posted by
13 posts
I guess it depends on what you're most interested in seeing... We based ourselves in Aix-en-Provence, renting a lovely airbnb house that had a pool. We did day trips to Arles, Cassis (Les Calanques!) and the Luberon Villages. (Only in Provence 4 days.) The tour we used for the day of the Luberon Villages was called Tylene Tours https://www.provencereservation.com/en. They had a lot of nice sounding itineraries. We did like Arles a lot, but I'm happy we stayed in Aix. Haven't been to Avignon so can't comment there! Enjoy!
Posted by
shingle springs, CA, USA
782 posts
We based in Arles and had a view of the Rhone River fron our window and day tripped to The Camargue,Gordes,Roussillon,Loumarin,Nimes,Uzes,Les Baux,Pont du Gard and Avignon.We were there seven nights and had a car and really enjoyed Arles as a bar,lots of good Restaurants.
Mike
Posted by
OP
3 posts
Thanks everyone for your input. We will have a car but will also will use the train.
Posted by
Somerville, MA
653 posts
Hi there. I would recommend searching the archives for this. If you do, you will find a slight preference for st Remy over arles with Avignon and aix in 3rd and 4th place - this is a popular question on the forum.
I have made a drive time matrix of the region to help with this question, which I can send you if you like.
For a house rental, if you are interested in cooking, I would recommend a house/flat. If not, it likely won't matter either way.
Matt
Posted by
Seattle, WA, USA
360 posts
We based out of L'Isle sur la Sorgue and really enjoyed it, as it wasn't as congested as Arles or Avignon, but it's large enough to have shops/restaurants to walk to. Plus, you're already there for one of the biggest Sunday markets in the area :) It was right in the middle of the area, so we easily got to many of smaller towns over the course of our trip. And the creek that runs through was just perfect for dipping tired feet into at night (with a nice glass of wine!).
Posted by
Boston
4132 posts
I think Arles is a strong choice, but your car also gives you other options for smaller towns (such as St. Remy).
Here's an exercise that might be informative: Plot your day trips on a map and look for a place that is more or less in the geographic center.
Sure, you can see the Rhone Valley from Aix (it's doable), but you'd be better off just staying in the Rhone Valley, if that's where most of your day trips are.
Renting an apartment can be great--many require 7-day occupancy, weekend to weekend.