Headed to France in September 2019. We’re planning to fly into Paris and out from Nice. Spending 9 nights, 8 full days in Paris. We were there last year and we’re doubling the time we had so I have a good handle on the Paris leg of our trip.
We’ll take the TSV to Avignon. From Avignon we will have 14 days to explore and fly home on day 15. I planned 3 days in Avignon including the day we arrive so about 2.5 days. Thought this would be enough to get a taste of the city and see the things we want to see. From here is where I really need some advice. I’m going to rent a car for the first time in Europe and only the third time ever. Based on time we’ll have the car for 6 nights turning it in on day 7 and then head to Nice for 4 nights. Reading the forum I chose Saint Remy as our home base and liked the looks and location of Hotel du Soleil et Spa. Our goal for this leg of the trip is to slow down, enjoy good food, shop a little, spend a lot of time outdoors and if we learn something it would be a bonus. So on to my dilemma, I want to take a boat ride along the Calanques. I know the boat is weather dependent. My first thought was to drop the car first thing in the morning at the train station in Marseille and take the first train we can to Cassis for a night hoping the boat is a go. I liked the idea of the train to reduce the amount of driving I’d have to do and I like the looks of Cassis but I could drive to Cassis if it makes more sense. Then the next day we’d train to Nice. But I’m wondering if it makes more sense to just stay in Marseille for the night and take the boat ride to the Calanques from there then take the train to Nice. Cassis is my first choice but does it sound reasonable?
Now about the car... I need an automatic transmission. I know I need to book early. Should I book now? I planned to book an early afternoon pickup. I looked up Europcar and I can get an automatic at the train station in Avignon and drop it off in Marseille or Cassis, not all companies had a drop center in Cassis. The cost listed was around $220 for the 6 days with another $100 for navigation and premium insurance for another $200. Other companies were comparable in cost. I know I need an international drivers license and I’m pretty sure I can get that at AAA. Should I pay now or pay later for the rental? Europcar puts a $300 hold on the credit card at pick up which won’t be a problem and I’ll bring a second card too. Insurance I suppose is my biggest question. I’m thinking I’d rather pay more for piece of mind but is it overkill? I’ll take dated pictures of the car before I leave the lot. Thank you for reading this long post. Anything I missed? Any advice or information would be greatly appreciated.
Any Nice hotel recommendations would also be appreciated. I believe we’d like to be near old town.