Provence planning is tough!

Posted by veryspecialquilts on 02/09/25 09:43 PM

Hi.
I could use some feedback, please.
There is so much to see in Provence, there can not possibly be enough time, even in a lifetime!
To fly in and out of Paris, I think I'll begin and end in Avignon to catch the fast AGV trains.
I have 15 nights. How does this look, can anything be combined?

Avignon 2 nights - city, Orange
Arles 4 nights - city, Van Gogh sites, St Remy, Le Baux
L'Isle du la Sorgue 3 nights - with car see small villages, lavender
Aix 2 nights - city
Avignon 3 nites - art museums, Nimes, Pont du G.
Paris 1 nite/CDG airport

RS book and the DK Eyewitness guide are very helpful, but real experience is always best!

Thanks very much.
Lee

Posted by Laurie Beth

Twin Cities, Minnesota

02/09/25 10:12 PM

2092 posts

I was in Provence in 2023 & took TGV from Avignon direct to CDG and it was a great & efficient way to end my wonderful trip. You've got some great sites on your itinerary. I was only in Avignon 2 nights and it was plenty for me. It just didn't have that wonderful Provence restful vibe IMO, but I loved Aix and Arles.

Posted by Judy

Long Beach, Ca, usa

02/10/25 05:09 AM

1686 posts

Are you renting a car the whole time or using bus/train systems to go places some of the time?

Posted by veryspecialquilts OP

02/10/25 02:36 PM

120 posts

The car:
I was planning on getting one before or in L'Isle de la Sorgue to explore the hill towns. I understand there are small group tours available eliminating the need for a car - but driving in this area would be preferable. I enjoy photography.

I'm open to your suggestions. So we need a car elsewhere? Do we get it in L'Isle de la Sorgue or before?

About the restfulness of Avignon:
This has been a tough decision. I've read it's a great base and also that it is not for that non-Provencal feeling. It does seem to have easy public transport & tours to the northwestern areas of interest. I'm using Avignon as a base for Orange, PduGard, and Nimes. Are there better bases for them using tours or public transport?

Avignon also seems like it offers the fastest, direct TVG trains to Paris CDG, so I need to be there at the beginning and end of my trip.

Is Avignon similar to Paris, for the city feeling? Or more like NYC/London in busyness and gritty areas?

Thanks very much! I appreciate your help.
Lee

Posted by Cynthia

Gig Harbor, Washington, USA

02/10/25 06:39 PM

1897 posts

I do extensive research before our over-the-pond trips. We had a lovely time in Provence. Here is what we did (we had a car), maybe you will find it helpful: We stayed at La Bastide in Saint Didier. Google pictures of it - I chose it because it looked picture perfect for a Provence location. The little village had a couple of bistros which served really good dinners. From there we did several day trips which varied between 70 and 140 miles round trip. Uzes and Pont du Gard 110 miles. St. Remy and Les Baux 70 miles. Chauvet Cave recreation (outstanding!) and Vaison La Romain 140 miles. Aix and Rousillon 115 miles. Several of the famous villages and the lavender abbey (forget its name) are quite close to Saint Didier. We never visited any of the larger cities. Provence was very hot (90s) in September - be sure the place you stay has air conditioning.

Posted by ChristineH

Gettysburg PA

02/10/25 06:55 PM

7574 posts

We didn’t care much at all for Avignon
I’d move on on arrival and stay in Nimes for a few nights
Put Avignon at end so you are near TGV for departure

Parking and driving in/out of Avignon, Arles and Nimes is a pain
Car for L’Isle sur-la-Sorgue works but I am pretty sure you’ll have to pick up/drop off at Avignon TGV

Check AutoEurope.com
All drivers will need an IDP