Recommendations for seeing the Mediterranean as day trip from Avignon

Avignon is much too far from the Mediterranean for a day trip.
Find a place on the coast and stay at least overnight.

Check out the day trips near Avignon. Many are interesting.
Go to the TI and see what they offer.

Not too far at all. It is only 27 minutes to Marseille on the TGV; connect there with a local train to Cassis. Total travel time, a little over an hour. Cassis is supposed to be a nice little fishing village, with a harbor and a small beach. The beautiful calanques (limestone fjords) are close by, and can be seen by boat. We haven't been there yet, but I am looking at Cassis for our next trip.

Not sure why FM is saying it is too far for a day trip. Marseille is about 75 miles and just over an hour drive time. And some areas are closer. Easy with a car. The harbor at Marseille has undergone a major rehab. And you have the big castle on the hill. Marseille would make an easy day trip. And you could probably did it via public transit. To be sure I would have to do some checking.

Lola, Your advice is well given.

But why not stay and see Marseilles? The port is vibrant.
And just think of the classic movies that took place there.

Thanks Frank, It is just the way I look at things.

Day trips in the Avignon area are to be absorbed and the history of the city itself. I don't like to rush.

And Marseilles is one of my favorite places. Again not to be rushed.
Charles Trenet's "La Mer" and Francis Cabrel's "Said et Mohammed" give 2 different flavors.

Depends what they enjoy most doing.

Thanks all. I was baffled by the first reply -- an hour drive time is certainly what I consider a day trip. Anyway, I will investigate both Marseille and Cassis.
Cheers,
Sherrie

If you get a car, you might consider driving through Arles and the Camargue to Stes. Maries-de-la-Mer. It's not that far, about 75 km, but public transportation by bus takes awhile.

When we were in the area, we stayed in Aix-en-Provence and drove as far east as Cannes and as far west as Pont du Gard, but we mostly drove as close to the water as we could.

But then, the closest grocery store to where we live is about 35 miles away, so driving isn't a big deal to us.

I like Lo's idea. The Carmague is very interesting and I love the little beach town there. Also you might see the flamingos and the white horses. It s a wonderful place to spend a day. I do enjoy Marsailles, but it is a lot different feel being a port town. A much bigger city and a rather gritty feeling.

I agree with Tk about the difference between a city and a small port town. Having stayed six months in Cassis, I'd go for either the Camargue and Stes. Maries de la Mer or Cassis, but they are very different geographically. The first is flat; the second is the mountains plunging into the sea. Only good choices. BTW, I really like Marseille, too, but for other activities.

Thanks y'all. Would it change your advice if I said we were primarily interested in nature/sea views, with a little village exploration on the side? It sounds like Cassis might be the better fit. In other places we have traveled we always love the villages most. Oh, and we will have a rental car.

Just one other thing: if you are going in July or August, Cassis can be a zoo on the weekend. It's a weekend destination for locals. Much better to go during the week. I don't know about St. Maries de la Mer on the weekend.

Another vote, if you have a car, to head through the Camargue and have lunch in les Saintes Marie de la Mer. And it's definitely not too far to do as a day trip, since I've done it myself.