Request for advice - Provence itinerary

My primary question is - what is your plan for the days in Avignon? If you are mostly staying in the city since you won't have a car, seems like 4 nights might be a bit much (to me anyways - hopefully others can chime in if they agree/disagree). Once you've seen the Palais des Papes and walked out on the Pont, I personally am not sure what else you'd do in town (unless you are just looking for a place to relax for a few days - but other options might be better for that anyways?).

Several of the usual daytrips recommended from Avignon would overlap your other choices of places to stay, so wouldn't be a good use of your time. Pont du Gard, if on your list, is easier with a car, though I believe accessible by bus from Avignon. If you stayed an extra night in Uzes you could do these from there instead of from Avignon.

I would probably suggest staying somewhere like L'Isle-sur-la-Sorgue for a few of those nights you have set for Avignon, you can drive to the Avignon outskirts and take the bus to the central area for sightseeing if you want to go into Avignon proper from there. But then you are better located for Luberon daytrips, and might help eliminate some of the 1 or 2 night stays.

I agree with taking some time away from Avignon, and I suggest adding it to Vaison-l-R and to Marseilles.
I'd even consider taking a night from Aix and using it for Marseilles too.
Vaison has a lot more going for it than just wine!
Think of Marseilles as a warmer and less rainy version of Paris, too :-)

If I were you I'd cut days from Avignon, move your car rental up a day or two, and then do more day trips and less hotel hopping. Generally I think if places are less than an hour drive they're better as day trips and not worth a hotel move, unless there's something particular at night you want to see/do.

Something like this could work:
Avignon, 2-3 nights-- Pick up rental on 1st or 2nd day and day trip to Uze on one of those days
(Alternatively, pick up your car after the train arrival and stay in Uze 2-3 nights and day trip into Avignon)
3-4 nights in either Vaison-la-Romain or Luberon, maybe L'Isle-sur-la-Sorgue so you're closer to main roads, and do day trips from here
2-3 nights in Marseille (could stop in Aix on the way down)

Wow. I am very grateful for the fantastic advice. These suggestions are very helpful. I need to digest it all. Thsomething! much!

Avignon is a useful home base for Pont-du-Garde, Arles, and Isle-sur-Sorge but that’s about the extent of it. Four nights is definitely too much for the place. It ranks as my least favorite place in Europe. The Papal Palace is one of Europe’s greatest non-sights, don’t go inside. Honestly, I’d walk around Avignon, have lunch on Place de Corps-Saints, grab your car and move on.

You’re instincts are telling you there’s one too many stops here and I tend to agree. Cutting all those nights for Avignon will help. Otherwise, I haven’t been to Uzes so won’t talk you out if it, but stony, medieval villages are Provence’s stock-in-trade. You can probably have similar experiences staying somewhere else in the region.

Having a couple home bases makes a lot of sense though. I’m a huge fan of Vaison-la-Romaine. The ruins there are pretty great, and I would try to plan your time so that you wake up there on market day. It’s one of the best. The theater in Orange was also a highlight. Another base for exploring the Luberon is wise. St. Remy is also a popular choice. It’s situated between some popular towns, is a bit of a crossroads, and sounds like a nice place in its own right.

Thank you to everyone for your advice. I have modified my itinerary to the following.

Paris - 4 nights
Train to Lyon
Lyon - 3 nights (seems like an interesting city)
Train to Avignon; pick up car rental; drive to St Remy
St Remy-de-Provence - 4 nights (day trips galore: Arles, Pont du Gard, Luberon, etc)
Aix-en-Provence - 3 nights (day trips to Marseille, Cassis)
Return car to Marseille airport; fly home

I think this is a much more manageable plan that also provides flexibility to change our minds each day, based on weather, etc.
Thanks, again, for your help and input.

Your final plan looks good to me!
A small tip regarding the day trip to Marseille: driving in Marseille is difficult but driving to Marseille is convenient. Aim for "Vieux Port - Mucem" , "Vieux Port - La Criée" or " Cours Estienne d'Orves" parking garages and you will minimize trouble. The first one actually has its entrance directly off the A55 highway!

Haven’t been to Marseille but did a day trip to Cassis this past week. Great place to spend some time along the coast.

I'm glad you added Lyon - it's a beautiful city! It's very walkable and has a lot of interesting sites. I think your revised itinerary looks really good!

Just returned from 2 1/2 weeks in Provence. Here's my advice. Vaison-la-Romaine is awesome for both it's Roman ruins and it's medieval city. Definitely stay here. I would choose Roussillon over L'Isle sur la Sorgue. Roussillon is a beautiful small town, while L'Isle-sur-la-Sorgue is a small city. I didn't find Aix to be all that great; just beautiful people out strolling in a lovely city but not many "big ticket items" to see. It is within striking distance to other things (Les Baux, St Remy, etc...) but then so is Avignon. Avignon and Uzes are really close to each other also. We did stay in Moustiers-Sainte-Marie and it was lovely, but it is sort of out of the way for you. We flew into Nice and out of Marseille.

Hope this helps.

Try to visit Uzes on a Saturday so you can do the Saturday market. It is really wonderful with a lot of great energy. Then visit the medieval garden and climb the tower for a panoramic view and end the day doing a tour of the Duchy Mansion. Make a reservation to eat at "Ten" in their lovely courtyard. You would have a fabulous day!!

I have no advice to offer as I have not been to Provence, but I have fallen in love with France and bookmarking this great information for a future trip. We would love to hear about it upon your return!

Been to Avignon only to do Palais des Papes and walk around. A day trip is enough. Parking is a challenge.
I am going again to Provence in October. I am making a point of all the little villages on Luberon and environs you have all mentioned. Aix is, IMO, the second most beautiful city in France..the first being Paris, of course. Very cultured city and lots of fabulous architecture.

We just returned from our 2 week trip in Cote d'Azur. 1 week in Nice and areas near. 1 week in Provence. It depends on your activity level & how you see yourself vacationing: touring the ancient sights, , museums, architecture, hiking, enjoying the cuisine and drinks, or meandering the little known towns. We found it easy to drive and get aroung the the towns of Provence. Bit of trouble finding parking in the busier towns so plan for that and read RS advice for where to park,etc. Every route very scenic. We stayed in house in Eygalières and found the town so picturesque. Little hiking and great food. As for Avignon, my teenage daughter found the Palace of the Popes to be a highlight: learning lots about the history of each room using the histopad. Neat technology for a museum. You hold up the tablet and it shows the 13-14th century view of each room as you walk and audio plays as you move throughout the Palace.
I agree with the other post that Aix was a lot of pretty people walking around pretty city streets. It was, for us, good for a cafe stop on our drive back to Nice.
Les Baux, Arles, St.Remy other highlights. Wanted to get to Pont du Gard, Nimes, Isles Sur La Sorgue....but planning to next trip.
Can't go wrong with such a beautiful area of the world.
Good luck on the planning, IMO part of the fun in anticipation!
-Lynn

Avignon is a useful home base for Pont-du-Garde, Arles, and Isle-sur-Sorge but that’s about the extent of it. Four nights is definitely too much for the place. It ranks as my least favorite place in Europe. The Papal Palace is one of Europe’s greatest non-sights, don’t go inside.

awrzesinski, I'm curious why you feel this way. I haven't been but would like to someday. Can you elaborate?

Just got back from France and spent 2 nights in Cassis.... it was way too long. It might be worth a 1/2 day - maybe if you really need a ocean fix. Marseille? Again maybe worth a 1/2 day. I'm not sure the last stop of Aix would be my choice. I'd look to add nights to other locations.