Hello ,
I will be going to Provence early May 2023. There will be 5 of us.
We are first boating for a few days on the Canal Du Midi and then heading to Provence for 4 days and then the Riviera for 4 days.
Should our base in Provence be Arles or Avignon? We definitely want to visit the Camargue; see Bull racing in Arles, Spring Truffle hunt and see the Pont du Gard. Should we get a car or use public transport? How is parking in this area. We have used cars in Sicily, Cinque Terre, Amalfi and really thought they were more issues that they were worth.
Thanks!
p2
Posted by
Paris
7301 posts
Bullfighting in Arles only happens a few times a year: at the Easter and September ferias for sure, and maybe at a handful of other times but I am not sure about that!
Both Arles and Avignon could work for you without a car. Driving is much better than in the Italian locations you list (out of the car-free Avignon & Arles city centers), and parking is plentiful, but it is not necessary to drive to see the sights.
You might just want to rent a car for the day to your Camargue. Driving there is super easy.
Pont du Gard is accessible by bus from Avignon, by train+bus from Arles.
As for "spring truffle hunt", is this a tour you've seen? I do not remember spring being peak truffle season, but I am not a specialist.
Posted by
1038 posts
Having visited Provence via public transit, I would recommend a car. Particularly based on what you liar as your sightseeing priorities, I’m not sure how you effectively do without one. And with a group, it seems like a no brainer. There are public busses to Pont du Garde, but they are few and far between. When I was there, the bus line was on strike (there’s always the unexpected.)
If you really, really don’t want to deal with it, there are plenty of half & full day minivan tours that you can book. I used one of these that covered Pont du Garde and Les Baux and was satisfied, decent value. If you choose not to rent a car, Avignon makes the better base (though otherwise I would avoid the place.) With a car, your accommodation options open up a lot. St. Remy is a popular choice as a base for those with a car, and well positioned for your sightseeing priorities.
Posted by
Gulf Coast, usa
1191 posts
We were in Avignon in May and did not have a car. We were able to visit Arles via train (short ride), and a had public transport to Isle Sur la Sourge. There is a bus to St. Remy. We stayed at a hotel very close to the train station that allowed us easy access to day trips. We decided not to get a car as the rental prices were sky-high at that time. We looked at renting a car and driving from Nice to Avignon area, but the cost of the rental and the drop-off fee made no sense, so we just made it work with public transport, which wasn't all that bad. With a car, it might be easier to visit those off-the-beaten-path villages. We found Avignon itself to be nice, and enjoyed our stay there.