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Touring Provence

We're driving from Nice overland to St. Remy, Les Baux, Nimes and Pont du Gard. As I read about these destinations, they seem worthy of a visit but probably won't take long to see each site. We plan to stay overnight in either Nimes or Avignon so day two would start with a couple of hours in Avignon (we've been before), then head back to Nice along the coast, maybe stopping briefly in Aix (been before) and Hyeres.
Is this overly ambitious?
We'd prefer to stay overnight in Avignon but would that be too much to squeeze into day 1? Better to stay in Nimes and drive to Avignon in the morning?

On a previous trip we've seen Aix, Avignon. Isle sur la Sorgue, Gord, Arles, Marseilles.

Thanks for your advice.

Posted by
3940 posts

We spent a few hours at Les Baux (but we were there in early Oct, and it looks like in the summer there may be demonstrations and whatnot that you may want to watch - not knowing what time of year you are travelling). You may also want to stop into Glanum for some more Roman ruins - it's along the way Les Baux - we spent about 30-45 min there.

We did Pont du Gard twice - first time with a tour and I think we had about 45 min. Last year, we did it on our own and spent a little longer walking around, taking photos, walking one of the trails up to the top of the Pont, and spent about an hour. The little museum/info center was closed when we arrived but you may spend 15 min in there.

Posted by
16893 posts

I personally would not go back to Avignon for a few hours but would focus on destinations that are new to you. The drive from Nimes takes at least 45 minutes, only part can be done by AutoRoute, otherwise lots of roundabout intersections, and of course you'll pay for parking. I also think you could spend few hours at Les Baux and the relatively new museum at the Pont du Gard will add to the sightseeing time there.