I have read a recent post (today) about travel from Arles in spring , before buses run to places like la Camargue & St. Remy de Provence. My travel is soon, April 1st, and I will be arriving by train on April 5th from Strasbourg to Avignon. My preference was to stay a few nights in St.Remy before I go to an apartment in Arles. I am aware of the transportation issue but hoped I could get a cab from the train station in Avignon to the hotel in St. Remy, for two nights. Likewise when leaving I planned on a cab directly to Arles. Anyone who is familiar with this area does this make sense in April? We will not be doing car rentals on this holiday and are aware of limitations. I think it is possible to get a local train from Avignon to Arles ? A second thought was to spend the two nights in Avignon. many thanks
Posted by
Denver, CO
303 posts
Sheila, I won't be there until May 1, but what are the transportation issues around Arles, that you speak of? Thank you.
Posted by
OP
19 posts
A previous post from today mentioned (no buses from Arles) running until June to some of the smaller villages such as St Remy de Provence etc. I had read this as well elsewhere , maybe another source. Have a wonderful trip.
Posted by
France Southwest
1821 posts
Below you will find the bus and train map of the region. (in PDF file) The places with the SNCF logo are the train stations.
The numbers are the bus line numbers. Between Arles and Saint Rémy there are two bus lines, the 704 and the 707.
Many buses operate all year round for residents and schoolchildren.
You can also use this website to see the lines and the map with the location of all bus stops:
https://services-zou.maregionsud.fr/en/
On the left of the page choose "Lines and points of interest", then select Lines, then in the "Networks" drop-down menu select Zou! Proximity.
Regarding train lines see on the sncf connect website:
Posted by
OP
19 posts
Thanks so much, I really appreciate. I cannot find a hotel i like ( available) in Avignon & much prefer what I have found in St Remy.
I have read that these buses that run for residents & school children may not be so great for tourists with luggage. What do you think?
I need to work on my husband for this extra step! Thanks again, appreciate your response,
Posted by
France Southwest
1821 posts
Don't worry, you won't be the first tourists to travel by bus with luggage! Locals also sometimes have luggage. The buses are designed for that.
See below a (boring) video from bus 704 between Saint Rémy de Provence and Arles filmed by a bus enthusiast :-))
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zPGq6JXmfJ4&ab_channel=Transportsdu13
Posted by
Chicago
8063 posts
Have you checked train routes? We did some day tripping in the region from Montpellier and there were trains to all these major places.
Posted by
France Southwest
1821 posts
There is no train station in Saint Rémy de Provence.
The only way to get there by public transport is by bus.
Posted by
Chicago
8063 posts
I'd pick a city to stay in that has a train station if I didn't have a car. Buses are not reliable in rural areas.
Posted by
France Southwest
1821 posts
Buses are not reliable in rural areas.
I don't know from what experience you have this information, I live in a rural area like millions of other people and I can guarantee you that in a daily use buses are more reliable than trains.
Since the SNCF preferred to invest in TGVs rather than in local lines, the train in rural areas is a real nightmare due to cancellations without notice, strikes, breakdowns, and frequent delays.
This is the main reason why people prefer to take their car