Flying in and out of Nice and would like to stay in one town for duration or at most 3. OK with renting a car and/or using buses and trains. Problem is I cannot figure out where to stay.
Had thought Avignon but terribly uncertain as love living like a local in small towns but want to see a few sights too. Love the ocean over mountains.
Posted by
Ontario, Canada
5906 posts
Since it isn't practical to explore both Provence and the Riviera from a single place, I'd split it into 2 stays. Perhaps Nice and Avignon. You may not need a car on the Riviera, using public transportation (depending on the places you want to visit from there). A car IN Nice is a PITA. But you will most likely want a car to explore Provence, especially for the towns in the Luberon region. You might look at getting a gite in or around Isle sur la Sorgue instead of a hotel in a Provencal city. We did that some years ago, and had a fabulous time day tripping around the region.
Posted by
OP
3 posts
Thank you for this. So will do Nice and Avignon, although will now check out Isle de la Sorgue.
Posted by
Long Beach, Ca, usa
1694 posts
wmundie,
Yes to no car in Nice, and yes to a car in Provence. However, my preferences would be to stay in Arles rather than Avignon, a much more charming location, IMO. Search the forum for comparisons of the two. There are lots of discussions/opinions on where to base in this area. Isle-sur-la-Sorgue is not as optimal to me, but I love St. Remy de Provence. Check out the parking situations of wherever you are considering.
Bonne chance!
Posted by
California
14 posts
We stayed for a week in St. Remy-de-Provence last October and found it to be a great central location to explore Provence. From there we were easily able to visit many special places in Provence, including L'Isle-sur-la-Sorgue, Roussillon and Menerbes in the Luberon, Les Baux des Provence and Glanum, Pont du Gard and Nimes, to name just a few.
Posted by
OP
3 posts
This is all great information to have. Love the recommendations that I’ve received. Have even looked at Arles as a
Place to stay over Avignon but love the small towns. Thank you.
Posted by
Sacramento, California U.S.A.
10815 posts
I have stayed in both Arles and St. Remy. I enjoyed both, but if I went back I would choose St. Remy.
Posted by
Sacramento, California U.S.A.
10815 posts
I forgot to mention that while I’ve had a car both times in Provence we did not need one in Nice. We walked, took trams and buses, and took trains to visit other towns.