My wife and I are traveling to Paris this spring. Our current itinerary includes six nights in Paris, 3 nights in Nice and 3 nights in a Avignon. We have been toying with the idea of replacing the 3-night stay in Nice stay with a trip to Luasanne via the TVG to get a taste of Switzerland, The rationale being that we don't know if we'll get a chance to go there to Switzerland in the future.
I realize we would be giving up the riviera experience, but wondering if it would be worthwhile to take the Switzerland option and a couple day trips into the heart of the country.
Thanks!
Posted by
Washington DC
27161 posts
I have no particular preference for Switzerland vs. Nice, but most folks who go to Switzerland want to see the high-Alpine country, whereas Lausanne is on Lake Geneva.
My concern is that 3 nights is an awfully short time in Nice, because folks tend not to go to Nice just to see Nice--they want to see other coastal towns and cute hill villages. Three nights (not much more than two days, given the length of the trip from Paris) won't be enough time to see a lot of the area around Nice.
Similarly, 3 nights is a very short stay in Avignon. Provence has many intriguing destinations, and you won't have time to see very many of them. The trip from Nice to Avignon involves over 4 hours actually on trains. By the time you add the hotel check-out process, getting to the train station ahead of departure time, and later getting from the Avignon station to your hotel, closer to six hours will have evaporated. That means, again, not much more than two days to see Provence.
Where were you planning to go after Avignon?
Posted by
OP
9 posts
Thanks for the helpful information. We will be taking the train back to Paris and stay one night near the airport and fly out the next day.
Perhaps a better plan may be the 6 nights in Paris and 5 or 6 nights in Avignon.
Posted by
464 posts
We really enjoyed time in the Nice area. There are so many charming villages that are easy to get to from Nice by regional train or bus. Villefranche sure Mer was a favorite of ours, as well as St. Jean Cap Ferrat, Eze, and Monaco. You could also go to Antibes and Cannes. Paris and the French Riviera near Nice would be a great trip.
Posted by
Washington DC
27161 posts
I think you'll find lots to enjoy with 5 or 6 nights in either Nice or Avignon.
In case it matters to you, the trip to Avignon from Paris would be considerably faster than traveling to Nice--between 3 and 4 hours vs. almost 6 hours, or more. On the other hand, transportation around the Riviera is arguably somewhat simpler than in Provence, because there's a train line running along the coast. But I think Provence may have a greater variety of sights. I'd have a hard time deciding between those two options myself, having spent time in both areas in 2017.
Posted by
OP
9 posts
Thanks everyone. We have decided to use Avignon as the base for touring Provence. .
Posted by
Kentucky
31 posts
We spent three weeks this summer in Provence and La Cote d'Azur. If I had only 6 days for Provence, I would not base my trip in Avignon. I would choose St. Remy or the hill towns of the Luberon. Avignon has so much commercial space surrounding it and, in my opinion, only maybe a half day of things to explore within the "old city".
Posted by
L'Occitanie, France
10208 posts
I agree with grmurphy. Avignon's advantage is that it's a local train and bus hub. However, many of the buses have limited hours. To enjoy Provence, staying in one of the smaller towns and using a car would be preferable.
On the other hand, reaching the attractions along the Riviera can be done by local train and bus which run frequently.