Arles vs Avignon For Chateauneuf Du Pape, Coast & Provence?

Posted by craig (prior lake, mn) on 03/28/08 04:45 AM

Trying to figure out where to base for 3 nights in the south of France. I'm a wine geek so I'd like to spend 1/2 a day up in Chateauneuf Du Pape but I'd also like to see the ruins in Arles and possibly hit the coast on a day trip? Too ambitious? Do I need to stay in 2 diff places?

I plan to arrive somewhere via TGV from Paris and then rent a car on day #2 so we can roam...make sense? Figure the car would only be a pain on day one when arrving by train.

Would I be better off in a really samll village somewhere in the middle of everything? Don't know the area or how much geography I'm dealing with.

Your thoughts?

Posted by craig OP

prior lake, mn

03/28/08 04:57 AM

43 posts

I forgot to mention that we plan to go onto Chinque Terra Italy via train after we spend our 3 nights in the south of France.

Posted by Eric

Ardmore, PA, US

03/28/08 05:40 AM

225 posts

We rented an apartment about 10 minutes outside of Aix-en-Provence and rented a car at the Aix TGV station. We did day trips to St. Tropez and back (a full day), Avignon and Pont du Gard (a full day), Cassis (half day), etc. Aix is about 20 minutes or so from Marseille and also a short drive from Arles (an hour or so I think).

I can't speak highly enough of the location, but I'm sure there are similar central points from which to launch your travels.

Posted by Adam

Boston

03/28/08 06:49 AM

4132 posts

I think it's a really close call and they are all good options.

Avignon is on the TGV line and about 25 minutes closer to the Rhone vineyards. On the other hand Arles is a bit smaller and more accessible--and is one of the places you want to see. And it's closer to the coast.

A small town has it charms and would be the easiest in and out with a car on the days you are driving. However, most rentals are for a week, so your options are limited to hotels and chambres d'hotes.

I guess my advice would be Arles, by a hair. But if there is some small town you have read about where the idea of spending the evenings and mornings is just irresistible, then stay there even if that means a little extra driving.

You really can't go wrong either way.

Posted by Sue

Springfield, VA, USA

03/28/08 06:51 AM

283 posts

We have stayed in that area a lot. You can rent the car right at the TGV station, which is outside of town. CDP is fantastic and takes a car to get there. Do your research on the wine, as there are lots of place to buy it, and much cheaper that the US. We usually stay in Sablet, about 30 minutes north of Avignon. But everything is fairly easy to get to.

If you are into wine, I would suggest a trip to Gigondas, Vacquayras, etc. Beautiful area amd the wine is spectacular. Try some local rose and you will be hooked.

Posted by craig OP

prior lake, mn

03/28/08 04:40 PM

43 posts

Thanks everyone for your replys. I'm off the deep end on wine but I'm not sure my wife and son would allow me to visit Gigadondas and Vacqueray too. Much as I'd love too! I'd like to do a couple places in CDP like Charvin and Ussiglio or Clos Des pape and call it a day.

Is there one great no hassle coastal town we should visit?

Do most people grab the car at the train station upon arrival?

Posted by Adam

Boston

03/29/08 10:16 AM

4132 posts

Craig, Provence is not really a coastal place despite its proximity to the sea. Marseilles is coastal, and in its way great, but not a town. The Camargue, and Sts. Marie de la Mere, is interesting but probably does not merit a visit on a thee-day trip. You might try Cassis.

Whether to get a car right off might depend on whether you plan to use it that day.