Driving around Provence

Renting a car is a great idea if you want to explore the smaller towns and villages in Provence. We found the driving easy but did have a GPS which helped us find our way. We didn't have any trouble parking in the smaller villages.

I agree with Grier. It's really the easiest way to get around the south of France. And I've rarely found parking to be a problem (market day in some of the towns can be a little challenging finding parking). Just be warned though... you need to be able to drive a manual transmission. It's very difficult and very expensive to find a rental car with automatic tranmission in France.

Thank you for your replies. Would you recommend any good car rental agencies, we have been looking at Auto Europe and any advice on what kind of insurance we should sign up for the rental.

We just returned from Provence-actually started in Beaune and rented the car there. Parking was a real challenge everywhere so I would advise getting a smaller car. We drove for an hour to find a parking spot in Arles. We returned the car in Avignon(train sta) and that was fairly easy so you should not have a problem getting your car there.

Sonia: The best and easiest place to pick up a rental car in Provence is at the Avignon-TGV station, where the bullet trains from Paris arrive. In the huge parking lot outside the station are kiosks for every car rental company imaginable. If you have any chance of finding an auto transmission car it will be here. You may want to websurf the big ones...Hertz, Avis, Alamo, etc to compare prices and models and possibly reserve before you leave home. The Avignon TGV station is in the suburbs of Avignon, so within minutes you are out in the countryside.
Driving in Provence is a joy. Watch out for "roundabouts" or traffic circles...we always went around and around until we were certain which exit to take. Keep a good map or GPS handy, but remember that directional signs do not emphasize route numbers, but towns in the same direction. (think of Interstate highway exit signs, which say things like "Baltimore" versus "Richmond". Parking in pay lots...look for a big P was always easy to find. You'll have a wonderful time!

Thank you to all of you who took the time to reply. I guess we shall be renting a car in Avignon after all!:)

We've rented a car three times in France and had an automatic transmission each time. We reserved in advance with Hertz. Sorry I don't recall what the price difference was.

We booked an automatic transmission rental for this September through Auto Europe. It cost much more than a manual, and they said we had to pick it up at an airport location. We also had to prepay because they have to have the car delivered. That said, the fee to drop off at another location (pick up Lyon airport, drop off Toulouse airport) was (if I remember correctly), only thirty euros.

As others have said, a car is a real plus. Avignon is a fine place to pick up, but don't assume you must do so if a different spot works better for you. Check with Auto Europe and other agencies to see what is possible. Also, if you are arriving in Avignon (or Marseilles, or Arles) on day 1, don't rent the car until you need it on Day 2 (or whenever). This will save you a day, and a car is a hassle in the cities. On the other hand, a car will let you base yourself in a small town, in which case you can just get your car at the station and drive to your base. I have never had to pay a drop-off fee for a different return location.

I have never had to pay to drop off a car at another location until this year. The difference was that I rented from AutoEuope.Uk/EU, rather than AE here in the US. We usually use AutoEurope here is the US, but used the EU site this year 'cause we could get "complete" insurance for a super lo price, but .........the drop-off fee and the $100EU they charged us to "fill the car up and bring it back empty" more than eliminated my savings. Next time I'll just use the free insurance provided by my VISA. Sonia, we went thru AE and picked up our car in Avignon, and dropped it off elswhere. It was a a"piece of cake" picking it up in Avignon. We took our GPS (Use a GPS that you are familiar with). Also take a Michelin fold out map of France and a compass. Drving is easy, just don't rent some huge "boat", or for that matter, do not rent the smallest car you can find (we almost got killed in a small under-powered rental one year....what a story that is....)

Thank you for your replies. Will look up Auto Europe and try to call VISA and see what insurance we already have. We have been reading Rick Steve's Provence guide and see that we may need the car only for Luberon hill towns, the rest I think we may visit by train. We plan one day for Arles, Nimes and Pont Du Gard, one day for Luberon, one for Cotes Du Phone and the last day for Calanques and Cassis. We fly out of Marseilles on the 5th day early morning. Any advise on the above plan will be appreciated. If you know of a day tour that definately takes us to Gordes and Rousillon, we will prefer that. Last year in Italy we took a day tour of Tuscany and they skipped Montepulciano much to our dismay claiming no parking for the bus. So we did not want to miss out on Luberon, hence the plan for a car. Thanks
Sonia

Sonia, I cannot imagine trying any of those day itineraries by train. Arles-Nimes-Pont du Gard by train? Driving is so easy. Pick up and drop at Avignon TGV is so easy. When comparing AutoEurope, be certain to read their full disclosure first. They omit road taxes in UK form their estimates of total cost. Rick's book gives a nice circle drive in Cotes du Rhone area which is very nice. No way that can be done by train. You have never revealed where you will arrive or where you will stay. Whether it be Paris or Marseille, I would recommend taking the TGV either north or south to Avignon and staying in Isle-sur-la-Sorgue.

David, we will be in Switzerland for a week, we are hoping to take the train from Geneva to Avignon or Marseille. Haven't decided yet. I know Avignon is much prettier and recommended, but we have a 6:30 am flight out of Marseille to return home!!! So we are going to think about that for a bit. Any tips for us? Does anyone know the email address for this Villa Agape that Rick Steves recommends. The one in the book leads us to some Florida rental website. But all of you who replied, thank you, its so kind of you to share your advise and experiences with us.
Sonia

I know nothing about Marseille. In your original post, you indicated 5 days in Provence. I certainly would not stay in Marseille simply because you are flying out of there. I would take the train to Avignon and rent the car there. I said that my favorite town is Isle-sur-la-Sorgue. It is, but Castillon du Gard near Pont du Gard has a wonderful place to stay and it is very close to the highway. From there it is very convenient to Avignon, Cotes du Rhone, and Luberon Hills areas. The one drawback is that we were not that impressed with the dining options. There are plenty, most of the best seemed to be in Uzes, but I wouldn't put them at the top of my list.

Have you considered staying where the others have suggested for the first four nights but the fifth at a Marseille airport hotel? There's an Ibis and a Sofitel among other. If I had a 6:30 a.m. flight, that's what I'd do. With Autoeurope you can pick your car up in Avignon and return it at the Marsaille airport the evening before you fly out.

Thanks, Bets, for stating what I forgot to input as part of my suggestion. Airport hotels for night prior to morning departure always work, but are not the answer for longer term exploration prior to departure.