I am planning a trip to France next May/June. This will be the first time I've been in several years, and my wife's first. We want to experience as much as we can, because we don't know when we'll be able to go back. We are planning to fly into Paris, stay there for a few day, then travel to Provence for a few days (I'm leaning toward basing in Arles). From what I've been reading, to really experience Provence you should have a car. I have no problem renting a car in Paris and driving to Arles, but I'm a bit worried about the cost. Which would be cheaper, to rent or travel by train?
Posted by
Boston
4132 posts
A train, probably, if you get some of the really discounted (and restricted) advanced tickets.
A hidden cost of driving from Paris to Arles is the time it will take.
If you would enjoy a road trip, which has its pleasures, that's an argument for the car.
I think you are wise to have a car in Provence.
Posted by
OP
Cleveland, Ohio, United States
19 posts
What kind of drive time should be expected from Paris to Arles? In this case, the drive would be part of the enjoyment of the trip, but enjoying a good drive only lasts so long when you're packed in a car for 8-10 hours.
Posted by
ABQ
28 posts
Take the train, then pick up a car in Arles. You'll arrived refreshed and ready to explore Provence by car.
The TGV train takes less than 4 hours and the car takes about twice that. Also, the time is based on taking the Autoroute toll road system.
You can get the Paris-Arles tickets online for 32.90 € each way when bought ahead of time. On sncf.fr I checked dates 2 months out and found these prices.
Posted by
OP
Cleveland, Ohio, United States
19 posts
Thank you all, this is all very helpful!
Posted by
Marseille
150 posts
The drive will be about 8 hours, and it will be along an autoroute so you will not be able to appreciate the scenery as much (they are slightly sunken in many places to minimise the noise of traffic, so your views will often be of the road in front of you and the banks on the side).
If you go by TGV it will be less than 3 hours to Avignon or Aix, from where you can rent a car and go to Arles and other areas of Provence thereafter. The TGV trip is relaxing and the scenery gets more impressive as you go south, down the Rhone Valley where the line follows the river for a while, and you get great views of the mountains on both sides, and you whizz past little towns and villages in the distance.
Of course there is the option of driving from Paris to Arles along the smaller and more scenic roads, and that is a pleasant drive in itself, you can stop and visit places along the way, but in that case you need to count at least a day and a half.
Posted by
Reston, Virginia
403 posts
Basing in Arles works well, but I would strongly second the recommendation to take the TGV from Paris to the Avignon TGV station and pick up the car there. The selection of rental cars is very poor in Arles, whereas the Avignon-TGV station has a vast parking lot just outside it in which every car rental agency is well represented. That way as a bonus you can also see Avignon & the Pont du Gard on your way to Arles. Depending on how much time you have, you might divide your provence base between Arles and L'Isle-sur-la-Sorgue, a delightful village which is about 45 minutes to 1 hour closer to Sault/Mt ventoux, Roussilon, the Luberon than Arles is
Posted by
Bainbridge Island, WA, USA
32 posts
Last year we took the train from Paris to Avignon and rented a car at the train station. It all worked superbly. The train ride was relaxing and the rental went smoothly. Do check your vehicle for dents etc. before taking off.