I am having difficulty planning this section of our trip...We are spending a lot of time in Europe, doing a mix of cities and slower pace towns. After spending 4 days in Paris, I feel like we'll want to take the TGV to Avignon (is Orange possible to take TGV to?), rent a car, tour le cote du rhone, visit Luberon villages, and then drive down to Nice, where we fly out of to continue to Italy. Including the day we leave Paris and the day of our evening flight from Nice to Italy, we'll have 5 days. Is it a huge mistake not visiting Arles, Avignon, or Aix-en-Provence and even Nice? I thought it may be easier to just drive the rental car directly to the airport in Nice, but maybe we'll be really missing out! Also, I really can't decide on a good base in Luberon. Should I spend a night in Vaison-la-Romaine for the Cote du Rhone and then 3 nights in more central in Luberon (Rousillon, Loumarin, or Menerbes?....is there any village that is a good place to stay that has minimal bus group traffic?), or really should I be spending a night in one of the cities? Sorry for my MILLIons of questions in one post!! Any help would be hugely appreciated! :)
Posted by
Dallas
1022 posts
The train to Orange takes almost an hour longer than the TGV to Avignon. I imagine you'll have a wider vehicle choice at the Avignon TGV station so I would go there. Depending upon the Paris departure, you could have the afternoon after you arrive in Avignon to do some wine touring on the way to your lodging for the night. My opinion is there are more charming places to stay in the Dentelles area than Vaison, such as Suzette or Gigondas. Hotel Les Florets in Gigondas is very nice with an outstanding restaurant. (With the strict French drinking/driving laws, it's best not to drive after wine with dinner.) Gigondas has a cave in the town center. If I interpret your schedule correctly, you have three full days in Provence. I think you can fit in Avignon or Arles (I also have no fondness for Aix) and still have plenty of time to enjoy the Luberon. Any of the places you mention would be good to stay there; really the only place that I wouldn't stay is Apt which is charmless. As you have an evening flight to Italy, you could drive to Nice the morning of your departure and at least have a brief look around. You could start planning your next trip!
Posted by
washington
837 posts
The Luberon/Cote du Rhone areas are very close to Avignon and each other. We stayed near the Pont du Gard and visited each area for a day. I don't believe that the TGV stops in Orange. Logistically, the easiest way would be TGV to Avignon, stay at the Holiday Inn at the TGV station, and rent a car. You could train to Avignon, check into the hotel, 10 minute shuttle bus into Avignon and spend the afternoon and evening there. I think Orange and Cote du Rhone would be days 2 and 3. Luberon could be day 4. I would skip Aix. It would be best if you had one additional day to visit Arles, the Pont du Gard and Nimes; you could take it from Cote du Rhone. Or you could do some of it on the 5th day, then train to Nice. Alternatively, you could drive from Avignon to Nice airport, driving through Cassis, St. Tropez, and Cannes.
Posted by
OP
Toronto, On, Canada
3 posts
Thanks for your ideas, suggestions, and answers- very helpful! Does anyone know what the drive is like from Luberon to Nice? It looks like it is about 2 1/2 hours from Lourmarin (that is without getting lost!). Would it be easier to drop the car off in Aix and take a train to Nice's airport?
Posted by
Columbia, MO, USA
249 posts
GoogleMaps will give you a good idea of the drive, click on 3D
Posted by
Pensacola
9110 posts
It's about three hours, depending on where you start from in the Luberon. If you miss the turn north of Aix for the western bypass and wind up going into the city .... well, maybe a day and a half.
Posted by
OP
Toronto, On, Canada
3 posts
Yes! An extra day and a half to tour would be great!
Okay, thanks everyone!