Hello!
My husband & I will be in travelling to Provence for 2.5 days at end of July. We won't have a car and are leaning towards staying in Arles based on recommendations we've read.
What itinerary do you recommend for "MUST-SEE" places and sights to visit?
Is it easy to get around without a car?
Your question: Is it easy to get around Provence without a car? Without a car you won't be able to go to the many Provence locations in the countryside, that many travelers go to Provence to experience. However, you can get to the cities that are well served by rail, such as (from Arles) Avignon, Nimes, Aix, and Orange.
Thanks for the quick reply!
We looked at renting a car for 1 or 2 days, however the problem is that we would be looking to drop it off at ~5 PM on Sat or Sun first thing in the morning.
From the website, there does not appear to be a "drop off" option in Arles (The office closes at noon on Saturday & closed on Sunday). Do you know if this is not the case?
Also, not sure if it would be expensive to only rent a car for 1 or 2 days.
Your thoughts?
It will be expensive to rent a car for only a day or two. You'll probably save money if you rent for more than three days.
Just stay in Arles! We loved it. There in April during a festival with running of bulls in streets, horse show in arena... Honestly it is the one place in France I would go back to and rent an apt. for month. Loved it. My favorite after 18 days in France.
You can always hire a driver to sight-see.
Just hang out and enjoy. Why rush all over the place? Sitting in cafes will take up hours...mingle with locals...
Jasmine, I don't know about drop-off options in Arles, but if you can't find one, just drop off in Avignon. Arles is about 25 minutes by train.
To be super efficient, combine drop-off with your visit to see Avignon.
I'd want a car, but there are bus tours or regional buses to many sights, and in 2-1/2 days you would not exhaust (or even have time to visit all of) Arles, Avignon, Orange, Nimes, and the Camargue.
The train station is an easy, tree-shaded walk to several good hotels recommended by RS--we stayed in one just inside the old medieval walls & near the river (Regence?? Cant remember the name). There is a laundromat & there are several cafes nearby. From there, the Place du Forum is about a 10 minute walk. The Roman Arena and the Ancient History Museum (well worth a visit!) are about 10 minutes walk from the Place du Forum, but in different directions. I would say that Arles is easily worth a full day, and I agree with the poster who said they could knock around the old town for the whole 2.5 days.
The train from Arles to Avignon is an easy ride, and seeing Avignon will take a full day. Neither of these requires a car. So--a half day? Well, I don't think that is enough to see the Pont du Gard by bus...and my experience with the Avis people at the Arles train station was not at all pleasant. If you really are bent on renting a car I would do it at the Aivgnon TGV station (direct bus from the Arles train station). But really, why not relax and give yourself a car-free 2.5 days in Arles and Avignon?
Thank you everyone for your wonderful suggestions!!
I think you are right about spending more time at each place, rather than rushing to too many places.
We had a wonderful Provencal visit, staying in Isle sur la Sorgue; easy train trip to/from Avignon and great little village with a weekend market - Sunday, I think.
