I am desperate to visit Roussillon and spend a few hours there as to enjoy some walks and cafes. There isn't a tour option that accommodates this unless I opt for a full day private tour $$$. I can take a train from Arles to Isle Sur la Sorgue, another town I would like to enjoy for a couple hours, and then I was wondering if anyone has ever taken a taxi from there to Roussillon? The guide books say that it is a 15 minute drive. Any advice here would be great. The train schedule gets me to Isle sur la Sorgue in the morning and a late afternoon train departs around 4 or 5 back to Arles. Does this seem realistic? How much does one think a taxi ride between the 2 towns would cost if it is even offered? Thanks in advance :)
Posted by
Newton, MA, USA
289 posts
I just wanted to post a report for anyone that is doing a search on this exact topic. My sister (the OP) and I actually did end up taking the train to Isle-sur-la-Sorgue and then taking a pre-reserved taxi ride to Roussillon and stayed there for ~3 hours, and then met the same taxi to bring us back to Isle-sur-la-Sorgue. Although we did take an early train (8:30ish) to Isle-sur-la-Sorgue this day trip was worth it. We spent some time at the Thursday market in Isle, then went to Roussillon (it was about a 40 minute taxi ride), saw the market there, walked around, had lunch, walked down and saw the Ochre cliffs and still had a bit of time to walk around in the little shops and get some gelato before meeting the taxi. Once we got back to Isle we were able to do some more exploring and get a drink before we boarded a train back to Arles. It was one of my favorite days of our whole trip. The taxi we used was TAXI MONTS DE VAUCLUSE at Tél. : 06 23 12 44 71. Mickie specifically dealt with him via email - [email protected] which is easier given he speaks very limited English. The ride cost us 100 Euro round trip for 2 and we paid in cash. He even stopped for photos at HIS suggestion and took a wonderful scenic ride back. Given all the research we did to do a private tour to get us to see Roussillon (for more than 45 minutes like in most of the standard tours) it turned out to very worth it to see it the way we did and pay the money for the taxi ride and I'd recommend to anyone. Although we could have rented a car, it was nice being able to have a drink when we both wanted and not worry about driving. Mickie, please add anything I may have left off! :)
Posted by
Elk Grove, CA, USA
6898 posts
You could rent a car for a whole lot less. Plus, you could see Gordes and possibly Lourmarin or Les Baux or St Remy on the same day.
Posted by
L'Occitanie, France
10627 posts
You did good! Thank you so much for sharing your trip to Roussillon. FYI, I double-checked the price of a one-day EuropeCar rental from Arles and it would have cost you at least 85 euros, plus parking, plus the cost of getting to and from the rental agency, plus insurance.
Posted by
Corvallis OR
7161 posts
I also think you did good! It sounds like a wonderful and fun day trip and I agree that it's nice to be able to enjoy a drink (or two) and not worry about driving afterwards. Worth the price in my book. And thanks for sharing the taxi information.