Worth going to Arles and Avignon?

Provence is a fabulous region, richer in many ways than the Cote D'Azure. That said only you can decide whether and how it fits with your trip and your priorities.

If you go, pick one town as a base (they are not far from each other) and think about ways to include that part of your trip in the most logistically efficient way.

For example, if you are traveling from Paris you could stop in Provence on your way to Nice. If you are flying into Nice you might look into returning from Marseilles (ending your trip in Provence).

October is a wonderful time to see that part of Europe. Have a great trip!

Perhaps we should re-think this. We're flying in and out of Nice and have 8 days. Can anyone suggest the best sights to see in the vicinity?

You have received good advice! I recently returned from both areas using only public transport. I was based in Villefranche (thanks to Rick!) which was fabulous and a good base for all the places you want to go. I had almost a week, however, just in Villefranche and I wasn't able to get to Eze or Cannes/Antibes. I had intended to combine Monaco with Eze, but ended up staying longer than intended in Monaco (of course!) and it was getting too late. With public transportation I found this happens sometimes- the plus of course is not having the stress of driving and parking- the downside is that you have to depend on their schedules. Both Aix and Avignon are mostly accessed via Marseilles (a transfer a couple stops north). St. Tropez is far, unless you do a boat tour. That said, if you really want to see both areas, you might consider one of the all- day tours that takes you to a lot of places on your list, from Nice- it will be just brief visits, but might be a solution. Try Viatours.

Carol, re rethinking: I really was not trying to talk you out of or into anything, rather just answer your very open-ended question to the best of my ability and make some practical suggestions about how it could work if you wanted to try.

It sounds to me as though you and yours have already given this a good bit of thought. If you are uncertain abut what you want to do Rick's book and other guides will help you. There's lots to see wherever you go.

I agree with the suggestion of taking a day tour. I am going to be flying into Marseille in mid-Sept. and will be taking a train up to Avignon and then a day tour of Provence--probably Le Beaux, Pont du Gard, etc. We will then take the train to Nice or back down to Marseille and then out to Nice. I have seen day tours where they will actually drive you from Avignon to Nice, or Nice to Avignon. They don't offer those tours all year long, but you can check out some options on the internet, including on Viatour. Good luck with the research and have fun!

Good suggestions. I've found hotels I like in both Nice (Hotel Lafayette) and in Arles (Hotel Regence) in Rick's 2007 book. We're discussing renting a car in Provence for a couple of days to do the smaller outlying hilltowns, then a day each for Arles and Avignon. The remaining 4 days would be in the Cote D'Azur. Does that sound do-able?