BlaBlaCar (and BlaBlaCar Bus) is a ride-sharing app that allows travelers to share rides and split the cost of transportation (think: carpooling or covoiturage en franais). Should we go for the quiet of Arles or the convenience of Avignon? What are the best Luberon villages to reach by bus? So I never really put the Lavender fields on the Bucket List Project. There will also be moments when you hold your breath and feel a sense of excitement on one of the many turns of the old serpentine Crete Road in the Verdon Gorge. Keep in mind that the lavender fields can get quite crowded during peak season, so its a good idea to plan your visit accordingly and try to arrive early in the morning or late in the day to avoid the crowds. I emailed customer support and got a speedy response. I see different countries in my spare time. Provence is a large and diverse region that stretches from the Rhone River in the west to the Italian border and south to the Mediterranean Sea. This is one of Frances most colorful hiking experiences. My current thought is: Sunday: Train from Genoa, Italy to Nice. Europe - Best Base in Provence without a car (besides Avignon!) Taking the local bus is an affordable way to explore the Luberon villages, as long as youre prepared for the potential downsides. Its also well-connected to other parts of Provence by public transportation. It slowly climbs up, leaving one breathless and speechless at each of the turns, as the road opens mesmerizing panoramas. The smaller the place, the fewer buses or no buses at all. Single girl travelling alone : Taxis and other things. We hope our experience proves helpful as you plan your own trip. Youll need to combine train rides with other modes of transport, ideally bus or ride sharing (more on this in #10 below).If youre based in Aix-en-Provence or Avignon, take a train to LIsle-sur-la-Sorgue or Cavaillon. It depends on how much you want to see and do. Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information -, Fodor's may use your email address to send you relevant information on site updates, account changes, and offers. Is Arles or Avignon the best base for us to explore Provence? Saint-Rmy-de-Provence could also fit the bill. What to do in Provence? Your email address will not be published. If you prefer to skip the whole circuit, its an easy climb up and down the chapel doable in an hour or less. While it may be a bit busier in terms of traffic inside the city, especially during rush hour, it is equally diverse in terms of accommodations and has plenty of great restaurants and things to do. Get ready to discover the charming Luberon area, car-free style! I think that many small towns cannot gracefully hold its tourists in high season (like Mendocino in Northern California where I live or the Cinqueterre in Liguria. There are many bike rental services in the Luberon, and some even offer to deliver the bicycles to your accommodation. Required fields are marked *. Has anyone stayed in Hotel D'Europe in Avignon? Aix-en-Provence is also known as the City of a Thousand Fountains. TIP: Be sure to book train tickets in advance to get the best fares and seat reservations, especially during peak travel seasons. Another choice is Cavaillon that has buses going to hotspots such as Mnerbes, Bonnieux, Gordes, and Roussillon. Its a town that has a train station and bus stops. Best base in Provence: Arles or Avignon? - Rick Steves Is traveling in Provence by car the only option? Marseille Marseille is a bustling port city with good public transportation connections to other parts of Provence. However, Marseille may be a good option for those prioritizing the Camargue and the Calanques, as well as those who want to visit the Cote dAzur. EV sales grew from a share below 1% in 2018 to EVs representing 3.2% of sales in 2021, 5.8% in 2022, and 7.2% in the first quarter of 2023. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); If you are ready to power through our not-that-perfect English, there is lots of content in this blog that can help you plan a great trip to Ukraine:) And to a few other beautiful countries. Provence is known for its cantaloupes, candied fruits, herbs, calissons, and other products that are to die for. Help choosing a base in Provence - Fodor's Travel Talk Forums I didn't want to imply that I thought Arles was the best spot for getting around Provence by train. Best town in Provence area for base while exploring area? If you want the itinerary and logistics taken care for you, hire a trip planner. If your hotel concierge will book day excursions for you, then of course, stay where the hotel is (lucky you!). We will be going in October after spending a week in Genoa where my husband is from. These fountains are scattered around the old town area. Avignon worked quite well for that and staying in the old town it wasn't bad crowd-wise (again October). These cities and towns have train stations and bus links, and plenty of options for restaurants, shops, rental services, and more.Pertuis also has a train station, but in my opinion, its not as happening as the ones I mentioned above. Best Base for Touring Provence - Tripadvisor I preferred Arles but that may be just where I was and happened to see. The ones closer to the parking lot are less inviting and can get quite dusty and crowded, but there are also several sweet spots closer to the abbey. Apt is located in close proximity to Roussillon and is another great stop on the Provence travel itinerary. Before becoming a travel writer, she analyzed numbers and crafted killer copy for global brands and online entrepreneurs. I also provide professional photography tips to help the readers bring home some beautiful photo memories. 5 How many days do you need in Provence? One of the best fields is located between the villages of Saul and Mont Ventoux. Shes often recommended by happy clients in Facebook groups. We like beaches but just for walks here as we will be moving on to Juan les pins after provence. A soon-to-be French citizen, Jenny has called a tiny Parisian apartment, a 20-hectare Normandy farm, and now a "just right" Luberon stonehouse her home. For more information about your privacy and protection, please review our full. lunch and go to Chagall Museum in Nice. We took a bus to Les Baux. Like in every town in France on the outskirt it's always modern but the town center being the historic part is far from being modern and Aix is such a lovely, lively and enjoyable town. You can filter according to themes, distance, duration, level of difficulty, and more. We don't want a modern city but don't want anywhere too quiet. We are a mid 30s couple with a one year old, love to walk but not long hikes with baby, seeing picturesque villages and scenery and good food and drink. ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-114511207', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');Paris to Avignon, where we will then pick up a rental car. Spending multiple days in this location alone is a must-do road trip itinerary that includes camping in the park, swimming in the clear blue waters of the lake, driving the breathtaking Route de Cretes, and having dinner at Moustier Sainte Marie. And there's such a tremendous variety of sites in the area that nobody . If you include all of these or most of these stops into your Provence travel itinerary for the day, by the time you reach the Verdon area, it will already be rather late. Browse through a selection of hotels and other available lodging options. This bustling yet charming town, located in the heart of the region, offers the perfect balance of good accommodations, things to do in town, and easy access in and out of Aix with minimal traffic. You can also base yourself in Aix-en-Provence or Avignon, which in my opinion, are great starting points if youre taking organized day trips (see #1 of the list). Its nice to plan breaks between days behind the wheel and spend them wandering around the city. This post contains affiliate links to products and services, which help us earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. This would be useful for the traveling community. Tuesday (our 25th anniversary): Arles stroll and special lunch (L'Atelier?) The tour company should take care of everything for youfrom airport transfers to accommodations. So, the options are either to leave the car at the nearest parking area and carry bags/gear to the rented apartment or hotel or rent outside of the historic center. Youre not just competing with international tourists for seats, but also French tourists and Vaucluse locals who regularly travel to and from Paris for work. Its also a great place to explore on foot, with plenty of pedestrian-friendly streets, markets, and cafes. Explore the South-West of Provence and the famous Calanques National Park a series of picturesque rocky cliffs and bays. If you are a resident of another country or region, please select the appropriate version of Tripadvisor for your country or region in the drop-down menu. Relying on public transportation, however, I think your best bet will be Avignon. TIPS: Since youre car-free, opt for circular or loop trails, which begin and end at the same point. I think Arles would have been better during the day, perhaps. Aix quite modern ? Here are just a few examples of day trips by car from Aix-en-Provence: Aix-en-Provence Gordes Abbaye de Senanque Rousillon Apt back to Aix for dinner and a stroll down Cours Mirabeau. Much more to see, Bullfights even, (and yes, the music was from "Carmen") and I wanted to spend time in the Camargue which was easy from Arles. Beginner routes: Scenic and accessible tours, Intermediate routes: Discovering more of the countryside, Advanced routes: Challenging trails and panoramic views, Customized point-to-point routes: Whatever makes you happy. Thank you for your comment, it is always great to compare the way we all feel about what we can refer to as bucket-list destinations! If you are a foodie, these markets are a must-visit. Gorges du Verdon, and especially its Crete Route is one of the most beautiful serpentine roads ever. It features travel guides to both popular and underrated travel destinations and features personal stories. Provence is a big region you won't see it all (or even a fraction) by train in 4 days. Day 3: Lavender Fields of Valensole, Verdon Gorges National Park. maps from any tourist office. Update from this pissed local (June 2023): I bought a bus ticket on the Zou! It will save you time and spare you from stress.Below is a list of English-speaking trip planners. Pingback: Nice in France in Winter: The Ultimate Guide (Itinerary for 2 Days), Pingback: French Riviera in December Itinerary Ideas for 5 to 7 Days, Your email address will not be published. The free one is on the upper road, though its slightly inconvenient as youll need to walk up and down the road to reach your car. So, go ahead and have a car-free adventure in Provence you might just discover something extraordinary! Explore day trips from Marseilles to some of the most popular destinations in Provence.