Hi everyone,
I%26#39;m planning a honeymoon trip to Europe, and we%26#39;re planning on travelling to France from Italy. We%26#39;re thinking of exploring the Provence area, and from other threads, gather that Avignon is the best place to use as a base. I%26#39;m wondering how accessible Avignon is, to the rest of the Provence area during Winter if we are not driving?
Also, as we have never been to this part of the world, I%26#39;m wondering if anyone could suggest an itinerary for a 4 day trip in this region, during early December?
Thanks in advance!
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I like Provence in all seasons and the Christmas market in Avignon during December is very atmospheric.
You really do need a car to see Provence around Avignon and a word of warning - it can be bitterly cold in December when the Mistral wind blows.
As you only have 4 days I womder if you might be better going to Paris?
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1. As a base for Provence, particularly for someone needing public transportation, Avignon is a good choice.
2. Though one can explore most all of Provence by bus, schedules are very limited = those with time constraints should rent a car.
3. Boucheboy%26#39;s suggestion about visiting Paris instead should be strongly considered. It will indeed be cold in December but you%26#39;ll stay very busy with tourist sights, cultural events, and excellent food.
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Honeymoon, December, France... 4 days ... I vote for Paris too.
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If you go to Provence, here are a few things I would do my best to see:
St Remy with Glanum and the monastery of St Paul de Mausole, great Wednesday market but lovely place to visit on other days too.
Arles with its roman ruins and van Gogh connections
Aix en Provence, great Saturday market, cathedral and Cezanne connections
Avignon itself for the pope%26#39;s palace and the bridge where one dances, also nearby the pont du Gard
l%26#39;Isle sur la Sorgue, stupendous Sunday antiques and general market, then Fontaine de Vaucluse jut up the road.
You might want to look for a coach trip round the Luberon to see Gordes and Roussillon. Roussillon is amazing but there is no bus service to it.
I find the best website for local buses is infociaco.com All the above can be reached by bus from Avignon, some can also be reached by train from Avignon Centre train station. I don%26#39;t drive and have done these. However you will need to check winter bus timetables carefully when they appear.
Take plenty of warm clothes as the Mistral is very very cold when available.
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It will be cold in December IF the mistral blows. Otherwise it can be absolutely delightful and a lot warmer than Paris. Avignon is a good base.
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Thanks everyone for the replies.
Those are some good suggestions. I decided to rent a car afterall. Think it would be more convenient to. Have also booked my accomodation in Avignon and getting all excited!
I%26#39;m going to Paris first, then travelling down to Avignon, that%26#39;s why it%26#39;s only about 4 days in Avignon.
Thanks all again.
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Hi we just got back and we spent 5 days in Avignon and loved it.
Day one - Pont du gard, Nimes and Chateauneuf de pape
Day two - Orange and Cote du Rhone wine tasting
Day three - Luberon - isle sur la Sorgue, Gordes, Roussillion and a few small hill towns.
Day four - St Remy, Les Baux, and Arles
Day five - Avignon - Villevenue avignon
We used Rick Steves book - Provence and it was very clear and helpful. Avignon has tons of restaurants to choose from. please email me if you have more questions.
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Thanks XM, did you drive or use public transport?
Our accomodation reservation at Chez Marie got cancelled as she won%26#39;t be aaround then, so we have to look for an alternative place. Most of the recommendations seem to be in the city centre, but I%26#39;ve read that if one has a car, city centre may not be the best choice cos it%26#39;s very difficult to drive inside the city centre.
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Hi we stayed in town at the Kyriad hotel - not sexy but it served its purpose - it was clean and modern. they have discounted parking behind the Pope palace in parking structure. It was very convenient and we had no problems with the car. The car was safe, we did not leave anything in the car. I would recommend this parking structure if you are in the north part of town. Once you park you can walk in Avignon anywhere. Its small but big enough tohave lots of dining choices - high and low. Avignon was a great place to be central to see other cities, specially if you have a short time inthe area. if you are into wines and just only want to wine, I would stay in vaison de la Romaine - its close to all the big wine places and the country. as in my prior posting we did it all - nimes, arles, wine, chateauneuf de papes, and luberon. we did 99% of the tour with rick steves book of provence and it was super helpful I am sure in the winter its going to be quiet and not so congested as it is in the summer. we went in may and it was great - the lul before the summer. if you have any questions, please contact me :) we were in the south of france for our 10th anniversary :)
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oh, we drove all over provence and had NO PROBLEMS. Our trip continued to Nice and and it turned out it was cheaper to drive to Nice then to take the train - Nice was only 2.5 hours away
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