Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
When budgeting your time, you'll want a full day for sightseeing in Arles and Les
Baux (for example, spend most of the day in Arles—best on Wed or Sat, when it's market
day—and visit Les Baux in the late afternoon or early evening); a half-day for Avignon;
and a day or two for the villages and sights in the countryside.
Pont du Gard is a short hop west of Avignon and on the way to/from Languedoc-
Roussillon fordrivers.LesBauxworkswellbycarfromAvignonorArles,andinsummer
by bus from Arles (daily July-Aug, Sat-Sun only June and Sept). The town of Orange ties
in tidily with a trip to the Côtes du Rhône villages. The Côtes du Rhône is ideal for wine
connoisseursandaneasystopforthoseheadingtoorfromthenorth.VaisonlaRomaineis
also ideal for those heading to/from the north, and Isle-sur-la-Sorgue (the most accessible
small town by train) is conveniently located between Avignon and the Luberon.
Getting Around Provence
By Bus or Train: Publictransitisgoodbetweencitiesanddecenttosometowns,butmar-
ginal at best to the smaller villages. Frequent trains link Avignon and Arles (no more than
30 minutes between each). Avignon has good train connections with Orange and adequate
service to Isle-sur-la-Sorgue.
Buses connect many smaller towns, though service can be sporadic. From Avignon,
you can bus to Pont du Gard, Isle-sur-la-Sorgue (also by train), and to some Côtes du
Rhône villages. While a tour of the villages of the Côtes du Rhône or Luberon is best on
your own by car, a variety of minivan tours and basic bus excursions are available. (TIs in
ArlesandAvignonalsohaveinformationonbusexcursionstoregionalsightsthatarehard
to reach sans car; see “Tours of Provence,” later.)
By Car: The region is made to order for a car, though travel time between some
sights will surprise you—thanks, in part, to narrow roads and endless roundabouts (for ex-
ample, figureanhourfromLesBauxtoPontduGard,andtwohoursfromArlestoVaison
la Romaine). The yellow Michelin maps #332 (Luberon and Côtes du Rhône) and #340
(Arles area) are worth considering; the larger-scale orange Michelin map #527 also in-
cludes the Riviera. Avignon (pop. 110,000) is a headache for drivers. Arles (pop. 52,000)
iseasierbutstillchallenging.Bewaryofthieves—thisisFrance'sworstareaforcarbreak-
ins (whether in cities, out-of-the-way sights, and everywhere in between). Park only in
well-monitoredspacesandleavenothingvaluableinyourcar.Ifyou'reheadingnorthfrom
Provence, consider a half-day detour through the spectacular Ardèche Gorges (see here ) .
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