AVIGNON / DAY TRIP Gordes or Arles

Old Apr 22nd, 2017, 10:06 PM
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AVIGNON / DAY TRIP Gordes or Arles

Hello Fodorists

I will arrive Avignon June 4 evening...leaving June 6 at 1420 hours by train

JUNE 5 I am doing one day trip to Provence but day trips do
Gordes with Pont du Gard
or
Pont du Gard with Arles

I could use June 6 morning for a half day to Gordes or Arles according to the day trip I chose.

The only provider able to confirm at the moment is Viator on June 5 Arles +PGard
"full-day tour of historic Provence from Avignon See Van Gogh’s residence in Saint-Paul-de-Mausole Visit the Provencal towns of Les-Baux-de-Provence and Arles Admire the Roman-built Pont-du-Gard Sample regional wines in Chateauneuf-du-Pape"

and June 6 half day Gordes and Rousillon
"Travel through Provence’s beautiful lavender fields, in full bloom during the summer View the unique red cliffs of Roussillon Visit Gordes, considered one of France’s most beautiful villages Tour the Lavender Museum to discover the many uses of lavender"
OR
Drive through Provence’s blooming lavender fields and stop for photos /Browse the fragrant lavender shops in Sault or Roussillon /Visit the picture-perfect village of Gordes
Dont know the difference of the above 2/ only the price 59 to 65 (?)

I would rather have June 6 free to walk around and maybe visit the Pape Chateaux
What do you think?
So Gordes or Arles?
I can find a full day Pont Gard + Arles or PontGard + Gordes,

Thank you

And leave June 6 to visit the chateaux and walk around Avignon??

Cheers..thanks Fodorists!!!
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Old Apr 22nd, 2017, 11:56 PM
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I am really confused. What are you doing on the 5th? When are you exploring Avignon? You want to know which of three options for the morning of the 6th?
The lavender fields will not be in full bloom in early June. Despite that I would probably pick Gordes and Rousillion over Arles. Arles does have a good market but not on the days you are visiting.
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Old Apr 23rd, 2017, 03:26 AM
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Will the half day trip on the 6th be guaranteed to definitely get you back in time to collect luggage and catch your train?
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Old Apr 23rd, 2017, 03:42 AM
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Your post is totally confusing. First of all, you are already IN Provence, so taking a day trip there makes no sense at all. Second, why would you choose a trip to the lavender fields on June 6, when the lavender probably won't be in bloom?

It all sounds really hokey and expensive. Can you not rent a car and explore on your own?
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Old Apr 23rd, 2017, 03:55 AM
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There is nothing wrong with doing a day trip that way if it fits into your needs. I guess the one thing that could be confusing, but what you say is that you don't intend to spend any time during the day actually visiting Avignon where you are staying. That makes sense if you just are not interested or have been there before. It is a very good location to stay for day trips like that if you don't have a car. I really like Avignon. I know everyone cannot rent a car or does not want to, I often do not rent cars for day trips when staying in cities, in fact, I never have just for a day. Those kind of tours can be very enjoyable, and the price is not, in fact, very expensive at all compared to renting a car for a day and can be more efficient for one day.

I think it's really up to you, are you really interested in Roman ruins or not? Personally, given your time frame when lavender will most likely not be in full bloom if in bloom at all.

So your question is should you just stay in AVignon for the day or do one of those tours? Given that it is early June, if you have not seen Avignon before, I do think you should just stay in Avignon for the day. If not, i would certainly take the tour to Arles and Pont du Gard as it is not dependent on the lavender and much more to see.

What isn't clear is that you could do a half day tour on June 6th, and that would only be possible if you weren't leaving Avignon until night. Is that true? If you don't have a car, I'd just stay in Avignon for June 5th. If you aren't leaving until night, and want to do a day trip elsewhere, I'd do the Arles one on June 5th and spend June 6th visiting Avignon before you leave.
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Old Apr 23rd, 2017, 07:11 AM
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The Viator June 5 trip is super busy if it includes Pont du Gard and Arles (this is already a full day) then adds Les Baux and Chateauneuf du Pape? You will be careening across the countryside with short stops.

Villages like Gordes and Rousillon are pretty photo ops if you're looking for that, they don't offer much else. They're about an hour drive east of Avignon.
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Old Apr 23rd, 2017, 12:31 PM
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Viator does not operate trips; it just sells them for tour companies.
For possibly a wider range of options, the Avignon tourism authority operates a very useful website that includes day-trip possibilities.
I could easily spend a day and a half in Avignon for its own sake (and have, several times).
http://www.avignon-tourisme.com/home-1-2.html
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Old Apr 23rd, 2017, 06:13 PM
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Hello Fodorists

I am a solo traveller so I do not rent a car. I am coming from Cannes for a ONE DAY visit of Provence and I am trying to do the most.
I KNOW I wont see the lavenders..I was told they bloom after 15 June. but I need to be in London by June 14.

It makes most sense when u are on your own to avoid the expense and hastle of renting a car when u dont have much time and wen u drive you cannot see a thing.
I rather do base in one place and do day trips comfortably having someone to think of logistics and best ways to get around by knowledgable guides.

to Christina...on june 6 morning I was planning a walk around Avignon by myself thinking I could make the most in one day to Provence on June 5. Which does not include Gordes.
if I do the day tour pont du gard+Arles should I do it on june 6? instead of wander around Avignon until 1420 that my train leaves. ??

JUNE 6 my train leaves 1420 and the tour is back at 1330 and already was told they could take me directly to the train station

In Brief my questions is do I chose Arles over Gordes if I cannot make it on June 6 half day in the morning?


I think I wll do as Christina suggests..do the Pont du gard plus Arles, leave Gordes for another trip and enjoy Avignon on thursday morning.

NO LOCAL provider was able to confirm the June 5 trip. have contacted Provans which does Arles + pont du gard. but they dont have yet a 2nd passenger...
Prestige does Arles and Gordes, Occitaine, doesnt operate on Mondays. Echo is the other one doing Arles and Pont du Gard but they cant yet confirm June 5 for the same reason of not having the 2nd passenger.

So thank you very much to all of you for the enlightenment.

I will do as Christine suggests reconfirmed by Tom_mn that Gordes is a good photo op.

Regarding VIATOR I know they are intermediaries operating local providers, I have it as an alternative if no other provider can confirm.

Thanks again to you all!!
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Old Apr 23rd, 2017, 08:20 PM
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I took a quick look at Viator tours. Many are not available Monday June 5. This one looks to be a good intro to Provence:
>>Provence in One Day Small Group Day Trip from Avignon>Orange, Les Baux de Provence and Arles Small Group Day Trip
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Old Apr 24th, 2017, 09:49 AM
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hello dugi_otok !! PLEASE TELL ME WHAT U THINK ABOUT OPTIONS BELOW

thank you for looking at Viator!...
but they do Pont du Gard with Gordes instead of Arles.
.I know I should have stayed one more day..but now is too late..
I have the train tkt for June 6 afternoon

And yes I will stay in Avignon June 6 and take the little train.
and walk around, and cross to a village I was told across the River.

I found 2 providers that do Arles with Pont du Gard

SAINT-PAUL-DE-MAUSOLE - ARLES - PONT DU GARD - CHATEAUNEUF-DU-PAPE - LES-BAUX-DE-PROVENCE

the other does
Arles, St. Remy,visit Pont du Gard. And wander around the medieval villagees baux de Provence.

and as an option 3 - 2 half days

Arles - Les Baux de Provence - Carrières de Lumières - Saint-Rémy de Provence - Saint Paul de Mausolé -0830/1330
PLUS
Pont du Gard - Uzès - Nîmes" 1430 1930hs OR
Pont du Gard, Orange and Châteauneuf du Pape

what do you think? THANK YOUUUUU!!!

kindest regards, Dolores
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Old Apr 25th, 2017, 12:05 PM
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Hi Dolores
I would do option 3 - 2 half days

Arles - Les Baux de Provence - Carrières de Lumières - Saint-Rémy de Provence - Saint Paul de Mausolé -0830/1330

Arles is one of the lovliest cities in southern France, golden stone, blue collar small town feel,riverside setting, with a well preserved Roman amphitheatre and arena.You will be shown scenes out of Van Gogh paintings. Les Baux,11th century castle ruins with a touristy village below is worth a hike. Saint-Rémy is a charming walkable town which has become a desirable base for tourists visiting Provence.Add the show Carrières de Lumières and Saint Paul de Mausolé, monastery where Van Gogh was a voluntary psychiatric patient. A busy morning awaits you.

PLUS

Pont du Gard - Uzès - Nîmes 1430/1930hs

I especially like Uzès, a lovely old town,stayed there for a week, and Pont du Gard, a great stretch of a Roman aqueduct built in the first century AD. Nîmes is a vibrant city with sidewalk cafes and extensive Roman remains and a history of denim textile mills.

The Luberon villages await your next trip.

dugi
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Old May 4th, 2017, 08:58 AM
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HI Dugi

Yes that is my preference..as well I got Pont du Gard with Uzes and Nimes confirmed in the morning..

Now I have to wait Arles in the afternoon..
or
wait for provence-booking to confirm their 2 half days which are the same that those of Time4Provence..

Thanks a lot..

Hard to get confirmations!!

cheers, Dolores
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Old May 4th, 2017, 10:13 AM
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Avignon is so nice. Be sure to take a walk to the bridge. It was so much fun. The Chateauneuf des Pape was awesome (in the true sense of the word). Some people said not to bother going in, but I thought it was incredible to see the enormity of the structure from the interior. Have a great time!
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Old May 4th, 2017, 10:45 AM
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>>The Chateauneuf des Pape was awesome.... I thought it was incredible to see the enormity of the structure from the interior.
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Old May 4th, 2017, 04:33 PM
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Thanks Stu - rhat is what happens when I try to write and leason plan at the same time! Thank you for the correction.
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Old May 14th, 2017, 03:43 PM
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ok guys..so I read that would be worth the wine tastins at Chateauneuf des Papes... (not the Palais des Papes in Avignon)

So if I cannot have the 2 half days I will do the one day with the wine tasting...thank youuuu all 3 of you!

cheers

Dolores
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Old May 14th, 2017, 05:15 PM
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Arles has so much to see and good restaurants
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Old Jun 19th, 2017, 09:25 AM
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Hello al Fodorists..came back from wonderful AVIGNON..I was enlightened and left Cannes in the morning. arrived Avignon midday and was able to do the Palais des Papes...AMAZING PLACE... it leaveS YOU breathless and Avignon Bridge... amazing place, weather..I didn't know it was soooo beautiful..

Had I been given the choice between Gordes and Arles.. now that I did both!..I would have chosen GORDES.. wonderful amazing village.. so in the end I did this

JUNE 5
Morning.. Nimes, Uzes and Pont du Gard..enough time for the 3
Afternoon.. Arles, Les Baux de Provence and Saint Paul de Mausolé ..I would have preferred more time at Baux de Provence and do the Carrières de Lumières ..which would have only taken 10 mins to at least have a glimpse ..only 10 minutes that we could have taken out of Arles...
June 6 morning
Gordes and ROusillon..iT started with the Lavender Museum that I would totally skip or leave for the end if there is time to do it.. and not necessary to stay for the audio!.
TO ALL OF YOU ThANK YOU SO MUCH.. !
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Old Jun 19th, 2017, 10:00 AM
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Please tell more of why you would choose Gordes over Arles. It might be helpful to others having to make choices. Thank you.
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Old Jun 20th, 2017, 04:20 AM
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Hi Sassafras

Arles is a French town, and its highlight is the amphitheatre..but for my personal interests, we spent too much time.. not that I did not like it.. there is nothing you don't like in France but I would have preferred just 15 minutes more at Le Baux de Provence and see the Carrieres de Lumieres, as it was there at Le Baux!!

And I would choose GORDES because it is this amazing small beautiful medieval village in the mountains.. different, beautiful place .. you feel like going back in time... the scenery and the road that takes you there! is breathtaking.. hope this helps..
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