I am planning a trip for my mother-in-law and me in Setpember. We plan to fly into Paris, take a tGV to Lyon, and rent a car down to Avignon, please give me your suggestions if you have been there.

Did you want to drive from Lyon?<BR>The TGV goes all the way to Avignon.<BR><BR>If you do a search here on Avignon you will find many past suggestions. I haven't been there for a while but I loved it there. Lots to do, and a good base for daytrips such as Arles.<BR>I stayed at the hotel de l'Europe and loved it.

I just got back from Avignon and thought it was beautiful. I did a day trip and was satisfied, but I think you could spend a couple of days there. You can see Nimes, Arle, the Pont du Gard, the small villages like St Remy, Gordes, Menerbes are only about an hour or two away. We drove from Menerbes and it was an easy drive on good roads. Take care, Kay

We are interested mostly in small, quaint cities. Not so much in large, loud, busy cities or the museums, churches etc. that most travellers want to see. I heard that Avignon is large. Is this true? If you have any idea's on that, please, do tell.

Avignon is large and difficult to drive in and out of. I was there a few weeks ago. It is also a walled city which I think if driving makes it more difficult to drive in and out. My suggestion would be to take the TGV to Avignon-nice train station out of the city and then possibly stay in a smaller place like St. Remy.

I agree with the suggestion of staying in Saint Remy, which is small and charming. I stayed there several yrs. ago and have forgotten the name of the hotel. My stay there was most pleasant. I have also stayed in Avignon and remember a lot of street noise, especially motor bikes at night.

Whether or not you think Avignon is "large" depends on your perspective. It is certainly not a little village but it's far from large in my opinion. Outside the city walls there is a fair amount of modern sprawl but inside the walls (which is where you want to be) you can walk everywhere in less than an hour. If you have a car you can park it outside the walls. There are parking lots all along the walls. We parked in the train station parking lot (small fee) which is right across the street from the main gate (in the wall). The walk from there straight across to the other side of town took maybe 15 minutes. We stayed in a boring modern motel about a five minute drive from the center, not charming but we only used it to sleep in and it was cheap. Many great smaller towns to take day trips to from there - be sure to consider St Remy and Gourdes. Gourdes has a 13th century abbey set in a lavender field. Probably won't be in bloom in September but in July it was heaven. I would think the town would be worth a visit even in September. Also Ilse sur la Sorge (probably not spelling that one right) which is on a river and has lots of greenery for the region which is mostly rather arid. All those towns are within about an hour of Avignon and there are lots more. Avignon itself is large enough to have plenty of restaurants and street entertainment. If you are there long enough try to get to Aix which is another city (as oppossed to small town) but it was more like two hours away. The whole area is wonderful.

Agree with all that Ann said above--Avignon within the walls is quite small and walkable. Aix is a nightmare to drive in and park. Many many day trips in all directions--just pick N,S,E,W and make an itinerary from the map (a good Michelin map). St. Remy might be more "charming" to stay in.

I agree with the comments about Avignon also great suggestions for trips nearby. Michelin map for this area is #245 and it's a must have for poking around.<BR>JB