Avignon
 

We are taking the train to Avignon and then picking up a car at the train station. If we want to explore Avignon afterwards what is going to be the best way to reach Avignon from the train station... Foot, rental car or ???

The TGV station is a ways from the centre of Avignon where most tourists head. You can pick up your car and park pretty easily in garages outside of the ramparts. It's is quite a walk.

If you wanted to go to Pont du Gard you'll need to drive.

No need to walk!

http://www.bonjourlafrance.com/franc...gv-station.htm

We've picked up & dropped off cars at both the TGV station and also the town center station (before the TGV went to Avignon). I would pick up the car at the TGV station (if that's where you are arriving), stow the bags securely in the trunk, and drive to one of the garages Deb mentioned. We usually use the one at the town center train station just outside the medieval walls. Back your car into a parking slot, against a wall so that your trunk can't possibly be opened by "someone else". Most parking spaces are skinny, so it's best of all passengers get out of the car before attempting to back into the parking space.

If you arrive at the town center train station, just leave the bags at the rental office or retrieve the car first & park it in the garage. There are more cars available at the TGV station than at the town center station.

Someone a year or so ago posted about a car rental office "close" to the TGV station but not "at" the station - thus avoiding the train station pick-up fee.

I would only take a shuttle from the TGV station into the center station if you are going to spend a considerable amount of time in Avignon, and thus avoid a full day's car rental cost (if that's important to you) by picking up the car when you leave Avignon.

Stu Dudley

We are picking up at the station and it really won't save day's rental because I will need it to drive to St Remy when finished exploring. Thank you

It is hardly any walk at all, at most 2 km, station to Pope's palace, unless you are physically infirm it hardly makes any sense. Some of the car parks become market areas at certain times so make sure you chose the right ones to leave the car. Get out and enjoy the streets.

There is an underground car park in the square opposite the Palais des Papes. We park there when we visit Avignon and although it's a little tight to navigate, it's really central.

It is 7/10 of a mile from the station to the Palais (I just checked) up a pleasant shopping street. In other words, hardly worth taking a car inside the walls.

Acks - are you sure of that?? I think you are talking about the old train stations, not the TGV.

The walk from the TGV stations is closer to 3 miles, through some not very nice neighborhoods and would take quite a while to walk.

Google maps says that it's about one km from the central train station to the Palais des Papes, but almost five km from the TGV station.

There is now a rail link now between Avignon-TGV and Avignon-Centre. I believe that TGV passengers can take it free of charge.

I would not pick up the car until you are ready to leave Avignon.

But, Kerouac, they need to store their bags.

I'd consider going back to Avignon on another day.

Okay, then they can rent the car and just leave it in the rental lot with their baggage in it. It will be safe there because everybody knows that the trunks are empty in the rental lot. Then they can take the rail shuttle into town.

best idea yet kerouac :-)

>> Then they can take the rail shuttle into town.<<

And also take the rail shuttle back to pick up the car & bags.

Stu Dudley

If bags are left in the trunk at the TGV station rental car lot (outside - non-covered) - will any cosmetics get melted if temps are hot inside the car?

Stu Dudley

As others have noted, please don't even think about walking from the TGV station to the historic center.

The other day after dropping off a friend, I saw a couple of young Chinese tourists dragging their luggage and studiously following directions on their smart phone (no doubt some kind of fancy "get me where I want to go" app) up the on ramp to the Rocade Sud ring road. Not the greatest plan going, you can imagine.

So respectfully follosing the French law concerning "non-assistance à personne en danger" I stopped and offered to help out even thinking to give them a lift into town. They didn't speak much English or any French and my Chinese doesn't even get me through side A of the menu. They seemed to be basically distrustful and kept pointing to their "smart" phone, so finally I just wished them "bon chance" and since nothing showed up on the 8 o'clock news that night, I think it all turned out fine in the end !

All that to say, take the shuttle.

- Kevin

All are correct about it is not possible to walk from TGV to town center. Only from the La Gare Avignon (regular train station). Shuttles suffice!

Might I ask how much time total you'll have in Avignon? Are you just coming in/out of the city?

I love the city and think it has so much to offer, in particular a great selection of high quality and affordable restaurants in comparison with those in the touristy Luberon (not saying don't love the Luberon but restaurants aren't the best there:)) and Uzes...etc. In fact the best meals at best prices (complete with awesome Rose at less $ than water) I had on my last 3 week trip in Provence were in Avignon.

Brooke

Rented a car at the TGV station (Europecar) in Avignon last month.

Best advice for touring Avignion old town before heading to St. Remy is to park in the Palais des Papes parking garage which is adjacent to the Mercure hotel. Just follow signs from TGV to Centre Ville and Palais des Papes. Garage looked very secure for your bags and eliminates the need to return to the TGV station to get your car on the way out of town. Our bags protruded a bit into the back seat from the hatchback of our Peugeot Picasso but fortunately the windows were tinted and we were able to park in a high traffic area by the stairs. We also kept our Avignon visit short to minimize the garage parking time but it all worked out very well. Just keep in mind there is a lot of traffic getting out of Avignon around 5 pm but the Palais, old town and Jardin areas were not crowded.

Its best to visit Avignon when you first arrive by train rather than venture back later. Once you start driving around St. Remy and the Luberon, you won't want to head back to town.