Avignon area
 

We'll be staying in the Provence area for four nights, and are looking for a place that would be central for day trips. We thought Avignon would be a good choice. We'd appreciate suggestions on accommodations in the city or its' outskirts since we will have a car. Any suggestions would be appreciated. Thank you.

Consider St. Remy instead. Easier to navigate in and out (rather than the walled city of Avignon),

We chose St Remy for the reason starrsville mentioned. I agree. It was very easy to drive in and out of. It also allowed us easy access to places like Arles and the Camargue which you should absolutely include in your trip. While in St Remy do go to Joel Durand chocolatier...HEAVEN. The drive from the train station in Avignon to St. Remy takes maybe 20 minutes and driving in S France is immensely easy.

Avignon is a good choice also if you want to visit the Luberon and yet be close enough to the Alpilles. You would be close to the gard. As one who visits every year, We don't find difficulty getting around unless you stay downtown where traffic is heavy.

We stayed at a lovely place about five minutes outside of Avignon. The hotel is La Magnaneraie in Villenueve; I felt as if I were living in a Merhant / Ivory film. Here's a link.

http://www.avignon-et-provence.com/la-magnaneraie/

Villeneuve les Avignon is that pretty small town just across the bridge from the walled city of Avignon.
It's a great small Provencal town where the hotels and B&B's will noormally have available parking. It's also very close to the city of Avignon (you can walk across the bridge depending on where your hotel is otr take the bus).

I like Villeneuve because it is not that far from the major highways to take us around to other towns and cities. St. Remy is nice, too. It's just a little more of a pain to get out into the highways to get to other Provencal areas.

I myself prefer Arles, still reachable via train from Avignon, Tarascon, Nimes. etc but a smaller city with a charming historical centre. I like the Hotel Voltaire and Hotel Gauguin, both of which I have stayed at frequently.

I stayed over two weeks in Villeneuve.
Like Billy-Boy, I love that village that has one of the best flea markets on a Saturday morning. I don't drive so I loved the options, walking across the bridge, taking the boat up the road from my hotel, or busing from the village fountain where I sat with the elderly locals.

Several years ago, we stayed at Auberge de Noves, about 10 miles outside Avignon.

It was a charming place, with an excellent restaurant and our rooms had balconies overlooking lavender fields.

It has been several years since we were there, but you might check it out. We thought the location great for daytripping about in Provence.

http://www.aubergedenoves.com

Byrd

Without a car I would pick Avignon. But since you have a car there is no question St.Remy and I would pick an in town motel so when you're finished with a full day there are nice restaurants in St Remy with a casual walk. I've stayed there twice and no problem with the car going sightseeing. As convenientr as you'd want.

Following advice given here, we are now focusing on St. Remy. We are considering La Galerie, where they have availability and good rates (68 euro a night). Any thoughts?