TEKJAF

We (two couples) are taking a cruise in late September, docking in Marseille, but want to take an excursion into Provence. I am undecided between two all-day ones: Avignon and Aix-en-Provence, or Gordes and Rouissillion.
My husband and I have been to Avignon and a few small towns in the south of France (but not Aix) several years ago and enjoyed them; the other couple has never been to Europe, so I would like to see some new things ourselves but also give the other couple a varied experience. We will be touring the Cinque Terre the previous day, so I am not sure if Gordes and Rouissillion would seem repetitious? This stop is scheduled on a Friday, and we could be in Aix in the afternoon, so would there be any interesting markets (it seems that the markets are a big part of the allure of Aix-en-Provence)?
Any advice on which excursion to take? Both are well-rated, and I haven't found anything of substance on Cruise Critic or other cruise forums.

Christina

Avignon and Aix are not small towns, they are cities (pop probably around 85-100K). Gordes and Roussillon are villages.

SO these are 2 strange all day tours IMO, to combine 2 cities or 2 villages, I would have thought they would do it another way, but who knows, maybe they figure you either want only cities or only villages. I would not say that the markets are the big allure of Aix at all, people on Fodors are batty about markets in Provence, I don't know why, especially if only on a day trip so you aren't going to be stocking up groceries. I would think that would make more sense to say that is a big thing in the small villages where there isn't really much to do. Roussillon at least has some interest with the ocre cliffs.

I would want to know what the itinerary is for the cities, what are you going to do. And a day trip with only Gordes and Roussillon, what is that itinerary, that would be even more curious. Are they just going to drop you off and let you roam around Gordes for 2-3 hours?

ANy of these places has markets, but only on certain days. In Gordes, it's on Tuesday, in Roussillon, it's Thursday, In Aix, I think it is twice a week, or maybe 3, so more possibilities (Tu, TH, Sat). Avignon has a covered market every day, other roving markets on Sunday (brocante and food).

I think it depends if they just want markets and villages or to see some grander historic sites or museums.

cigalechanta

if you want to shop, Aix and Avignon but to taste Provence, I'd chose The hilltop villages of Gordes and Roussillon.
Gordes, at its top has a Renaissance chateau and the church.
Roussillon is stunning to behold with it's hues of ochre that makes no other village look so warm. There's a 30 minute walk to the quarries. Before its housing boom, it was a quiet place . In 1950, Laurence Wylie moved there with his family for a year and wrote the book, A Village in the Vaucluce

StuDudley

I agree with Christina - that is a weird combination of places. If this is an afternoon only event, I don't understand how anyone can visit both Aix & Avignon on the same afternoon starting from Marseille. These are large cities and deserve most of the day for each. Also, markets are in the morning - usually ending around 1PM. Aix's market is Tu, Th, & Sat so you'll miss that. Aix and Avignon are 1 1/4 hrs apart - so a lot of time will be consumed traveling between these two places - and to/from Marseille.

Gordes & Roussillon are small villages. Plan on maybe 1 1/2 hrs in each place. Again - you'll miss the markets. They are only 10-15 mins apart & 1 1/2 hrs from Marseille.

I really don't believe anyone would send you off in the afternoon to visit Aix & Avignon in the same day & expect you to be back at the ship by dinnertime. Like Christine stated - get some more info and post what you find. My wife & I have vacationed for 18 weeks in Provence & 16 along the Cote d'Azur.

Stu Dudley

TEKJAF

These are both 8-hour excursions.
As I said, we've been to Avignon before, so I know that it and Aix are cities. I am underwhelmed by the choice of excursions and agree that it's odd to not combine a city and a village in one tour.
I know that markets are in the morning - I made that comment because we will be there on Friday which doesn't seem to be a big market day, and I am not sure where we will be in the morning on either tour - these excursions sometimes run in reverse order. I thought the markets would provide more local flavor.
Both excursions seem to offer an initial orientation and tour of each place and then you have a lot of time on your own.
Sorry - I realize I misspelled Roussillon in my title and earlier post.

StuDudley

Carpentras has a great Friday morning market.

Stu Dudley

macanimals

Lourmarin (north of Aix) also has a great Friday morning market.

The Cinque Terre is not even close to being similar to your options.

My impression of both Gordes and Roussillon after many weeks in the area is that they are both seriously tourist oriented and most attractive from a distance. I don't mind them and have enjoyed visiting artists in both villages but can't imagine a long drive and the expense of a tour to visit them. A tour to the villages will get you into the Luberon however but only for a short time--like going to a beautiful beach but not being able to stay and enjoy it.

Michael

<i>both Gordes and Roussillon ... are ... seriously tourist oriented</i>

as are most if not all <i>plus beaux villages</i>

cigalechanta

Of course they are tourists oriented because of their uniqueness, One still should not miss them.
That's a snotty attitude. I went to Gordes forty years ago when it was still quite, but today, the beauty is still there.

isabel

That is a hard decision because, as everyone including you are pointing out, it's a strange combination. If the day is 8 hours and there's close to four hours of driving in either case that leaves you with only about 2 hours in each place. That's not enough for either Avignon or Aix. So I guess I'd go with smaller villages. Hopefully the trip to Gordes will include a visit to the Abbey nearby and between that, the two villages and lunch the timing would be about right. I love Aix but I'd be too frustrated to try and experience it in two hours. Same with Avignon plus you've already been there.

Here are the photos I took last month which includes all four of the places being considered.
www.pbase.com/annforcier/france_-_provence

TAW

I hope you are doing a private tour and not one from the ship. The private ones are much better IMO.

dugi_otok

Many cruise ship excursions are simply transportation to a destination. They drop you off and tell you to be back to the bus at a certain time. About 10 years ago I was on a Holland America cruise which had Marseille as a port of call. I took the excursion to Aix. They dropped us off at the fountain (Place du General De Galle) and then I walked the Cours Mirabeau and others . It was a market day which added to the enjoyment. I would guess that this excursion will drop you off at the Popes palace area in Avignon followed by a drive/drop off in Aix. Lunch is fend for yourselves.

If you have been to Avignon I would go to the Luberon hill towns of Gordes and Roussillon which will give you a taste of the Provence of Peter Mayle. There is no requirement for couples to always go on the same excursions.

TEKJAF

Isabel - Your photos are absolutely incredible. Thanks so much for sharing.

PhilippeProvence

Ais is really nice but rather big (140 000+) and traffic can be a night mare. Not as easy to discover and walk through as the villages in the luberon, however it is surely gorgeous.
Why dont you arrange a tailor made private tour ? That could be best...