Do I need a car while staying in Provence?
 

We will be staying in Provence for a week--probably in Avignon as it seems centrally located. We plan to visit Nimmes, Ex -en -Provence , St Remy and maybe a few other small towns. Is a car needed or will public transportation get us there? Thank you!

To really enjoy Provence, a small car is needed.
some villages do not have public transportation plus you will enjoy the scenery driving from one place to another.

Yes, a car is necessary to get to small villages. It is pretty easy driving and the signage is good.

Nimes
Aix-en-Provence

You'll have more freedom and flexibility if you rent a car. Many of the small villages that are my favorites, are difficult or impossible to get to by public transportation. Of course, if you have enough money you can always hire a private car & driver.

Stu Dudley

Yes !

You will need a car to visit any of the areas you have mentioned with the exception of Aix-en-Provence. But, my recollection is that parking availability in Avignon is very limited. If you must stay there, consider Villeneueve-les-Avingon across the river which has less costly accomodations and parking at the hotels. BTW, most of the car rental companies are at the two railroad stations, the TGV is south of the city and the SNCF is just outside of the walls on the west side.

And since you'll have a car you won't have to restrict yourself to staying in Avignon. Consider basing yourself in one or two of the smaller more charming cities instead.

Without a car, you can easily visit the cities Avignon, Nimes and Arles by train. Both Nimes and Arles have impressive Roman ruins, Avignong has the medieval Papal Palace and Old Town (and the bridge).

However, as others have said, there are more attractions which are accessible by car only, e.g.

- Pont du Gard, a most impressive Roman aqueduct,
- the ruins of Glanum,
- Les Antiques (impressive monuments),
- the ruined medieval village Les Baux,
- Senanque Abbey (beautiful abbey in the middle of lavender fields),
- the Rustrel Colorado
- the Camargue
..and many more.

You will also enjoy the scenic drives through the Provence.