driving from Monaco to Avignon?
Sep 14th, 2011, 01:59 PM
#1
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driving from Monaco to Avignon?
I'd hoped not to have to self-drive (getting up in years), but haven't been able to find a good transfer service that's affordable. Can't take train since we'll have luggage.
We'll be disembarking from a cruise in Monte Carlo, and we'd love to see a bit of Provence.
Questions: Whats' the drive like between those two places? Is the road in good condition? Is it twisty or fairly straight? Is the route straight-forward or is it easy to get lost? What are the speeds like? Will it be very crowded? About how long does the drive take?
Also: Is there a pleasant different way to return the car without retracing route? perhaps see other towns, etc?
Or: Do any of the reliable car rentals have one-way rentals, i.e. from Monaco to Avignon-- and then we could possibly fly home from Marseilles?
Time would be August 6--- 2012.
Many thanks!
(I wish I could find a tour group that leaves from Monaco/Nice on our disembark date, but there doesn't seem to be one. I'd rather leave the driving to someone else at this point in my life.)
We'll be disembarking from a cruise in Monte Carlo, and we'd love to see a bit of Provence.
Questions: Whats' the drive like between those two places? Is the road in good condition? Is it twisty or fairly straight? Is the route straight-forward or is it easy to get lost? What are the speeds like? Will it be very crowded? About how long does the drive take?
Also: Is there a pleasant different way to return the car without retracing route? perhaps see other towns, etc?
Or: Do any of the reliable car rentals have one-way rentals, i.e. from Monaco to Avignon-- and then we could possibly fly home from Marseilles?
Time would be August 6--- 2012.
Many thanks!
(I wish I could find a tour group that leaves from Monaco/Nice on our disembark date, but there doesn't seem to be one. I'd rather leave the driving to someone else at this point in my life.)
Sep 14th, 2011, 08:14 PM
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The drive from Monaco to Avignon takes about 3 1/2 to 4 hours and it is almost entirely highway driving. Very easy to do. August can get busy and especially if your date is on a weekend you can expect to have company on the road ! Every rental car company in France allows one-way rentals, almost all the time without extra drop-off charges.
-Kevin
The drive from Monaco to Avignon takes about 3 1/2 to 4 hours and it is almost entirely highway driving. Very easy to do. August can get busy and especially if your date is on a weekend you can expect to have company on the road ! Every rental car company in France allows one-way rentals, almost all the time without extra drop-off charges.
-Kevin
Sep 14th, 2011, 08:20 PM
#3
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Easy drive. All autoroute. The roads are a lot better than in the USA. Every rental car company (I use AutoEurope) lets you rent in one place, drop off in another. Plan on 4 hours. Or you can get on the secondary roads and see some scenery instead of treading on the pedal.
It will be busy in August. Lots of trucks, which I hate. I take the back roads to avoid them. You can too.
www.mappy.com
www.michelin.com
It will be busy in August. Lots of trucks, which I hate. I take the back roads to avoid them. You can too.
www.mappy.com
www.michelin.com
Sep 15th, 2011, 05:41 AM
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Terrific-- thanks so much. Info really helpful.
(Anyone feel like suggesting some pleasant stops along the way-- especially if we take back roads? Oh-- but can one get easily lost on such roads?)
Or: I wonder if it might be pleasant to overnight somewhere maybe 2/3rds the way to Avignon. Have time to explore another area a bit in the afternoon and next morning. (We go to sleep early; we're "seniors.")
Thanks again!
(Anyone feel like suggesting some pleasant stops along the way-- especially if we take back roads? Oh-- but can one get easily lost on such roads?)
Or: I wonder if it might be pleasant to overnight somewhere maybe 2/3rds the way to Avignon. Have time to explore another area a bit in the afternoon and next morning. (We go to sleep early; we're "seniors.")
Thanks again!
Sep 15th, 2011, 06:29 AM
#5
You might enjoy
http://www.villa-ephrussi.com/en/ephrussi/
http://www.villa-kerylos.com/en/kerylos/
Both of these are spectacular and close together.
Villefranche-sur-mer is one of our favorite towns on the coast. Small and charming, it's good for an hour or two, perhaps lunch.
http://www.bing.com/images/search?q=...ance&FORM=IGRE
Eze, just above Monaco is our favorite hill town.
http://www.bing.com/images/search?q=...ance&FORM=IGRE
Just a few places we enjoyed. We're 'older' and find the driving along the Riviera quite easy. It may be slow at times on the coast road, but that makes it easy. Having a car gives you so much fredom to stop where you want to and as long as you want. The motorway, of course, is faster, especially if you want to get to Provence.
Just outside of Avignon, this is the place we loved. We stayed there 3 nights and toured from there. The restaurant is fantatic.
http://www.aubergedecassagne.com/
Good luck and happy planning. Fodors is the place to get some great ideas from people who have been there.
http://www.villa-ephrussi.com/en/ephrussi/
http://www.villa-kerylos.com/en/kerylos/
Both of these are spectacular and close together.
Villefranche-sur-mer is one of our favorite towns on the coast. Small and charming, it's good for an hour or two, perhaps lunch.
http://www.bing.com/images/search?q=...ance&FORM=IGRE
Eze, just above Monaco is our favorite hill town.
http://www.bing.com/images/search?q=...ance&FORM=IGRE
Just a few places we enjoyed. We're 'older' and find the driving along the Riviera quite easy. It may be slow at times on the coast road, but that makes it easy. Having a car gives you so much fredom to stop where you want to and as long as you want. The motorway, of course, is faster, especially if you want to get to Provence.
Just outside of Avignon, this is the place we loved. We stayed there 3 nights and toured from there. The restaurant is fantatic.
http://www.aubergedecassagne.com/
Good luck and happy planning. Fodors is the place to get some great ideas from people who have been there.
