goalis7continents

We are arriving in Marseille via cruise & then renting a car. Our hope it to visit Arles & Avignon - we have 9 hours total time. Is it possible? What are the highlights?

cigalechanta

Yes, it is possible. In Arles, maybe visit the amphitheater, enormous in size and have lunch at the forum with all the cafes to sit and watch the people or visit the museum Arleton that Mistral founded that leads you through the old Provencal way of living In Avignon you can see the Pope's Palace or just walk around it, , cross the bridge to villeneuve-lez-
avignon that is quiet and visit the Carthusian monestary, Chartreuse de Val de Benediction.

RedStater

There is a lot to see in both places. If you try to see both in a single day, I think you'd be doing disservice to both. A single day in Avignon may not be enough. I'd say one or the other; I wouldn't attempt both.

ira

Ditto RS

ira

PS

It will take about 2:30 hr just to drive to and from Avignon.

Add another hr or so to get the car and drop it off:

Your 9 hr is now only 5 hr.

StuDudley

Actually, it's a little over 1 hr from the Port to Avignon.

I would not do both - not necessarily because of the time involved, but because they are pretty much the same thing - Provence cities. In stead, if the countryside appeals to you, I would visit one of them and then take a drive through either the Alpillies around es baux, or into the Luberoon (Gordes, Roussillon, etc).

Stu Dudley

tedgale

But what about the Marseille area itself?

We were in Marseille 2 weeks ago. The Vieux Port + the drive along the city's "Corniche" + the countryside south of the city -- to Cassis and the Route des Cretes, almost to La Ciotat -- were the highpoint of our trip.

Certainly more visually striking than Avignon, though the latter is a distinguished and beautiful city.

cigalechanta

tegale, they are so different and
maybe the Op will see Marseille after the car rental?

goalis7continents

Thanks for the info - what is the main difference between Arles & Avignon?

cigalechanta

arles is almost like a different culture where is is near the Camargue and alot of the gypsies live there. Avignon is a wonderful place with great shopping, markets and historical sights but the atmosphere is different. You must experience both to catch the flavor.

tedgale

Very different indeed. As I said, the coast and inland are both fascinating ...but if obliged to choose, I'd take the coast.

(Someone coming off a cruise ship might have a different take, of course -- the sea is not a novelty to him/ her.)

StuDudley

Avignon & Arles are different from Dijon, Strasbourg, Lyon, Rennes, Toulouse, Albi, Nice, Troyes, Rouen, Chartres, Marseille, Annecy, Besancon, and Chambery. But I think if you visit Avignon, Arles, and Nimes on the same day - you won't be able to see many differences.

Stu Dudley

mike1728

goalis,
Dont short change yourself, enjoy yourself in one of the two towns without the stress of trying to do too much...personally I would select Avignon, a great place for a day trip with lots to see and do there is also another great little village right across the river from Avignon that is also worth exploring....enjoy.mikek

RedStater

I wish I'd taken your advice, Stu, back in '07, when you suggested that I visit Nimes or Arles but not both. I did spend time in both cities, and I found them very similar. Spent the last day in Arles bicycling with my son to Ste. Marie sur Mer and back...a fine ride!