we will be staying near Bezier in Septembe 2008. Plan on taking the train to Avignon, perhaps stopping in Nimes on the way, but wondering if that is trying to do too much in one day? Any suggestions of things we should see in Avignon would be appreciated. Thanks.

It depends what you like. If you are into Roman heritage - then go to Nimes, it has an amazing cistern that terminated old aqueduct, a well preserved temple (so called Mason Carree), and a few other ruins (skip the amphitheatre, it is mostly new concrete with some gladiator kitch). And you could replace Avignon with a tour to Pont du Guard, with its impressive museum of Roman watermanship (it is some 15 km outside of Nimes, though, not sure about the transportation).

If you don't care about very old rocks, but like strolling thru old charming European towns - then go to Avignon only, and spend a nice day there.

Nimes also has a beautiful Park.

Sorry to complicate things, but I recommend seeing Uzes while in the area. Beautiful old town.

The top attractions in Avignon are the huge Palais du Pape and the famous bridge but the whole town with its surrounding wall is lively & attractive. Pont du Gard is difficult to see without a car, but I much prefer Avignon & Uzes over the old aquaduct anyway. Nimes is a big city so it's not quaint like Avignon & Uzes. I have to admit that I did enjoy the roman arena as much as the Maison Carree.

I think Nimes plus Avignon is too much for one day. In Avignon the Pope's palace is the major attraction but you would also want to explore the cathedral and old part of the city including Pont St-Bénezet (of the song sur le pont fame). Across the river you can get great views of Avignon and visit the Chartreuse du Val de Bénédiction in Villeneuve-lès-Avignon

book marking

I had probably one of the best, enjoyable, and least expensive meals in my life in Avignon.

I really like Avignon, and would say their Petit Palais museum is a very top attraction, and is right on the big square just outside the Palais Des Papes. Avignon is convenient in that the top tourist attractions are all kind of in one spot, -- that musueum, the Palais des Papes, the cathedral, and then the park where you can look down to the bridge (or go down to walk on it yourself).

I'm not that crazy about Roman ruins myself, seen too many of them, I guess, and think Pont du Gard is interesting if you love that stuff. But seeing both Nimes (which as ruins, anyway) and Avignon is too much in one day already. Pont du Gard isn't that difficult to get to without a car, because it's a main tourist site, there are buses that go to/from there frequently enough. Just check teh schedules in the bus station, if you wanted (from Nimes or Avignon). you might want to do that if you were there some days.

If you want to see as much as possible in one day AND if you are willing to get up early, to have a long day and to return home late, then it would be possible to see both the best of Nimes and Avignon.

Both cities are worth a full day.

Nimes has the very best Roman ruins outside of Italy including an excellently preserved amphitheatre, a completely intact Roman temple, and very interesting waterworks and is something like "little Paris" with boulevards, cafés etc.

Avignon is a typical medieval city with the Papal Palace and the famous (ruined) bridge, markets etc.

Both cities are quite different, and it depends what you prefer: Roman or medieval history. Given that you are near Beziers, I would probably recommend Nimes over Avignon, but it is, of course, up to you.

Pont du Gard is spectacular, but without a car, it takes a lot of time.

If you you want to have a more leisurely daytrip, I would recommend to choose between Avignon or Nimes.

If you are willing to have a more demanding daytrip, you can combine both.

I've got photos of the area here :
http://the-languedoc-page.com/photos...hoto-index.htm

Peter

dont forget Arles

I loved Nimes! The city is beautiful and very quaint. I had one of the best little lunches in a bakery there in town. I'd do anything to score some of the salad dressing I got with my salad. I also bought my gradbaby some of the cutest outfits there too.

What I'd do to be in France right now.

Mamaw, do you remember where you found the cute baby clothes - we'll be in Nimes in October and I definitely will be hunting things for the grandbabies.

"I had probably one of the best, enjoyable, and least expensive meals in my life in Avignon."

Okay Waldo, where? What did you have? How much?

Monica