I will be going to provence in 3/22/02. I will be taking tgv, I was thinking aix en provence I do not want to rent a car. Any information on where the train arrives in the city,so I could walk to my hotel? Information on the city? Would Marseille be better? Arles?

Of the three places you mention, I think Aix is by far the best choice. The train comes in close to the main street and downtown, there are also busses from the station to outlying parts. Need a hotel? I know there are several near the station. Budget?

Although you don't mention it, I think Avignon would be the better choice if you don't want to rent a car. The TGV ride is shorter, there are many day trips you can take, either by train (Nimes, l'Isle sur la Sorgue, Arles) or <BR>with the Tourist Office bus tours (Pont du Gard, St Remy, Les Baux or into the Luberon). <BR>I suggest you get some guide books and decide what you would really like to see before you make reservations anyplace. <BR> <BR>PB

Good Morning Pj, <BR> I agree with PB because I do not drive and the first time I visited Provence, I needed to have transportation. Outside the train station(close to The Hotel Europe) there are the Lieutaud excursions. Cour de la Gare. One day it went to Orange, Vaison, another Pont-du-Gard and Nimes and one day, my favorite The Camargue. Another day St. Remy, Les Baux, Fontveille. You are left to yourself for lunch or to look around. Be warned, somedays the Lieutaud did not show up. But no problem for me, steps away is the train. I'd look up at the board and find where the next train was going. Once it was orange. Also there are boats rides that are fun. So many choices, so much to see, I was never bored.

Both Avignon and Aix have new TGV stations which are located outside of the city. You will need to take a shuttle (navette) to the city center.

Thank you for the info. I have been on the eurorail website[very good], I did not see tgv going to avignon, like I said I want to use public transport. Please pass along info on that route.I was planning to take tgv back to paris [gare de lyon]

Disregard question on train schedules,my new question is does anyone know if the museum pass cover all of France museums?

&lt;&lt; Both Avignon and Aix have new TGV stations which are located outside of the city. You will need to take a shuttle (navette) to the city center. &gt;&gt;<BR><BR>Actually, there are still two or three TGVs a day that stop at the central train station in Avignon. They are marked as "Avignon Centre" in the schedules.<BR><BR>PB

I don't think the TGV stops in central Aix, though, does it? The regular Aix train station is very central and only a few blocks from the action, but the Aix TGV station is outside the city (8 miles or so?) and it's not walkable from there. I agree you should stay in Avignon if you are depending on public transportation, Aix is not convenient for that. Avignon would be best for options (bus and train) to go elsewhere. As for the museum pass, the one you are thinking of is probably the one used in Paris which is only for the Parisian region. Sometimes local areas or cities have their own museum passes, you could check with the tourist offices where you are going. I know Arles has one just for Arles area (65F, my last info) and there is a new one called Carte Musees Cote d'Azur for the area on the Riviera and Nice (you can get in Nice tourist office) which is a good bargain (35F 1 day, 80F 3 day, 150F 7 da), but sounds like you won't be in that area. I don't know of one for Avignon or Aix, but you could ask (Avignon would really be worth it as there is so much to see there).

Christina,<BR><BR>The TGV only goes to the new TGV station just outside of Aix. Sorry, I should have added that in my last post.<BR><BR>PB

Well this has been great!! I am now definitly going to Avignon, either stay at Hotel Europe or Cloitre Saint Louis any input?

I would suggest the Europe... lovely antiques and comfortable rooms. The rooms in the Cloitre are small (they were nuns' cells) and starkly modern. <BR><BR>PB

Thank you pb!!! Did you take any organized walking tour in Aviignon?

Hello again pj, I slept one night at the Europe so I would be near the train for an early return. My room was tiny and modern but it overlooked the dining terrace, so ask for an older room if that is what you want.