Provence / South of France by public transport - best base?
 

I am an Australian student, currently on exchange at university just outside Paris and am planning to spend 5 - 7 days in the Provence / South of France region in early May. As I will not have a car and will be reliant on public transport, I am trying to work out which town would be the best to base myself at. I am thinking of staying in one location and travelling out to see the area. I would appreciate any suggestions on (1) a base that would be well placed for travelling by public transport; (2) B&B recommendation that would work well for someone travelling on their own; (3) any ideas of things others have loved in the area. I speak French and have travelled widely in Europe already. I prefer to travel slowly rather than doing 6 countries in 7 days (hence the reason I am not travelling during the May break with other students). Thanks for your help.

Avignon, because you can go places by boat, train or bus.

Avignon is good if and only if its public transport system gets you easily to where you want to be. It's great for places reasonably nearby, or on a direct railway line - like Arles, Fontaine de Vaucluse and even Marseilles.

But it's hopeless (ie lengthy and expensive) for visiting anywhere east of Marseilles along the coast, or most places SW towards the Spanish border. There really isn't one good base for visiting by train or bus: you need to decide what you want to visit, realise that "Provence/South of France" has a very great deal more to see than the whole of Australia and organise yourself accordingly: possibly choosing two or even three different bases. And accept that, with or without a car, you're going to see relatively little in 7 days.

Here are some info on buses in Provence
http://www.seeprovence.com/travel/buses.html
http://www.lepilote.com/
http://www.regionpaca.fr/transport/f...-2012/ler.html

And dont forget the local train
http://www.sudest-mobilites.fr/carte.php
Hope this will help

Phillipe

I think Avignon probably has the easiest rail and bus schedules.

Thanks. I think Avignon will work well for a short 5 day break. Looks like there is plenty to see in Avignon as well as some short bus / train rides to nearby towns. Merci PhillipeProvence - those transport links will be useful.