Arlene, there were other buses that came but I don't know where they were going. I was told to take the bus with a certain number to go to Avignon.

Mimi, Villeneuve sounds good, but I think it may be a lot easier to take day trips from Avignon. We would be more likely to take public transportation. The tours would only be for destinations that are too difficult to reach on our own.

Topping this really great thread. Any other good small towns with easy transportation to others? Like many of you, I always thought Provence meant driving, and I'm thrilled to see that it doesn't. J.

ttt

We have Nutella to thank for starting this. It is a great support group for Non-car-renters! We rented a car this trip (for the first and last time!) because we (really I, not my husband) felt pressured by the good,knowledgable people at Fodor's and by my good, knowledgable friends. But what's good for the goose may not be good for the gander. (Aren't you glad I added that????)

Dear Commrads;<BR>I thouught I was the only one who did not like driving in Europe. Here is a suggestion for a hotel in Avignon:hotel Cloitre Saint- Louis. You can find it by doing a search: type in the name of the hotel and then type Avignon France. <BR>I stayed at the Cloitre Saint Louis about a year ago and liked it alot; it was about $125 a night nice clean rooms .It's a Clarion if I remember correctly; but still has a very Frech vibe.<BR>Viva La France

Thanks Arlene. And everyone else. At this time I'm not sure I'll get to go until Spring of 03, but it would be great to hear more from us non-driving-while-traveling folks.. lets keep this thread alive! : )

ttt, for Melissa

I haven't been on these boards lately and tonight I just happened to find this topic. Hope it helps lots of people...including me...next year!!

Great thread. A keeper.

I also do not want to drive in Europe. Unfortunately, I really love going to fairly remote places, and that's not easy to do without a car. <BR><BR>Re Provence. I was there once, on a walking/hiking tour, followed by a few days by myself when I took day trips from Avignon. Frankly I do NOT think Povence is a particularly good place to go without a car. I was satisfied because I was able to see lots of countryside and small towns on the walking tour, but I would have missed too much if I had just stayed in a major town or two for the entire vacation and planned trips by bus and train for a week or two. Too much is not readily accessible by public transportation.

What about an overnight trip to Avignon from Paris ? Is the train ride scenic? Can someone recommend a nice hotel to stay at in the "hub" of things to see the sites, shop ? The hotel does not need to be within walking distance to the train station, as long as it is within a taxi ride. Where does the train from Paris depart/arrive to Avignon ?

You may have seen some of my previous messages but this question is perfect for me too. I was planning to stay in Avignon (accomadation suggestions appreciated) and visit Arles and St.Remy but I may add Les Baux since many people seem to have mentioned it. It seems that train/bus travel would work, as I said I don't want to drive.

TGV from Paris to Avignon leaves from the Gare de Lyon.

Carol is absolutely wrong. I saw without a car, Two towns in the Camargue, Les Baux, Orange, Chateau neuf dupape, Gordes, Roussilon, and So much more. The Hotel Europe is minutes away from the buses and trains. All the sights that are most popular are available and for a first trip it's like seing the basics. I still return every year and return to all these places.<BR>

Correction:<BR>Early on in this thread I said the the bus terminal in next door to the train station in Avignon. Since then I have heard that there new TGV station so I don't know if the bus terminal stayed at the old station or not.

Thanks, John, for bringing this one back to the top. I've just reread the entire set. Wondering if anyone has any additional suggestions for places to stay w/bus or train day-trip possibilities. <BR><BR>(BTW, John, I think it was your delightful Provence narrative that absolutely convinced me that I will never rent a car.)<BR><BR>Anyway, from what I've read so far, the possibilites are Avignon, Arles, and Aix? Believe it or not, all three of those are bigger places than I usually choose. Can anyone change my mind or give me another option? Merci beaucoup. J.<BR><BR>

JW<BR>Actually I really enjoy driving in rural France. There is so much to see and for us a car has been the best way of doing so. If you read the diaries you will know that the more remote the spot the more likely I will seek it out.<BR>All i know is that I would not like to be in back seat!

There is a new station for the TGV,(<BR> use the search engine for discussion)<BR>but the main old station is what we would use to go to different places. I took the train to Isle sur Sorgue for the famous antique/flea market on the weekend. You can go to Arles and the Fontaine de Vaucluse, Cavaillon, it's endless. Theres a Bateau Restaurant that goes arles, tarascon, chateauneuf du pape and there is diner dancing.

Since there was so much interest from non drivers like me. I dug up my Lieutaud excursions.<BR>monday was orange, vaison <BR>tuesday, pont-du-gard, nimes<BR>wednesday, aigues-mortes, saintes-marie-de-la-mer,<BR>etang du vaccares(Camargue)<BR>thursday, saint-remy, fontvielle, les baux<BR>friday, chateauneuf-du-pape, tavel, lirac, <BR>saturday, gordes, abbaye de senanque, roussillon.<BR>all start and end in avignon at the cour de la gare.<BR>I hope this helps convince you and is of help.