Your husband might miss many more "oh, look at that" moments by not using a car. Cars can go where buses and trains don't. In the Lubéron, for example, there are no trains. That means going by bus, and in September the weather is still hot and the buses don't have very good air-conditioning. You are also at the mercy of bus schedules.

Driving in France is easy, and the distances where you'll be going aren't great.

But if the car is truly out, stick with Option 1, which will allow you to travel mostly by train.

Provence is THE destination for a driving vacation.

Have you not seen all the movies with fancy cars driving along the coast and through the mountains (e.g. To Catch a Thief)?

The best thing of the Cote d'Azur is the scenery and the only way to enjoy it is by driving (or by renting a private yacht, if you can afford).

Rolls-Royce even named one of its models "Corniche".

bookmarking with thanks to all.

Can't imagine exploring Provence without car. I realize some people have very good reasons for not doing so but if at all possible, rent the car. Driving through Provence is ever so simple and actually therapeutic!

bookmarking

This information is invaluable and now will def rent a car when we arrive to Avignon! Yippee!

Now I just need to plan the routes and what to see for 3 days sightseeing!

Hi addspace, please note the original date of this thread and do double-check that any specific info is current.

DH and I went 9/2008 and were able to get van tours that we enjoyed very much. However, we were the only people in one of the tours and they almost cancelled it.

Good luck with your continued planning.