Torn: Nimes vs. Avignon
 

Hi there – I could use some help. We have four full days in Provence based near St. Remy. We are spending a day in Arles, a day cycling between St. Remy, Les Baux and Eygalieres, a day in the Luberon (l'isle-sur-la-sorgue, Roussillion, Gordes, Lacoste).

It's the fourth day that vexes us. We're going to see the Pont du Gard. But do we see Nimes or Avignon in conjunction with it that day? BTW - it's early July.

Thanks!

It is really hard to advise someone else, especially if you don't know what they like, but if I were taking your trip, I would visit Avignon. It is a larger city than the others you are visiting but a very lovely city. And there are some very good restaurants.

I would go to Avignon also.

Thin

I would also vote for Avignon. I wouldn't be torn.

Thanks everyone. We appreciate your input. We're making a concerted effort not to over schedule ourselves for once. But it does require some difficult decisions. For some reason Nimes' attractions were drawing me but many posts in the forums made me doubt my inclination. So Avignon it is!

Avignon. Arles & Nimes are somewhat similar. And I'm not a fan of Nimes.

Stu Dudley

While there's much to see in Nîmes, if you hit it on a hot day with some wind--well, hot and dusty isn't much fun.

another vote for Avignon, absolutely. Nimes has a few things of interest, certainly, but I wouldn't put it on my list over Avignon by any means.

Last year we spent a week in Avignon as a base for train travel.

While pleasant enough I didn't find it very interesting.

Since you're going to Pont du Gard that day have you considered going to Uzes from there? Very nice, very clean town with a central square.

The only thing I didn't like about Uzes was that we ended up there on market day so the main square and surroundings were covered in market.

I would definitely consider going back on a non-market day.

I love Eygalieres. Nimes is not In Provence but in the Gard.

I prefer Avignon, stayed over two weeks there one year
but Nimes is nice, The amphitheater
is ranked as one of the great ones.Ideally try to saee it when a bullfight or a course of a corrida.
The Maison Caree. a I,900 years ago is a square Roman
temple. Musee of beaux-Arts is worth a visit.
The Musee of old nimes is also good if you like old furniture,
ceramics and costumes

I cannot imagine being at the Pont du Gard and NOT seeing Uzes.

We've stayed there 5 times, I think. It never, ever palls. Only 25,000 people but what style, what amenities, what gorgeous architecture.

I like Avignon OK but it's too big for my taste -- I liked Villeneuve-les-Avignon better.

Nimes, a horror to drive in, is lowest on my list.

tedgale, I agree with you, but she asked about Nimes.
I too, love Uzes, stayed there love the Saturday market, one of the best, which is also in the Gard, not Provence.
I also spent over two weeks in Villeneuve-les Avignon,'
which as a non driver was perpect for me. I could walk across the bridge to Avignon, or take the boat (which I loved ) or the bus.









































uses witch is also in the Gard, Not Provence but still the South of France. I spent more than two weeks in
Villeneuve-les- Avignon

Consider staying in Arles rather than Nîmes or Avignon. Much more to see, I think.

@cigalechanta - so glad you love Eygalieres - we're actually staying there at Le Jardin de Tim.
@TedGale - we thought we'd try to slip in at least a quick visit to Uzes on that day.

I'm so glad I posted this question ... And that there's such agreement! We are now focused on Avignon.

Kelly, I stayed there for 14 years at the Auberge de Provencal but it is now a private home, Diagonally across from
the Cafe Progress, which I heard is now something else?
The weekly market is good and the nearby restaurants.
The Chapel Saint Sextus is worth a photograph. The locals were so friendly. I miss that village. I don't drive, my husband died.

I'm also somebody who can't figure out what the fuss about Avignon is about. Nimes is even more limited, while also less congenial. Completely agree about Uzes - - what a gem. Also the Van Gogh asylum and St. Remy. Other really nice places to visit are Aigues Mortes (walled medieval town) and dipping down into the Camargue as far as the beach at Sainte Marie de la Mer. You might also see if any small towns are having runnings of the bulls through the streets, which can make for a charming day in a charming place.

not sure what you mean re the "fuss" about Avignon. DO you mean those who like it or those who say there is nothing to do there? Well, if there is nothing to see in Avignon, there is nothing to see in Nimes, either (or Arles for that matter).

Let's face it, these cities are not that different in size to make a big deal about one being big or not. I think Arles is somewhat smaller than Avignon and Nimes.

First of all, a day visit doesn't make you know IT ALL

@cigalechanta - I've had such a good feeling about Eygalieres ever since we happened upon it online. Good to hear that the restaurants nearby are good. I'm sorry to hear about your husband - it sounds like you made some very good travel memories together.