doloresmercado

Hello Fodorists,

I have to choose between these 2 half days, to Pont du Gard. Which one would you choose?

Pont du Gard - Uzès - Nîmes" 1430 1930hs
OR
Pont du Gard, Orange & Châteauneuf du Pape -1430 1930hs - PROVENCE EXPLORER

I will combine with ARLES in the morning...
Arles - Les Baux de Provence - Carrières de Lumières - Saint-Rémy de Provence - Saint Paul de Mausolé -
0830/1330

thank you!..

Kind regards, Dolores

PalenQ

Uzes is the most dreamy of them IMO- Nimes is large but has some interesting Roman relics- otherwise not much unusual. C d P if into wines.

Be hard for me to chose.

Flip the coin -with that much crammed into one day you will not see that much of any of them.

You only have one day in Avignon? Or where are you staying? If not Avignon I'd certainly put that at top of my list -the Palace of the Popes being truly awesome.

StuDudley

There is really no reason at all to visit Chateauneuf du Pape unless you want to sit down with the the wine clerk at a small tasting room, discuss the wine, have a taste, and then feel like you need to purchase some wine. The town itself is not nearly as interesting as Uzes, IMO. However, "Chateauneuf du Pape" may be a winery tour - then you will have to decide if that interests you. I've also never been "pleased" with Orange. There has always been stage props and other unsightly things "set up" that distract from enjoying the amphitheater.

Packing the Pont du Gard, Uzes, and Nimes into one day would wear me out. If you are doing this on a tour, I would consider finding a nice outdoor cafe in Nimes and have a coffee for the duration of the "group" visit.

Stu Dudley

PalenQ

Packing the Pont du Gard, Uzes, and Nimes into one day would wear me out. If you are doing this on a tour>

a half a day - in a.m. OP is doing Arles-Les-Baux-St-Remy, etc.

A full day -fine if only in area for one day.

StuDudley

>>a half a day - in a.m. OP is doing Arles-Les-Baux-St-Remy, etc.<<

You're kidding - I hope!!!

Now that I re-read the OP's post - she isn't!!! That's 3 days worth of stuff!!! Provence is where you want to slow down and enjoy the ambience.

Dolores - don't do it!!! Do you realize that shops don't open in Arles, St Remy, Uzes, Nimes, & Les Baux until 10:00 - and most close for a 2+ hr lunch around 12:30? If it is a hot day, the Pont & Les Baux will likely be scorching & will exhaust you. Les Baux is a bit of a hill climb also. The Pont may be a climb too.

Stu Dudley

PalenQ

Stu -I think to gently point that out but also to answer the OP who may have thunk of that and is on a short time line - so now that we've gently made our take on all that known

let's now stick to answering the OP's question!

If she likes wine tours go to Chateauneuf-le-Pape -if not chose Nimes and Uzes - yes I've found little of wow in Orange except the Roman relics and Nimes' and the Pont du Gard are enough of those and better perhaps.

doloresmercado

Hi my friend PalenQ
staying in Avignon just for the sake of seeing the Provence..arriving june 4 19hs..and leaving June 6 2p
will do the Chateaux in Avignon inthe morning...
thought one tour wud be ok..Now I see that I could make 2 half day tours
Morning Arles afternoon Pont du gard and by yr comments I am inclining to do it with Nimes and Uzes!!

to funny STU Dudley that is what I realized abt the Chateauneuf so definitely I won't do that!! thank you
jajaja...Stu next time I will ask Fodors before booking!!!.....do u think June 5 will be hot? what ..35C?? accuweather says 26 and that for us is spring.. dont worry.. promise next year to consult here and take more time.. I didnt realize there wud be so many things to do!!.

thank you..you 2 made my mind..really appreciated!.

cheers, Dolores..

ps I am not shopping I travel with a carry-on! and I will bring summer clothes!

StuDudley

I did point out my opinion. Orange was disappointing (for us), and so was Chateauneuf if you are not a big wine person. The town of Chateauneuf is not nearly as charming as Uzes. We've visited Chateauneuf twice plus a tour of Beaucastel. We've visited Orange twice also. So guess which option I prefer??

IMO, the Pont du Gard plus the very interesting museum there is a 3 hr visit at the minimum. Add 30 mins to get to & from the car - making it a 3 1/2 event. Uzes is 30 mins away. It's a 2 hr visit, IMO if she is not a big shopper (my wife spent 2 hrs just shopping - we've stayed in a gite just outside of Uzes for 2 weeks.). Another 30 mins to/from car makes it a 2 1/2 hr event. We now have 6 1/2 hrs of touring. And still no Nimes. It will take 1 hr to get to Nimes & parked. It's about a 2 1/2 hr visit. so now it's a 10 hr "event" starting at 14:30 (from where - Avignon - add 30 mins) You'll be in Nimes past midnight. I think most of the shops will be closed by then. Dinner - I forgot dinner......

I realize you can do this in less time/faster pace. Which we did on our first tour of Europe in 1977. My mom & sister "bailed out" half-way through the trip - they were exhausted. We're wiser now!!!

Stu Dudley

Stu Dudley

dugi_otok

Hi Dolores

Enjoy Provence

AM
Following the Van Gogh's road, you will discover among others, the Roman city of Arles. In the heart of the Alpilles, you will have the opportunity to discover the monumental "Carrières de Lumières" which host an extraordinary multimedia shows, unique in the world. This year the exhibition is about Chagall! Then you will have a photo stop at the "Eagle village", Les Baux de Provence, to have a panoramic view of this medieval village. You will finish the tour in St Paul de Mausolé, the famous hospital-monastery in which Van gogh has spent one year and created a hundred masterpieces. You will enjoy an unforgetable half-day tour in following the footprints of Van Gogh.

PM
Be part of 2000 years of History through a walking tour in one of the most beautiful middle age town of Provence, Uzès, and the discovery of the treasures of the "French Roma" and the famous Roman aqueduct.

Dugi

doloresmercado

Thank you Stu..I am visiting not shopping in France!! I did the shopping online and will be waiting for me in Cannes!

Stu-Palenq.. yes.. I rather do heritage than wine tasting.. dont normally drink..


At the moment I have been confirmed half day Pont du Gard UZes and Nimes in the morning.. as per Palenqe I am tempted with this half day that includes Uzes..and wait for half day to Arles in the afternoon

Have also been confirmed FULL DAY doing Pont du Gard – Pont Van Gogh -Arles – Les Baux de Provence(stop at A.O.C olive oil mill) -St rémy deProvence + Market

Do I wait for the afternoon Half day to Arles and combine it with the morning to PontGard Uzes and Nimes??
..or do I confirm this one that has no wine tasting but the stop at an oil mill and is full day??

Thank you Dugi..owuld like to do all that..trying to get a confirmation...!

Thank you again to all of you.. love Fodors!

Cheers

StuDudley

>> half day Pont du Gard UZes and Nimes in the morning.. as per Palenqe I am tempted with this half day that includes Uzes..and wait for half day to Arles in the afternoon<<

Yep - that's how these packaged tour groups sell more packaged tours to travelers - pack as much into a day as possible, so the tourist can check-off more things on their "to do" list. You're going to exit the bus looking just like that guy that was dragged off the United Airlines plane.

A day consisting of the Pont, Uzes, Nimes, lots of bus time, Arles, St Remy, Les Baux, & no "sitting outside at a cafe" needs about 2 1/2 days just to gain a small appreciation of each site.

Stu Dudley

StCirq

Totally agree with Stu. It sounds dreadful.

TravelinFeet

Just to put in a good word for Chateauneuf du pape, both my 14 year old daughter and I really enjoyed it. We did go to wineries, where they were less rushed and had the time to explain things, (and CNP white wine is some of the best in the world) and enjoyed wandering the ancient streets. I actually tried really hard to get there this trip but it turns out you can't get there by train (according to the people at the Avignon train station (which does have a baggage check, but I didn't use it). Still may try to get there on the return trip. THere is a Michelin one or two star restaurant there as well that is very reasonably priced!

doloresmercado

JAJAJAJAJA. ..ok I will look dreadful but I can't stay another day.. have all my train tickets and hotels confirmed and paid!...

I will wait another 10 days to define..full day or 2 half days..don't worry I will nevertheless enjoy it..when u are on your own u don't mind going fast..!..
cheers

Hi Travelinfeet.. Rather do something else than wine tasting.. I saw the chateau which is wonderful but too much time lost in a winery.. not my cup of tea.