We're going to be in Fontvieille/Arles the 1st week of October, 2023. We arrive via train from Paris and have nothing yet planned other than car rental and where we're staying (La Regalido in Fontvieille).

Tues, Oct 3rd: We arrive via train at 11AM in Avignon, and then have our car rental through Hertz at the train station. Plan to drive to _______ and end up at our hotel for the night. (Any suggestions for what to see/do where to eat this day?)

Weds, Oct 4th: (Any suggestions for what to see/do where to eat this day?)

Thurs, Oct 5th: (Any suggestions for what to see/do where to eat this day?)

Fri, Oct 6th: Return car by noon to Avignon train station, early check-in to Airbnb so we can drop off our bags. Day to explore Avignon. (Where should we eat? What should we prioritize seeing/doing?)

Sat, Oct 7th: Early AM train to Lyon airport to catch late PM flight.


Currently, I've overwhelmed by the sheer numbers of options and day trips and road trips from this area (in a good way...but I need to start narrowing them down!). I want to have flexibility, such as seeing if any events are happening in the Arles amphitheater once they release event calendars for the fall, but also don't want to miss windows for making reservations for anything that might get booked up (great restaurants, for example).

Info about us: We're in our mid-30s, this is my husband's 1st trip abroad (from the US) and both of our first trips to this region of France. We don't mind getting out the door by 8AM, especially if it means getting to see and do more overall, but we also want to soak up the experience and sit in cafes and explore some without jam packed itineraries too. So having a lot of options that are flexible (like "Day 2 you should drive to _____ and plan to explore, but if you get there and don't feel like spending the whole day there, ______ and ______ are nearby too." or "If you feel up for a busy day, you could see _____, ______, and ______ since they are all nearby, but if you're wanting to plan your day around a long lunch/great meal, ________ is worth it1")

Any advice? I know I'm asking for a lot of help, and I appreciate it greatly!
Thank you!!

We've spent 23 weeks in Provence.

Wed - morning market in St Remy.

Like you mentioned - many, many options.

I developed a 35 page itinerary, describing our favorite things to do & see. If you would like it - e-mail me at my Fodots name at AOL. I'll attach it to the reply e-mail. Indicate that you want the Provence itinerary - I have about 10 others.

Stu Dudley

Thank you so much! I have your document (you kindly emailed it to me last fall when I began planning). It is amazing and extremely helpful...except in the narrowing the options down department

Thank you for the tip about the morning market on Weds.

Any other advice for narrowing down all of the options you outlined in your doc? With all of your trips to the area, if you only had 3 days there, what would you choose?

Also, I'm wondering about changes to restaurants in the past few years, since it looks from the document that you haven't been back to Provence region post-COVID. Any advice there? I know I can verify what restaurants are still open and operating, but I'm wondering if there are new spots that you've heard of/that others might recommend how have been more recently?
Thanks!

You are correct - I have not been back to Provence since my FIL's stroke in July 2019, followed by Covid. We'll be there for 4 weeks this June. Previous recent visits to Provence have been to the Bedoin region, and the Luberon . Far away from your area. I only recommend restaurants where I have actually dined.

I would spend arrival half-day visiting les Baux, then the countryside to the east - including .Eygalieres (see the driving itinerary in the Michelin Green Guide)

Wednesday. Market in St Remy, explore St Remy, and visit other sites in the immediate area - Van Gough stuff (if you are interested in him), Les Antiques, Lumieres, Glanum

Thurs - villages/countryside in the upper Luberon. See my itinerary

Fri. Avignon.

I have not included Arles, because you'll visit Avignon instead (don't need 2 large cities)

Stu Dudley

Years ago we stayed at the Régalido. Excellent small hotel with easy access to the autoroute.

I do not find Arles to be central to most areas of interest in this part of Provence except the Camargue. Does have an excellent Saturday market and a smaller Wednesday market. You might visit the Pont du Garde on your way to Arles if you are not worried about parking and leaving your car with you luggage inside. Uzes and Nimes are in the same general direction. We were in Provence for two weeks in September 2021. Did not see any notable restaurant closings as compared to about 2016. Did enjoy a nice dinner at Restaurant de Tourrel in St Remy. Michelin 1 star.