18 Best Day Trips from Avignon, France – Insider’s Guide 2024
Medieval Avignon is an excellent base for a variety of day trips.
Avignon is one of the best cities to base day trips into Provence and the surrounding region. There are beautiful medieval villages, outstanding Roman ruins, wine tours, Cassis, Marseille and the lesser-known Camargue region and more.
I spent a month living in the center of historic Avignon and this medieval city grew on me to become one of my favorite places, worth a visit for most people.
You will get to know the Provence region and Southern France and have the opportunity to sample the wines of the Rhone region with these 18 best day trips from Avignon.
NOTE: Each listing gives information on getting there by train, bus or car plus travel times. Most are accessible by public transportation, but for a few you will need a car.
Quick list of best day trips based on your interests:
- Arles – Best for Van Gogh – 🎨 Tour Option – Van Gogh in Arles
- Pont du Gard – Best for monumental Roman Aqueduct – 🏰 Tour Option – Pont du Gard
- Isle-sur-la-Sorgue – Best for picturesque canals – 💦 Tour Option – Isle-sur-la-Sorgue
- Cassis – Best for coastal village – ⛵ Tour Option – Cassis
- Les Baux de Provence – Beautiful medieval village – 🏡Tour Option- Les Baux de Provence
18 Day Trips from Avignon by Car, Train, and Bus
For each of the unique day trips we have included travel time by train, bus and car. Most have public transportation options, while a few are accessible by car only.
1. Isle-sur-la-Sorgue and Fontaine de Vaucluse
Kicking off these best day trips from Avignon is my favorite: Isle-sur-la-Sorgue. This magical little town is known as the “Little Venice of Provence” for the very fresh water canals and antique waterwheels.
It is also known for its brocantes (flea markets), antique shops, and weekend markets. If you are looking for cool treasures and unique souvenirs from France, this town in Provence has a lot to offer.
The canals and water wheels on the Sorgue River are magical. The water is very fresh, you can smell the freshness. The water originates in the tremendously deep spring, Fontaine de Vaucluse.
Here you can see this mystical spring that feeds the Sorgue River. That’s one of the main reasons people visit, as well as to see the town with its 1000-year-old church, souvenir shops, riverside restaurants, and museums.
- How to get there: Car (45 minutes) Train (45 minutes to 1 hour) Bus (1 hour 10 minutes)
- How much time to spend: Morning + afternoon
🥇 Tour option: Private Tour: Fontaine de Vaucluse & Isle sur la Sorgue
2. Pont du Gard
The South of France has its own ancient Roman aqueduct, the Pont du Gard Aqueduct, that carried water over 50 km to the Roman colony of Nemausus in the 1st century AD.
It’s an incredible UNESCO World Heritage Site as well as a popular and easy day trip from Avignon. While there, you can walk the ancient road or take a tour to the upper level for a closer look and great views.
- How to get there: Car (30 minutes), Bus (30 minutes)
- How much time to spend: A couple of hours
🥇 Tour option: Provence Highlights Full-Day Tour from Avignon
3. Uzès
Near Pont du Gard, you can visit the medieval town of Uzès. I recommend seeing Pont du Gard and Uzès on the same Avignon day trip.
It has a great Saturday market, a charming center, and French cuisine options for lunch after seeing the bridge.
- How to get there: Car (18 minutes from Pont du Gard)
- How much time to spend: A couple of hours
🥇 Tour Option: Nimes, Uzes & Pont du Gard Small Group Half-Day Tour from Avignon
4. Orange
See a well-preserved Roman amphitheater just a half hour outside of Avignon. It’s located in the town of Orange, which has a few things that make it worth a day trip.
Stop by the Orange Cathedral, the Cathedral of Notre Dame de Nazareth, to admire its Romanesque design that dates back to the 4th century.
There’s also an ancient Triumphal Arch full of intricate details. Overall, this is one of the best day trips from Avignon if you want to see Roman relics.
- How to get there: Car (35 minutes) Train (20 minutes)
- How much time to spend: Morning or afternoon
5. Nîmes
When it comes to Roman history in the South of France, Nîmes is really the place to visit. It’s often called the “Rome of France” as it’s home to numerous landmarks, some dating all the way back to 600 BC.
For starters, there’s the Les Arènes de Nîmes, reminiscent of the Colosseum, and the ancient Roman temple called La Maison Carrée.
There are also lovely gardens and other Roman relics to see on a day trip from Avignon to Nîmes.
- How to get there: Car (50 minutes) Train (30 minutes)
- How much time to spend: One full day
🥇Tour option: Nimes, Uzes & Pont du Gard Small Group Half-Day Tour from Avignon
6. Arles
Any art lover in France will likely be drawn to Arles. This is the former home of Vincent Van Gogh and it’s rising to become the capital of art in Provence.
You can take the Van Gogh Route to see some of the exact spots that inspired some of Van Gogh’s most famous and lesser-known paintings.
Otherwise, there’s also an amphitheater, beautiful church façades, and the Cryptoportiques d’Arles – underground foundations dating back to the 1st century BC.
- How to get there: Car (50 minutes) Train (16 minutes)
- How much time to spend: One full day
🥇Tour option: Van Gogh in Arles & St Remy Plus Wine Tasting
7. Roussillon
Known to be one of the most beautiful villages in France, Roussillon is picture-perfect. Imagine cobbled streets, quaint fountains, vibrant old-world architecture, vine-covered buildings, and red cliff views.
It’s on a hillside with lovely views of Provence and there are wineries nearby, like Domaine de Tara and Chasson Chateaublanc.
- How to get there: Car (1 hour) Train (2 hours)
- How much time to spend: Morning + afternoon
🥇 Tour option: Luberon, Roussillon & Gordes Half-Day Tour from Avignon
8. Cassis
If you want to visit the Mediterranean Coast when considering day trips from Avignon, I recommend the lesser-known port town of Cassis.
It’s wonderful on a warm day. It’s overlooked by a centuries-old château and is home to a charming port, pebbly beaches, and calanques, which are narrow inlets framed by steep, limestone cliffs. Come here to swim, sunbathe, and relax.
- How to get there: Car (1 hour 45 minutes) Train (2 hours)
- How much time to spend: Full day
🥇 Tour option: Full Day Private Tour of Aix en Provence Cap Canaille and Cassis
9. Wine Tour – Châteauneuf-du-Pape
If you are looking for an Avignon winery day trip, Châteauneuf-du-Pape is a unique choice.
The land is covered in 8,000 acres of vineyards, but it only produces two wines, a red Châteauneuf-du-Pape and a white Châteauneuf-du-Pape.
Châteauneuf-du-Pape is a wine lovers paradise. It’s a short 20 minute drive from Avignon and is one of the top wine regions in southern France situated in the Rhône Valley! One of the best things to do is to hop around to different wineries in the area to enjoy the unique flavors and learn about the different production processes.
While you can definitely drive your own vehicle and check out a few places, I recommend going on a guided tour to truly grasp the full experience.
You can book a wine tasting tour from Avignon and enjoy a wine tasting, tour of the vineyards, and stop for a Provencal lunch along the way.
- How to get there: Car (30 minutes) Train (1 hour)
- How much time to spend: Half day
🥇 Tour option: Afternoon wine tour to Châteauneuf-du-Pape
👉 For a curated list of wine tours, check out my blog post on the best Avignon wine tours, both full and half day.
10. Gordes
Visit the historic and lovely town of Gordes as another amazing Avignon day trip.
It’s perched high on a hilltop with idyllic views of Luberon, and the drive going up toward it is also incredibly picturesque.
While in the town, check out L’Eglise Saint Fermin from the 18th century. This church has a colorful main chapel with 8 side chapels dedicated to different patron saints.
I highly recommend booking a day tour with a guide to Gordes, as they can tell you all about the history and the town’s rebellious spirit from the Middle Ages and beyond.
If you visit in summer, the Abbaye Notre-Dame de Sénanque has its lavender fields open to the public. But year round you can still do tours of the monastery and its cloisters.
- How to get there: Car (1 hour) Train (2.5 hours)
- How much time to spend: Half day
🥇 Tour option: Best of Luberon in an Afternoon
11. Les Baux-de-Provence
Another place to visit in Provence, named among the “Most Beautiful Villages in France”, is Les Baux-de-Provence. Its population is only around 300 but the village attracts more than 1 million visitors a year.
Les Baux is set on a rocky plateau of the Alpilles and it’s essentially a medieval stone fortress.
Some parts are in ruins, like Château des Baux de Provence. It was built during the 10th century and is located at the very top of the hill. You can even see views of Arles and other Avignon day trip destinations.
One of the best reasons to visit is to experience a show at the former quarry-turned-art-center called Carrières de Lumiéres. The venue combines music, light, and art, and walking through feels like being inside of a painting. It features works from famous artists around the world, like Van Gogh and Monet.
- How to get there: Car (50 minutes)
- How much time to spend: Full day
🥇 Tour option: From Avignon: Arles, Les Baux-de-Provence & Saint-Rémy Tour
12. Saint-Rémy-de-Provence
The village of St-Rémy-de-Provence has a charming, old-world feel. Imagine vine-covered stone walls, squares with wooden shutters, artisan shops, and bistros.
It’s a cute town to spend a morning or afternoon near Avignon. It works well as a stopover during a day trip to Les Baux.
- How to get there: Car (30 minutes)
- How much time to spend: Morning or afternoon
🥇 Tour option: From Avignon: Arles, Les Baux-de-Provence & Saint-Rémy Tour
13. Salon-de-Provence
For one of the prettiest hidden gems in Provence, I recommend a day trip from Avignon to Salon-de-Provence.
The village is from the largely Renaissance era, with a 17th-century clock tower as one of the main focal points. There are also charming squares, a moss-covered fountain, and lots of quaint shops and historic relics to enjoy.
Salon is also famous for its murals. The most popular is the huge mural of Nostradamus. He was born in Saint-Rémy but died in Salon in 1566. He’s buried inside of the Saint-Laurent Church.
- How to get there: Car (40 minutes) Train (1.5 hours) Train + Bus (1 hour 45 minutes)
- How much time to spend: A few hours
🥇 Tour option: From Avignon: Arles, Les Baux-de-Provence & Saint-Rémy Tour
14. Mont Ventoux
One of the best natural places to visit on a day trip from Avignon is Mont Ventoux. It’s the tallest mountain in the Provence area, famous for its challenging cycling routes and stunning views.
Whether you’re a cyclist, hiker, or prefer driving, you can reach the summit and enjoy breathtaking panoramic views of Provence from this high vantage point.
- How to get there: Car (1 hour)
- How much time to spend: A few hours
15. Valensole
Have you ever seen those beautiful photos of bright purple lavender fields in the surrounding countryside in southern France? If you’re around in the summer months of June, July, or August, Valensole is a great day trip from Avignon.
This area in France is famous for its vast and colorful lavender fields, drawing tourists from all over the world.
Whether you’ve been there before or not, seeing the natural beauty of lavender fields in person is a must-do while you’re in the surrounding area.
- How to get there: Car (1 hour and 30 minutes)
- How much time to spend: A full day
🥇 Tour option: One-Day Lavender Tour of Valensole, Sault and Luberon
16. Aix-en-Provence
Aix-en-Provence is a small village known for its fabulous markets where you can purchase local produce, goods, and mingle with the residents of the town.
It’s known for its narrow streets with plenty of shops, restaurants, and adorable buildings that will quickly have you falling in love with this picturesque town.
It’s worth noting that it is one of the most expensive towns in France so if you’re on a budget, I recommend just spending a few hours getting to know the town but even though it comes with an expensive price it’s still worth visiting for the markets, cultural heritage, and atmosphere.
- How to get there: Car (1 hour)
- How much time to spend: A few hours
🥇 Tour option: Aix en Provence, Marseille, & Cassis Private Tour in Minivan
17. Camargue
Camargue is the place to be for wild life. Here you will find the famous Camargue horses and countless different bird species including beautiful pink flamingos. It’s the perfect place to escape cities and picturesque villages and just be one with nature.
- How to get there: Car (1 hour)
- How much time to spend: A few hours
🥇 Tour option: Camargue Small-Group Day Trip from Avignon
18. Marseille
If you are looking for a quick and easy day trip from Avignon to the Mediterranean Sea, look no further.
Marseille is a great place for taking in seaside views, exploring beautiful architectural buildings like the Abbaye Saint-Victor and Marseille Cathedral, or enjoying historical sites like Palais Longchamp.
It’s a city with a little bit of everything but my personal favorite part is its prime location on the Mediterranean which is perfect for soaking up the sun and enjoying fresh food.
- How to get there: Train (40 minutes to 1 hour)
- How much time to spend: A full day
FAQs about Day Trips from Avignon
Keep reading below as I answer a few questions about day trips from Avignon.
How many days do you need in Avignon?
Two to four days are perfect. One or two days to see Avignon and one or two days for day trips.
Can you do a day trip to Aix-en-Provence?
Yes, it takes about an hour by car or bus.
Is Avignon a good base for Provence?
Yes! It is an excellent base to explore most of Provence.
Can you do a day trip from Nice to Provence?
Yes. From Nice you can take a day tour to the Lavendar Fields, or visit Aix-en-Provence or take a Provence Wine Tour. However, there are more Provence tour options from Avignon.
Where to Stay in Avignon
These are excellent hotels in the medieval center of Avignon.
📍Luxury Option: Hôtel La Mirande Well known and loved hotel next to the Pope’s Palace. Elegant with a Michelin-starred restaurant.
📍Mid-Range Option: Hôtel Garlande Quaint boutique hotel in the heart of Avignon.
📍Budget Option: Hôtel le Colbert Cozy and small hotel on a quiet street in the historic center.
📍Budget Option: Regina Boutique Hotel Excellent location with buffet breakfast, five munite walk to Palais des Papaes. Local products for sale like jam and olives on site.
Final Thoughts: Day Trips from Avignon
With its medieval charm and lively character, Avignon is the perfect destination for a memorable trip and as a bonus, it is an excellent base for exploring the Rhone Valley and Provence.
Whether you visit Arles to follow in Van Gogh’s footsteps, discover Roman history in Orange, or enjoy the coastal beauty of Marseille, each trip reveals a unique atmosphere and ambiance found in Provence. Enjoy!
👉 Related reading on travel to Avignon:
7 Outstanding Avignon Wine Tours for 2024: Insider’s Guide
Is Avignon Worth Visiting? Who Should Visit, Why, and Quick Guide
