10+ Best Day Trips From Avignon You’ll Love to Take

Last Updated on 26th June 2024 by Sophie Nadeau

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Avignon also makes a great base for exploring the wider Provence region and, if you’re looking to enjoy the local area, we recommend staying at least three or four days. Here’s your ultimate guide to the best day trips from Avignon you must take!

Avignon is a walled city in the South of France which has been inhabited since the Roman times and perhaps even earlier. Characterised by its sun-soaked façades and intense wind throughout the year (the Roman name for the settlement, Avenio, derives from the fact that Avignon is so windy).

If it’s your first time in the city, be sure to check out our suggestions for how to spend the perfect one day in Avignon and the best hidden gems of Avignon.

Getting around Provence

Avignon is known as the transport hub of western Provence, it’s never been easier to get there! The TGV will get you from Paris to Avignon in just under 3 hours, and there’s also a small airport which offers a limited number of flights, including direct ones from the UK!

Although Avignon is well served by trains and buses, the public transport in its surrounding areas is more geared towards locals getting around so you may at times find yourself more restricted.

If you can, we recommend hiring a car (check car rental comparison prices here) to get around so that you can get the full experience of exploring Provence! That being said, we have noted down possible travel options for some of the day trips if public transport is your only mode of transportation, also to note that taxis are another possible option if you have a bigger budget for your trip.

Book a day excursion

If you’re the kind of traveller who likes to have all the details taken care of for you, then booking a day tour is a great way to see a lot of different towns and attractions in the Provence region without having to worry about transportation arrangements. Here are some of our top picks:

• From Avignon: Full-Day Best of Provence Tour
• Avignon: Pont du Gard, Saint Remy and Les Baux Half-Day Tour
• From Avignon: Half-Day Van Gogh & Carrières de Lumières Tour
• From Avignon: Gordes, Fontaine de Vaucluse & L’Isle s/Sorgue
• From Avignon: In the Footsteps of Van Gogh in Provence

Day trips from Avignon

Gorgeous, unique and bursting with historic charm, the medieval settlements that lie beyond the borders of Avignon city each have something to offer those who visit. Read on for some of our top suggestions on the best day trips to take from Avignon and how to get there.

Les Baux-de-Provence and Carrières de Lumières

One of the most charming day trips from Avignon happens to be a venture to one of the most beautiful villages in Provence! Les-Baux-de-Provence is a high hilltop town with a population of just a few dozen permanent residents.

Well-preserved and dating back centuries, the little pedestrian streets hide hidden churches, small chapels, and many a boutique shop. If you’re feeling a little hungry, then I suggest heading to Le Petit Rocher, a traditional French restaurant serving delicious cuisine, they have an seats outdoors and vegetarian options too!

Carrières de Lumières, translated as Quarries of Lights, is a former underground mine rich with history which has (since 2012) been transformed as a space that hosts immersive digital art exhibitions, offering visitors a unique experience.

• Public transport: Line 707 bus takes around 1 hour 10 minutes
• Car: approximately 40 minutes

Aigues Mortes

The coastal town of Aigues-Mortes is steeped in history, a walled city in France that’s best-known for its wonderful salt fields, excellent gastronomy and bullfighting culture.

Aigues Mortes translated from French actually means ‘dead waters’ taking its name from the stagnant waters of the marshlands surrounding the commune, in fact these tidal marshes are crucial in the salt production of Aigues Mortes. Harvested since the 4th century, this destination  produces nearly 500,000 tons of salt!

Abundant with medieval building that tell stories of centuries passed, this charming little pocket of Provence is definitely worth the trip.

• Public transport: take a train to Nimes, change here for another train, travel will take up to 2 hours
• Car: just over 1 hour drive

Uzès and Pont du Gard

Uzès is a medieval delight, filled with cobbled streets, a picturesque market square and a beautiful Romanesque bell tower, this gorgeous town is the perfect place to spend a relaxing afternoon!

The highlight of Uzès is situated just a 20 minute drive or 30 minute bus ride away (line 115 bus will take you there) The Pont du Gard. This 1st century Roman aqua-duct was built to supply water to Nimes and it is one of the best preserved and most visited Roman monuments in all of France!

Listed as a World Heritage Site, and aside from paying for parking, it’s completely free to visit! After visiting the bridge and its views you can walk along the river banks below and take a dip in the refreshing crystal water, trust us when we say, it’s worth it.

• Public transport: take the 115 bus, around 50 minutes
• Car: 35 minute drive
• Book a guided tour: This one will take you to Pont du Gard, Orange, and Uzes.

Saint-Rémy-de-Provence

This charming pocket of sun dappled squares and vine cladded medieval buildings is a haven for artists. In fact you may well recognise the landscape if you are familiar with Vincent Van Gogh’s paintings of cypress trees, swirling into the blue skies, the town is well known for its associations with the artist and even has a guided Van Gogh Route to take!

Van Gogh spent a year in St-Rémy, receiving care at the Saint Paul Monastery. He took particular interest in the view from his window at night where he saw a vision of the sky filled with wonder, thus creating the well known and loved painting, Starry Night in 1889.

Wander through the narrow streets of Saint-Rémy and indulge in fine French food, or explore the shopping area of the Old Town! Every Wednesday from 7am there’s a glorious farmers market that brings the town to life, with the smells of freshly baked bread filling the air, there’s really nothing more magical!

• Public transport: bus line 707 approximately 50 minutes
• Car: 30 minutes drive

Glanum and the Thouzon Caves

Nestled between a valley, (just a 25 min walk from the centre of Saint-Rémy) lies what was once a wealthy city, the ancient archaeological site of Glanum. Offering a glimpse into Roman life, visitors can wander around and see the traces of its earliest inhabitants dating back to 2500BC!

‘Les Antiques‘ stands at the entrance of the ancient ruins, the impressive and intricate stonework of the arch gives visitors a feel for how important Glanum really was, this is also where you can buy your ticket to walk through the site.

Also in the area but around a 30 minute drive from Saint-Rémy, you can take a tour of Thouzon Caves also known as The Cave of Fairies.

Situated at the foot of Thouzon hill is this geological crystallised wonder of a cave, where visitors can take a guided tour and walk through 60 million years of history!

Arles and the Camargue

Yet another haven for lovers of art, Arles is where Van Gogh and Paul Gaugin lived and worked together for a short period of time. A beautiful city filled with Roman ruins, fabulous food and art & culture, there’s a lot to love about Arles and it makes for the perfect place to spend the day!

There is a lot of history to indulge in when in Arles, here are some of the top historic sites to see:

• Roman amphitheater
• The Alyscamps
• Saint-Trophime Cloister
• Baths of Constantine
• Cryptoportiques

Just a 20 minute drive away lies the perfect escape for nature lovers, one of France’s major wetlands.

Truly a natural wonder, Camargue was classed as a nature reserve in 1975, and is home to pink flamingos, white Camarague horses and herds of Camargue bulls and a huge variety of birds. This unique space is vast and has exceptional plains of salt marshes and salicornia moors.

The best time to visit Camargue is between March-May in the Spring time when the migratory species of birds return from Africa!

• Public transport: train takes 20 minutes
• Car: up to a 50 minute drive

Fontaine de Vaucluse

This pretty medieval village is tucked away in a valley of the Vaucluse area and known for its hidden gem, a large spring with crystal clear waters which sparkle a captivating bright emerald green!

 The spring is the source of the River Sorgue, and it consists of a network of underground rivers and streams fed with water from the surrounding mountains. Lined by cosy restaurants and cafes, it makes for a scenic spot to soak up the surrounding nature and sip on French wine.

In the village itself you’ll find Notre-Dame et Saint Véran, an 11th century church, and if you don’t mind a short hike up, overlooking the Fontaine de Vaucluse is a 13th century castle ruins, offering stunning views of the village below.

• Car: 45 minutes drive

L’isle-sur-la-Sorgue

The island on the Sorgue’ this buzzing market town is just a few kilometers down from the source of the river Fontaine de Vaucluse. Vibrant and full of life, it’s a must-see for those visiting!

A charming spot for those who love hunting through antiques and precious objects, it’s a great spot for bargain hunters too. In fact, twice yearly (once Easter and in August), more than 500 antique and second-hand dealers will meet here to present their treasures for sale.

There’s also the quaint Notre Dame des Anges, the church of angels, which is a romantic church with a decorative baroque interior, the perfect escape from the bustling markets!

• Public transport: a direct bus from the university in Avignon takes 40 minutes
• Car: 40 minutes drive

Aix-en-Provence

Known for its Marché aux Fleurs, the largest flower market in the region, a colourful array of fresh flowers and the scent of floral delights fills the city of Aix-en-Provence! Aside from this, Aix is a city filled with hidden gems and secret spots just waiting to be explored.

Aix is a university city (possibly the dreamiest place to study in France!) and was also the birthplace of French impressionist painter, Paul Cézanne.

Wander the historic streets of the city and marvel at the monuments that are scattered about, the Aix Cathedral is built on a site that dates back as far as the 1st century! Or visit The Granet Museum and immerse yourself in the world of art and culture.

Indulge in a delicacy of Aix, Calissons! This traditional diamond-shaped sweet is made with ground almonds and the essence of orange blossom, and it is a specialty of the city.

Plentiful with things to explore, Aix is a must-see destination and worth making a trip to spend the day when visiting Avignon. Aix-en-Provence also makes a great base for staying, there are many day trips for which you can easily make from Aix.

• Public transport: from the centre taking a train to Avignon TGV and then from there onto Aix-en-Provence, approximately 50 minutes journey time
• Car: around 1 hour drive

Châteauneuf-du-Pape

Perched on the hillside this magical village is renowned for its quality wine, mesmerising views and is filled with picturesque lanes, crowned by the ruins of a medieval castle.

Surrounded by a tangle of vineyards that stretch out as far as the eye can see, this is a wine lovers dream destination! Soak up the sunshine and sip on some of the finest French wine of the region as you take a tour around one of the many wineries.

Translated literally as ‘The Pope’s new castle’, you can visit the history thats so entwined with wine-making and Popes. The castle at the peak of the village was  built in the 14th century for Pope John XXII, who used it as a summer residence, and it offers stunning views of Rhône Valley and the Rhône River.

So whether its wine, history or both that you’re into, Châteauneuf-du-Pape is sure to wow your senses!

• Public transport: take the train from Avignon to Sorgues—Châteauneuf-du-Pape, around 20 minutes
• Car: approximately 25 minute drive
• Book a guided tour: This one will take you to Châteauneuf du Pape

Nîmes

One of the most important cities during the Roman Empire, Nîmes is filled with ancient treasures and monuments, so many in fact that you should probably set aside a full day to explore this beautiful spot!

Home to one of the best-preserved Roman Amphitheatres in the world! And as mentioned previously, the aqueduct of the city Pont du Gard is one of one of the best preserved and most visited Roman monuments in all of France. Here are just a few of the must-see sites in Nîmes:

• Jardin de La Fontaine
• Maison Carée
• Temple of Diana
• Castellum Aquae
• Nîmes Cathedral

Aside for its historic allure, Nîmes is a great place for shopping, eating out and simply wandering around and coming across a cosy café or two to take respite from the summer heat.

• Public transport: take a direct train from Avignon centre, 35 minutes
• Car: drive is approximately 50 minutes

Mont Ventoux

This mountain is known by many as it’s one of the most gruelling climbs in the Tour de France bicycle race! So for any keen cyclists this might be one for the bucket list.

Stretching 1,909 meters high into the sky, this extinct volcano is the highest peak of Provence, and as you can probably imagine, offers captivating views of the surrounding landscapes.

It has three different routes up the mountain, one of them being a scenic drive that you can take right up to its summit.

• Public transport: you could get a 7 minute but to PEM Gare Routière and then a taxi from there (bear in mind this is quite an expensive way to visit)
• Car: around a 50 minute drive

Dentelles de Montmirail

Another mountainous destination is that of Dentelles de Montmirail, the foothills of Mont Ventoux, this small chain. of mountains make for a beautiful natural escape!

A geological wonder to explore, the Dentelles de Montmirail are a popular climbing site, with hundred of routes for all kinds of levels, it offers some breathtaking views of the surrounding Provincial landscape. There are also great hiking routes, the perfect place to spend the day in the great outdoors.

Not to mention, the area is abundant with vineyards and wineries scattered on the mountainside, so after working up a sweat why not treat yourself to a glass of wine or two!

• Public transport: similar to Mont Ventoux, you can get a bus and then a taxi, making it quite an expnsive trip by public transport
• Car: takes approximately 45 minutes drive

Salon de Provence

Known commonly as Salon, this quaint village is scattered with narrow cobbled streets, medieval architecture rich with heritage, and also the Air Base for the French Air Force Academy.

Home to Château de l’Emperi, the biggest castle in Provence of the 12th and 13th centuries, stands dominating the Old Town of Salon. There are many other historical monuments to discover, the clock tower, the Fontaine Moussue and Saint Michel Church, to name just a few.

Taste Provence’s gold, olive oil! Moulin Mas des bories is an oil mill which offers its visitors an experience of the olive growing process and teaching the olive oil processes they use to create the tasty Provinical product.

• Public transport: a direct train from Avignon Centre → Salon takes around 1 hour
• Car: drive takes approximately 50 minutes

Roussillon

Considered one of the most beautiful villages of the area, and situated in the heart of one of the biggest ochre deposits in the world, is Roussillon.

Characterised by magnificent red cliffs and quarries of ochre in vibrant shades of yellow, red and brown. Carved out over almost two centuries ago, it’s best to avoid wearing white when exploring the incredible Roussillon Ochre Quarries.

Because of it landscape, rich in natural materials, artists find themselves drawn to this fabulous destination. While visiting you can stumble across various art galleries, studios and artists at work in the narrow streets, a true wonder for lovers of art.

If you want to take a souvenir from the village you can purchase tiny bottles of natural pigment which have been extracted from the quarry itself!

• Public transport: take two buses the line 915 & 917, journey time is just over 2 hours one-way
• Car: about an hours drive
• Book a guided tour: This one will take you to Roussillon and other Luberon highlights.

Gordes

Painted across the hillside, the picture perfect town of Gordes is a dreamy vision and one of the most famous villages in all of Provence!

Just the stunning view of Gordes from afar makes it worth the trip. However, there is plenty to explore within the narrow streets of this enchanting hilltop town, with hidden gems such as The Cellars of the Saint Firmin Palace, offering visitors a mysterious journey into Gordes’ history.

Plentiful with beautiful churches, there’s also the 10th century Château de Gordes which dominates the village, and a museum within it.

Not to mention, the stunning views from this hilltop are truly magical! Enjoy a glass of wine from one of the many rooftop terraces, a favourite being La Bastide de Gordes (a luxurious hotel with an amazing restaurant & bar which offers brethtaking views) the perfect spot to relax for the afternoon!

• Public transport: take two buses the line 915 & 917, journey time is just under 2 hours one-way
• Car: a 50 minute drive
• Book a guided tour: This one will take you to Gordes and other Luberon highlights.

Orange

The town of Orange makes for the perfect place to relax for the afternoon and indulge in French cuisine. Soaking up the sunshine and watching the world go by, this calm and charming little town is definitely worth a visit!

Visit one of the world’s best preserved Roman theatre’s that’s still in use to this day! Intricately and beautifully carved, the centre of the wall has a grand statue of Emperor Augustus that looks down into where the audience sit.

There’s also The Roman Triumphal Arch of Orange, yet another Roman souvenir to marvel at, this vast and ancient monument has withstood the test of time and remains perfectly intact.

The perfect destination to immerse yourself in rich history that surrounded the town, as well as delight in French food and wine as you soak up the sunshine.

• Public transport: you can take the line 902 bus, it takes about 50 minutes
• Car: approximately 30 minute drive

Provence Lavender Fields

Of course your trip to Avignon and its surrounding areas would not be complete without making a trip to one of Provence’s stunning lavender fields.

Deep purple and heavenly in smell, Lavender is iconic to the region of Provence and you can usually find it in bloom from the last week of June to the beginning of August. Truly one of the most gorgeous sights on earth, the lavender fields are a must-see!

There are so many places to choose from to visit fields of this sweet smelling joy of a flower! Find your ultimate guide to the best of lavender fields in Provence here.

I would personally say that the best way to get around this area is to rent your own car. If you would prefer for all of the details to be taken care of for you, then you could book a guided tour from Avignon to the lavender fields like this one.

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