9 Best Day Trips from Avignon (by Train, Bus, or Guided Tour)

Places to Visit Near Avignon

This article lists 9 great day trips from Avignon without a car and how to get there. If you are in a hurry, jump directly to the Avignon day trips list here.

The beautiful medieval city of Avignon is packed with Provençal charm, which makes it one of the most popular tourist destinations in Southern France.

While there’s no shortage of fantastic things to do in Avignon, the town is known as the “Gateway to Provence” for its central location, which allows easy day trips by public transportation or guided tours. Yes, you won’t need a car to discover quiet and fairytale-like villages, lavender fields, and art-centered towns from Avignon!

Here is a list of the best places to visit near Avignon to explore the beauty of Southern France and have an unforgettable vacation. This list includes some of the best places to visit in Provence, but there are also a couple of places in the Occitanie region.

Best Avignon Day Trips

So, where to go from Avignon? Here’s the list of the best places to visit near Avignon by train, bus, or guided tours, terrific Avignon day trips to explore more of Southern France:

1. Arles
2. Marseille
3. Hilltop Villages in Luberon
4. Lavender Fields
5. Châteauneuf-du-Pape
6. Saint-Rémy-de-Provence
7. Baux-de-Provence
8. Pont du Gard
9. Uzès

1. Arles

Just 39 km south of Avignon, Arles is a lovely city that inspired many of Vincent Van Gogh’s paintings. The artist lived in town for a year and painted many of his most famous works here, like “Starry Night Over the Rhône.”

Strolling around the Old Town, zigzagging through charming alleys, will make you feel like you are inside a Van Gogh canvas! You can follow the Van Gogh Route to discover the places where Van Gogh lived and worked in the city and visit the Fondation Van Gogh, which pays due homage to his work.

Arles is an awesome day-trip idea not only for art lovers but also for history buffs. The town was an important colony of the Roman Empire, and several structures built during that period can still be visited, including the ruins of the Constantine Baths, the beautiful Arles Theater, the impressive Amphitheatre, and the Alyscamps Necropolis (my favorite). There’s a combo ticket to visit part or all of the Roman sites that saves you some money.

How to get from Avignon to Arles: Regional (TER) trains leave from Avignon Centre station for Arles every 30 minutes for a train journey of 18 minutes (one way). You don’t need to book tickets in advance. If you are a fan of Van Gogh, this Van Gogh tour with an expert guide visits Arles and other sites related to the artist.

2. Marseille

Sitting on the coast of the Mediterranean Sea, Marseille is 100 km south of Avignon. The capital of the Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur region, Marseille is a lively and culturally rich city with a long history and is one of the best day trips from Avignon by train.

France’s second-biggest city, Marseille’s Vieux Port (Old Port), is an unmissable attraction, with many restaurants and bars. The Panot, Marseille’s oldest neighborhood, is super cute, and the Basilica Notre Dame de la Garde is a must-see too.

There are many more things to do in Marseille, including visiting the Marseille Cathedral and the MuCEM, a museum dedicated to Mediterranean cultures. For one day in Marseille, this tried and tested e-bike tour gives a good overview of the city.

Marseille is also a fantastic spot for food lovers. It is the birthplace of classic Provençal dishes like bouillabaisse, and you can also taste the exciting flavors of the African-French cuisine blend.

How to get from Avignon to Marseille: Regional (TER) trains leave from Avignon Centre station for Marseille every 30 minutes. The journey takes from 1,5 hours to 2 hours (one way). Click here to buy your train tickets to Marseille.

3. Hilltop Villages in Luberon

The stunning villages of the Luberon Valley are located in the middle of Provence, 60 km east of Avignon.

The most beautiful hilltop villages in Luberon are Gordes, Roussillon, Ménerbes, and Bonnieux, which you can visit on an easy day trip from Avignon. These charming, fortified villages have everything your heart desires: breathtaking views over lavender fields and long landscapes of vineyards, medieval churches and castles, local food delicacies, and art and crafts shops.

If you prefer a more active Avignon day trip, the areas surrounding the villages offer great hiking opportunities, like the Ochre Trail, which is in the Roussillon village. Between June and August, you can also see beautiful lavender fields.

How to get from Avignon to the Luberon Hilltop Villages: Although most of the villages are connected to Avignon by bus, the bus times and frequencies aren’t thought for tourists. The best way to get the most out of this area is to take this guided tour with transportation, which visits Lacoste, Roussillon, and Gordes.

4. Lavender Fields (Seasonal)

Between mid-June and the beginning of August, it’s lavender season in Provence, and there are many places to visit near Avignon with beautiful lavender fields.

The lavender fields around the village of Valensole, 133 km east of Avignon, are the most famous lavender fields in Provence. The landscapes all around are superb, and you can explore the deep-purple lavender fields by walking or biking. The colors and scents of the lavender fields will never leave your memory!

Once you have spent time in nature, head to the village to visit the Abbaye Notre-Dame de Sénanque, majestically surrounded by a lavender field, and to try the local food delights, first and foremost, the lavender honey.

How to visit the lavender fields on a day trip from Avignon: There are many guided tours with transportation that explore the lavender fields near Avignon. This Lavender Ocean full-day tour visits the lavender fields of Valensole, two villages in the Luberon Valley, and the Occitane shop. This Lavender Villages day tour, instead, is focused on the lavender fields around the Sénanque Abbey and also visits two villages and a traditional Provençal market.

5. Wine Tasting in Châteauneuf-du-Pape

Châteauneuf-du-Pape is a small town nestled in the heart of Provence. Located just 16km north of Avignon, the town was once the summer residence of the Popes of Avignon, and you can still see the ruins of their medieval castle.

Today, Châteauneuf du Pape is world-renowned for its full-bodied wines. Châteauneuf-du-Pape AOC is considered to be one of the most prestigious AOCs (Appellation d’Origine Contrôlée) in France, with interesting blends being crafted from varietals such as Grenache Noir, Syrah, and Mourvèdre.

How to plan an Avignon day trip to Châteauneuf-du-Pape: All the Châteauneuf-du-Pape wine tours from Avignon are consistently top-rated and usually include the visit of two or three wineries with wine tastings and a quick photo stop in the ruins of the medieval castle. These tours are also a good opportunity to buy your favorite bottles directly from the producers, which are always cheaper than in the wine shops in Avignon. If you prefer to combine sightseeing with wine tastings, this top-rated guided tour visits Châteauneuf-du-Pape, Pont du Gard, Uzès, and the city of Orange.

6. Saint-Rémy de Provence

Just 25 km south of Avignon, Saint-Rémy-de-Provence is one of the best day trips from Avignon. The beautiful landscapes of the Alpilles region surround this charming town.

One of the best things to do in St Rémy is to visit its famous market, where you can browse and shop for everything from local food to arts and crafts.

Unmissable is the Saint-Paul de Mausole Monastery, a former asylum where Van Gogh lived for a year. The painter created some of his most stunning works here.

St Rémy is also home to France’s best-preserved ancient Roman city, Glanum, and it is the birthplace of the (in)famous Nostradamus. And if you love shopping and wine tastings, you surely won’t get bored in St Rémy!

How to get from Avignon to Saint-Rémy: Saint-Rémy is one of the easiest day trips from Avignon by bus. The bus station is right next to the train station, and the bus journey (line 707) takes one hour (one way) and also stops in Glanum. Most people, however, prefer the comfort of a Provence highlights tour, which combines several places to visit in Avignon. This guided tour from Avignon visits Arles, St. Rémy, and Baux-de-Provence and always gets the best ratings.

7. Baux-de-Provence

For a step back in time, drive 38 km south of Avignon to the hilltop town of Baux-de-Provence. Named one of the “Most Beautiful Villages in France,” the town’s construction dates back to 6,000 BC.

It is a unique place to visit in southern France, with its winding cobblestone streets lined with ancient houses. The Château des Baux is the best spot in the village to admire the breathtaking views of the Alpilles mountain range. Inside the castle, a fascinating museum traces the village’s history and showcases one of France’s few functioning siege engines.

The frozen-in-time atmosphere of Baux-de-Provence is broken by the contemporary, immersive art exhibits of Les Carrières des Lumières, former stone quarries turned into a digital and immersive art center.

If you love history and art, you will love a day trip to Baux-de-Provence!

How to get from Avignon to Baux-de-Provence: Baux-de-Provence is an easy bus ride from Avignon (line 707). The bus station is right next to the train station, and the bus journey takes one hour (one way). Most people, however, prefer the comfort of a Provence highlights tour, which combines several places to visit in Avignon. This guided tour from Avignon visits Arles, St. Rémy, and Baux-de-Provence and always gets the best ratings.

8. Pont du Gard

In the Occitanie region, Pont Du Gard is located 25 km west of Avignon. Built in the 1st century CE, the aqueduct is 50 meters tall and one of the most well-preserved Roman aqueducts in Europe. Locals love having picnics in the aqueduct’s shadow, perhaps with a bath in the river. Another great picnic spot for a relaxing day is along the banks of the Gardon River.

If you prefer something more adventurous, you can kayak down the river or walk one of the many trails around the town.

Pont Du Gard is a lovely UNESCO-listed town, perfect for a summer day trip with the whole family.

How to get from Avignon to Pont du Gard: Pont du Gard is an easy bus ride from Avignon (line 115). The bus station is right next to the train station, and the bus journey takes one hour (one way). This is the same bus line that covers Uzès, so you can visit both places on a day trip from Avignon by bus (this is what I did). Most people, however, prefer the comfort of a Provence highlights tour, which combines several places to visit in Avignon. This top-rated guided tour from Avignon visits three villages in the Luberon, the Pont du Gard, St-Rémy-de-Provence, and Baux-de-Provence.

9. Uzès

One of the most beautiful towns in the South of France, Uzès is right in the heart of the Occitanie region, 40 km west of Avignon. Strolling the town’s cobblestone streets and admiring the buildings’ stone facades is like stepping into a fairytale.

Uzès is a great day trip for history lovers, as it was the first duchy (a territory controlled by a duke or duchess) in France. Its noble medieval history is evident in the many towers, turrets, and crumbling fountains scattered around the town’s center.

Climb the Château Ducal d’Uzès’ tower to admire spectacular views over the town alongside the landscapes of the Eure Valley. While in Uzès, don’t miss browsing the local market for a quintessentially French experience. 

How to get from Avignon to Uzès: Uzès is an easy bus ride from Avignon. The bus station is right next to the train station, and the bus journey (line 115) takes one hour (one way). This is the same bus line that covers Pont du Gard, so you can visit both places on a day trip from Avignon (this is what I did). Most people, however, prefer the comfort of a Provence highlights tour, which combines several places to visit in Avignon. This half-day guided tour from Avignon visits Pont du Gard, Uzès, and Nîmes.

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