10 Best Day Trips from Avignon

There are many reasons why Avignon is a very interesting city to explore. In the 14th century it was the seat of the Catholic popes, which left a mark that can still be seen today. But if you have decided to visit it, you can take the opportunity to go on an excursion and visit neighbouring towns and villages.

There are many options: Luberon and Nîmes, Pont du Gard or the vineyards of Provence. So read on and decide which ones to add to your itinerary.

The Luberon is a dream region 30 kilometres from Avignon. Its three mountain ranges are dotted with picturesque villages and majestic landscapes. This excursion takes you to discover and explore this beautiful site, starting from Avignon accompanied by a guide, who will tell you all about the different places you will see.

During the itinerary, you will be able to enjoy the reddish cliffs of the Roussillon, where you will have the opportunity to take pictures, as well as in Gordes, which besides being a village that looks like something out of a painting, has a site with breathtaking panoramic views.

You will visit the Fontaine de Vaucluse, where you will have some free time to walk around and even refresh yourself, if the weather at the time of your visit allows it. Without a doubt, if you book this tour that includes Gordes and Fontaine de Vaucluse, among other places, you will marvel at the variety of colours you will see at all times.

Details of interest:

• Price: from €77 per person.
• Duration: the experience lasts approximately 5 and a half hours.
• Means of transport: air-conditioned minivan.
• Advantage of this option: it is carried out in small groups of up to 8 people, so the excursion is quite personalised.
• Disadvantage of this option: it does not include refreshments on any part of the tour.

An ideal way to spend a day breathing in the fresh air of the countryside and admiring the beautiful scenery of the lavender fields is to book a lavender tour of Sault, which will take you through the surrounding purple fields of lavender flowers to learn all about their cultivation and harvesting.

Afterwards, it will take you to Sault and Gordes to see lavender shops and a traditional Provençal market.

The itinerary includes free time in the village of Roussillon and Gordes, as well as short photo stops at specific points, such as Notre-Dame de Senanque Abbey. Please note that in order to enjoy this experience you will need to be aware that lavender flowering is during the summer.

Details of interest:

• Price: from €55 per person.
• Duration: the tour lasts about 5 hours.
• Means of transport: air-conditioned minivan.
• Advantage of this option: includes pick-up and drop-off at the hotel.
• Disadvantage of this option: does not include entrance to the Notre-Dame de Senanque Abbey.

This excursion is another of the options for walks with historical content, as you will be able to discover a large part of the region's heritage at the sites to be visited. The tour of just 25 kilometres, you will do it with the company of an experienced local guide and with a small group so you will have the opportunity to ask questions about what you are contemplating.

Among the main attractions included in the itinerary of this tour, you will find:

• Saint Rémy de Provence village, site of the triumphal arch and funerary monument.
• Les Baux de Provence, a village characterised by its rocky constructions, where you will be able to appreciate sites such as the Church of Saint Vincent or the ruins of the castle.
• The Hôtel des Porcelets.
• Pont du Gard, a Roman aqueduct that has been declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO.
• Glanum, a city founded by the Celts/Ligurians and later conquered by the Romans, which has a very interesting archaeological site.

If you decide to book an excursion to Saint Rémy, Pont du Gard and Les Baux, you will feel like you have travelled back in time to medieval times. It's a great alternative to combine a walk through picturesque landscapes while experiencing Provençal history.

Details of interest:

• Price: from €77 per passenger.
• Duration: the tour lasts between 5-6 hours in total.
• Means of transport: you will be driven in an air-conditioned minivan.
• Advantage of this option: you will see some of the most interesting places in the region with a guide and in record time.
• Disadvantage of this option: it is not adapted for wheelchair users.

A must-do is to take one of the best Van Gogh tours in Provence that will take you to the sites in Provence that played an important role in the life of the iconic post-impressionist painter, as well as visiting the best of the city.

If you book a Van Gogh tour from Avignon you will see places that inspired the artist in his creations, such as:

• The World Heritage village of Arles, where you will see among other things, the Café La Nuit painted by Van Gogh.
• St-Rémy, where you can visit the Saint-Paul de Mausole, the mental health institution where Van Gogh spent a year of his life. There you will have the opportunity to enter a reproduction of the painter's room, and also see a reproduction of his paintings.
• Amphitheatre (les Arenes), which dates back to the time of the Roman Empire and, thanks to its excellent state of preservation, is still used for concerts and large-scale events.

If you are a fan of Vincent Van Gogh's artistic legacy, you should not miss this opportunity to get to know the places in Provence that are intimately linked to its history.

Details of interest:

• Price: from €96 per person.
• Duration: the tour lasts approximately 6 hours.
• Means of transport: you will be driven in an air-conditioned minivan.
• Advantage of this option: includes entrance to the dormitory of Saint-Paul de Mausole.
• Disadvantage of this option: not recommended for pregnant women.

This tour is one of the best day trips to Provence from Avignon, ideal for getting to know the highlights of the region in an organised way and without missing any detail, thanks to the itinerary and the company of your guide.

If you book a tour of Provence from Avignon you will be taken to the most representative sites of the area, such as Saint-Remy de Provence, Fontaine de Vaucluse, Pont du Gard, Les Baux de Provence, Gordes (photo stop only) and Roussillon.

During the scenic drive of almost 50 kilometres from Avignon, you will see sites such as the vineyard of Châteauneuf du Pape, the ruins of the papal summer residence, the mountain ranges that frame the town and the immense valley of the Rhône river. You will also pass through the village of Ménerbes, referred to in his book A Year in Provence by the author Peter Mayle.

Interesting details

• Price: from 130 € per person.
• Duration: this is a full day trip which takes about 10 hours.
• Means of transport: air-conditioned minivan.
• Advantage of this option: includes entrance to the Pont du Gard museum.
• Disadvantage of this option: not wheelchair accessible.

Here's an ideal option for wine lovers. If you book the wine tour of Catheauneuf du Pape you will get to know the emblematic wines of this traditional wine-growing commune.

The tour lasts four hours, but the activity excluding the return journey time is two hours. The tour includes both a visit to Catheauneuf du Pape and a wine tasting of two local varieties.

The tour is conducted in small groups of up to 8 people for a much more intimate experience. The transfer takes you from the door of your accommodation and then returns you to the same place. One of the best options if you want to taste renowned French wines while experiencing a picturesque rural region.

Details of interest:

• Price: from €96 per person.
• Duration: the experience lasts about 4 hours.
• Means of transport: Air-conditioned minivan.
• Advantage of this option: includes wine tasting in two cantinas.
• Disadvantage of this option: if the minimum number of participants is not reached, the activity may be cancelled.

Provence is often associated with the beauty of its hilltop villages and panoramic views, but it is also one of the areas of France where there is a strong imprint of the Roman past. With this day trip from Avignon, you will have the opportunity to get to know this heritage.

Less than 50 kilometres from Avignon, the itinerary of this tour will take you to the ancient Roman amphitheatre, the Maison Carrée de Nîmes and the medieval streets of Uzes. And as if that wasn't enough, you'll get to see the Pont du Gard aqueduct, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

You'll also marvel at the regional architectural heritage, seeing buildings such as Orange, the Fenestrelle tower and the Saint-Théodorit d'Uzès cathedral. At all times you will be able to learn about everything you observe thanks to your guide, and the practically personalised attention that this activity for small groups allows you.

Details of interest:

• Price: from 149 € per person.
• Duration: the approximate duration is about 8 and a half hours.
• Means of transport: you will be taken aboard a comfortable, air-conditioned minivan.
• Advantage of this option: includes entry to the Nîmes Arena, the Pont du Gard and the Roman Theatre.
• Disadvantage of this option: it does not include snacks and drinks.

This wine tour will allow you to appreciate the beauty of Provence on your way to the villages where the best regional wineries are located, such as Tavel and Chateauneuf-du-Pape where you will have two wine tastings included.

You will be able to taste the rosé and red wines that boast of having been the favourites of French monarchs and popes. You will also learn the details of the wine production process in the southern Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur. The tour concludes with a panoramic tour of the imposing medieval ramparts and the iconic Pont Saint-Bénézet.

Undoubtedly a most interesting experience, both for wine lovers and for the curious who are interested in the behind-the-scenes of the production of typical regional products.

Details of interest:

• Price: from 250 € per person.
• Duration: the tour lasts about 4 hours in total.
• Means of transport: you will be driven in a comfortable air-conditioned minibus.
• Advantage of this option: small groups of up to 8 people.
• Disadvantage of this option: except for the wine tasting, it does not include other drinks or food.

Throughout its history, the South of France has had a strong presence of the Jewish community, whose legacy and cultural heritage can still be seen today. The Jewish community had a strong influence on the improvement of the region, both philosophically, culturally, artistically and scientifically.

This tour will introduce you to the fascinating history of the Jewish people of Provence, as you visit ancient synagogues, cemeteries and other buildings of the community. At all times you will have the benefit of your guide's commentary, so you can learn in depth about what you see. This is an interesting way to learn about the region's past that helped shape its identity today.

Details of interest:

• Price: from €80 per person.
• Duration: the experience lasts 8 hours in total.
• Means of transport: you will be taken aboard a comfortable air-conditioned minibus.
• Advantage of this option: accessible for wheelchair users.
• Disadvantage of this option: drinks and snacks are not included.

Another possibility after enjoying the best things to see and do in Avignon is to spend the day touring Arles and the Camargue. This tour, 40 kilometres from the centre of Avignon, takes you to discover the historical wonders that are housed in Arles and the incredible landscapes of the Camargue. On this tour you will also be able to see Van Gogh's footprints, as this region was part of his life.

In Arles, you will see the famous Roman ruins, and also appreciate nature's jewels, such as the region of pink flamingos, Camargue horses and black bulls.

A visit to the Camargue village of Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer, a walk along the beaches and a hike appreciating the most relevant historical monuments of the region are included.

Details of interest:

• Price: from €82 per traveller.
• Duration: the tour takes about 5 and a half hours in total.
• Means of transport: you will be driven in an air-conditioned minivan.
• Advantage of this option: it can be done either in the morning or in the afternoon.
• Disadvantage of this option: it does not include snacks and drinks.