Marseille - getting to Avignon (Palace of the Popes): excursion recommendations

[Over from NZ]

Hello. Our second time at the port of Marseille. Wanting to go to the Palace of the Popes and Avignon (and possibly Pont du Gard if possible). Can anybody recommend any excursions? Thank you. 

[Hlitner]

13 hours ago, Over from NZ said:

Hello. Our second time at the port of Marseille. Wanting to go to the Palace of the Popes and Avignon (and possibly Pont du Gard if possible). Can anybody recommend any excursions? Thank you. 

I cannot recommend excursions (we avoid excursions) but can give you some DIY options.  There are over trains a day (ranging from 31 min to over 1:15) between Marseille and Avignon.  The regular SNCF station in Avignon is within walking distance of the old cities walls.  If one were to take the TGV train, the Avignon TGV station is further from the walled town and they would need a shuttle or taxi.  Once inside the walls, everything is walkable (assuming you are able and willing).  

 

If you want to go to Pont du Gard you either need a tour, a car/driver, or a rental car.  With a rental car one could do both Pont du Gard and a short visit to Avignon although this does assume you have a full port day in Marseille.  

 

I will just add that DW and I have oft stayed in this part of France (have rented flats in both Avignon and St Remy) and it is among our favorite parts of the country.  While visiting on a port day can be a wonderful experience, actually staying in the area for a few days (or weeks) is very rewarding.

 

Hank

 

[Over from NZ]

Thanks Hank. We're fit and mobile and the walking is no issue. Yes, full port day in Marseilles. However, not as confident with the DIY side of things, which is why we prefer small-van excursions. Thank you for all your tips. 

[Hlitner]

11 hours ago, Over from NZ said:

Thanks Hank. We're fit and mobile and the walking is no issue. Yes, full port day in Marseilles. However, not as confident with the DIY side of things, which is why we prefer small-van excursions. Thank you for all your tips. 

A small van/group excursion would be perfect for your itinerary.  Just a matter of finding a tour provider and getting a few others to join the group (love the Roll Calls for that purpose).  Many on CC have sung the praises of Tours by Locals and perhaps that is worth pursuing.  If you were to have enough time, another possibility would be to add a stop at Les Baux.  This does get into the usual debate of how much is too much to do on a single tour.

 

Hank

[Dancer Bob]

I vote with the small van tour. Just getting to & from Gare St Charles in Marseille isn't convenient. The TER trains to Avignon Centre are usually but not always on time. DIY is a bit ambitious for a port stop.

[ollienbertsmum]

As Hank said, to do a trip just to Avignon is easy by train.  To include anything else would be a car or an organised trip.  Might be a good idea to set something up and promote it on your roll call.  A group trip is often good value when you divide the costs per person,

[Over from NZ]

On 12/27/2022 at 9:45 PM, ollienbertsmum said:

As Hank said, to do a trip just to Avignon is easy by train.  To include anything else would be a car or an organised trip.  Might be a good idea to set something up and promote it on your roll call.  A group trip is often good value when you divide the costs per person,

Yep. That's what we're hoping to do. If anybody has any recommendations for excursions would be great. 

[laurieb]

Tours By Locals has some good options.  We took a couple tours through the company last August and were very happy with them.