Avignon and Marseille

[PunksVersusBrats]

I'm thinking of going to Avignon and Marseille at the end of August with DH and teen DS. We'd fly into Marseille and get the train to Avignon.

That's as far as I've got so far 😁

Does anyone have any recommendations for good accomodation, things to do, etc. that they've experienced themselves?

Only got the bus in Avignon so didn’t see much but I just wanted to recommend Aix en Provence as well, and a tour of Valensole for the lavender fields. Also recommend a wine tasting of the different rosés from the region :) Just came back and really enjoyed it! Cassis is also great for the Calanques.

You might as well get the train- Eurostar to Paris, then Avignon is 2.5 hours on the TGV, Marseille half an hour after that.

It could well be very very hot in August (caused in part by people taking so many flights, ironically 🙄)

This should help:

https://www.theguardian.com/travel/2026/jun/16/art-trail-through-provence-france-marseille-arles-aix-avignon

Don’t miss the Cite Radieuse in Marseille. (From the top you can look down over the World Cup stadium.) And Aix en Provence is a perfect counterpoint to Marseille.

We did Marseille and Avignon last year. I won't recommend where we stayed in Avignon as it was like a furnace. However, loved both Marseille and Avignon. Avignon is a great city to just hang out in but easy to get to Arles, Orange, Pont du Gard etc.

Well I can squeeze in a judgement on people taking flights to somewhere supremely easy to get to by train on a thread about taking flights somewhere supremely easy to get to by train at a time of year when it's likely to be dangerously hot due to anthropogenic climate change, certainly 😆

Thanks for the info so far.

We're coming from Wales so Eurostar wouldn't work particularly well for us, but I can see how it would make sense if you're closer.

Expedia is still giving me some (limited) options for accomodation and I'm ever the optimist 😆

It's last minute due to an elderly family member (who we needed to stay close by for) passing away last month. Normally I'm ridiculously organised and plan way ahead. It sounds like a room with air-conditioning is a must though!

Trying to think what I've said, for MN to hide my (innocuous) reply 😲

Phew, all good 🙈

I second Aix. I lived there for a year. It's very expensive though. Anywhere along the south coast is worth visiting even st tropez even though I think there is nothing there, but it's good to have seen it, also nice is lovely & monaco.

Avignon is lovely and interesting.

also look at Gorges du verdon.

Camping Pont D'Avignon is close by the city centre on an island in the Rhone. You can get accommodation with air conditioning and there is a pool. It is a lovely city and is easy to get to other places from.

Blimey, you've got a lot of time on your hands, haven't you 😆

It's true- I very much try not to lecture anyone, just point out that flying isn't the only- or even most comfortable or convenient- way to travel. It was just the acute irony in this case- of summer temperatures in France reaching new and dangerous levels year on year (I think a new record was broken two days ago, no?) that led me to comment.

FWIW, the last flight I took was to Italy, in 2018. It was a last minute, panicked decision because I had some child free time at short notice. We landed in Venice and the city was gripped by a heatwave in the 40s. And it was that irony that made me vow to stop flying unless strictly unavoidable. I've avoided it for 8 years and counting.

OP, I would recommend the Calanques National Park, on the outskirts of Marseille. It's stunning, but they do stop access in periods of extreme heat, which are happening with increasing frequency. We went at the end of October (by train natch 😉), and could swim and sunbathe. Which, again, is unusual- but happening with increasing frequency.

We got from Cornwall (4.5 hours from London) to Marseille in a day, by train. With an Interrail pass it would be about £300 for an adult, less for a "youth", and that's 4 days travel, so could also include a couple of day trips.

Marseille is usually a great bargain for accommodation, due to its rough reputation (I really like it though), Avignon I'm not sure. I use the map function on booking.com, so you can see price and location at the same time.

Right....🙄

Go you, keyboard hero.

We stayed in Hotel l'Horloge in Avignon which was right by the main square and was charming. In Marseille we stayed in Grand Hotel Beauvau and were lucky to be upgraded to a suite.

I don't know about aircon as it was New Year.

I love that part of the world.

Goodness me! I can’t believe how many deleted posts here. Surely everyone can be civil on a travel site.

Aix en Provence was mentioned up thread. It’s a lovely city and an easy day trip by bus from Avignon.

There are regular TGV trains from Marseilles to Avignon via Aix. There is also a bus service that runs from the Marseilles city centre - Airport - Aix TGV station - Aix city centre. As Aix TGV is in your direction of travel you might want to consider going that way rather than going back on yourself.

Both Avignon TGV and Aix TGV are situated out of town and you will need a bus or taxi to the centre.

Enjoy yourself, it sounds a fun trip.

Both will be lovely but super hot in August. Last time I was in Avignon it was unbearably hot so definitely think about AC, swimming pool, balcony etc when booking accommodation.
I really loved Isle de la Sorgue near Avignon. I also thought Villeneuve les Avignon, which is a short walk just over the river, was a lovely spot. Less touristy and busy than Avignon.
Arles is a short train ride from Avignon and is lovely.

I love that area and know it well. I travelled to marseille by (overnight!) train just last month. Although flights to Marseille are frequent and often not too expensive. All the places mentioned are fab… Cassis and the Calanques are easily accessible from marseille - we did a boat trip once, but usually drive. Bandol is also nice.

id say a/c in August would be essential. The only alternative would be to head north a couple of hours into the Hautes Alpes. You will be fine there (and prices will drop too!)

Have fun!

Thanks again, lots of useful stuff 🤗

I've been on MN for close to 20 years and have never started such a contentious thread. I feel a little giddy, to be honest 😄