Montpellier: The city of Montpellier is a great day out for anyone with an interest in history, and it’s just a 90 minute drive from Avignon. Boasting a pedestrianised historic centre (where you will find a Gothic cathedral, a Jewish ritual bath, opulent mansions and museums dedicated to anatomy and decorative arts), Montpellier has something for everyone. When you’re ready for a bite to eat, head to Place de la Comédie — a large plaza lined with cafés and restaurants (and a fantastic place to soak up the city’s vibrant atmosphere).
The Camargue: Just under an hour’s drive from Avignon, The Camargue nature reserve is a ‘must-see’ for animal-lovers. At the reserve, you will find marshes that are home to a variety of species — including flamingos, foxes, horses, bulls and 340 different types of bird. For a unique way to see the park, why not take a horse-drawn carriage tour along the paths?
Aix-en-Provence: The university city of Aix-en-Provence is around an hour’s drive from Avignon. Brimming with culture, the city was the birthplace of the post-impressionist artist Paul Cézanne — and you can even visit the house where he started painting. Explore the historic centre (home to the third-largest collection of Baroque architecture in France), then take a romantic stroll along the Cours Mirabeau — a café-lined thoroughfare shaded by plane trees.