#eurovirgin Posted January 17, 2017 #1 Share Posted January 17, 2017 How doable is it to rent a car and drive yourself around for a day in Provence? We are docking in Marseille. It seems pretty cheap to rent a car at the cruise terminal. I was thinking about driving an hour to Isle-sur-la-sorgue and the Gordes. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sparkytravelingheart Posted January 17, 2017 #2 Share Posted January 17, 2017 It is pretty easy. Helps to know some French. We rented a car at airport about 6 years ago and drove around Provence for 3 days, returning it to a location in Marseille and taking taxi to cruise ship - we were told not to hang out in Marseille. It would be good to read up on French signs too. I reserved an automatic, and double checked to be sure as I guess sometimes font honor that, and also get GPS in English - we never could figure out how to get ours into English. So last time we rented (in Alsace) we has rental staff set it up in English, it sure helped! Our biggest problem was in Avignon, old section, lots of no parking or limited parking signs we didn't understand...and be careful of very narrow streets, ha ha. But it is mostly pretty easy and fun. Bon voyage! Sent from my iPad using Forums Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
#eurovirgin Posted January 17, 2017 Author #3 Share Posted January 17, 2017 and also get GPS in English - we never could figure out how to get ours into English. Sent from my iPad using Forums Planning on using our Iphones for GPS- hope that will be sufficient Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sparkytravelingheart Posted January 17, 2017 #4 Share Posted January 17, 2017 Then make sure you have major a data plan - I think GPS uses data, but a techno type can tell you for sure, or your provider Sent from my iPad using Forums Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LondonTowner Posted January 17, 2017 #5 Share Posted January 17, 2017 We have stayed in Provence on a land holiday and it is lovely. If you are there on a Sunday, then there is a very good market in Isle de la Sorgue. I would try to visit Les Baux as well, a lovely hilltop village. It is very easy driving in France once you are away from large towns. I found the avenues of plane trees particularly attractive. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare mskaufman Posted January 17, 2017 #6 Share Posted January 17, 2017 Last year we had a driver/guide who took us to Avignon, St. Remy, Les Baux and Arles. He knew where he was going and we did not have to worry about where to park. In Lex Baux he dropped us off and picked us up at a designated time. We could not have covered this much ground on our own. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
#eurovirgin Posted January 17, 2017 Author #7 Share Posted January 17, 2017 Last year we had a driver/guide who took us to Avignon, St. Remy, Les Baux and Arles. He knew where he was going and we did not have to worry about where to park. In Lex Baux he dropped us off and picked us up at a designated time. We could not have covered this much ground on our own. Where did you find this tour? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare mskaufman Posted January 18, 2017 #8 Share Posted January 18, 2017 Where did you find this tour? We used Provence Day Tours. There are other operators doing similar tours. There was a list of tours and we selected one. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
computerworks Posted January 18, 2017 #9 Share Posted January 18, 2017 Planning on using our Iphones for GPS- hope that will be sufficient Have a good long talk with your iPhone carrier before you do this... ...fully understand the rates and the MB limits on your plan. Here's a tip... get the GPS from the car rental place... :cool: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Hlitner Posted January 18, 2017 #10 Share Posted January 18, 2017 As we have said, in other posts, driving in Provence is pretty routine once you get out of Marseille. Regarding GPS, if you have T-Mobile it is not an issue since nearly all T-Mobile allow you world wide data usage at no additional charge. We have our own European GPS (a Garmin Nuvi) but have stopped dragging it to Europe since we changed over to T-Mobile. One caution about European rental cars is that many are stick (manual) shift. If you cannot drive a stick make sure to reserve far in advance and specify you must have an automatic. Keep in mind that automatics can cost significantly more then a small car with manual. In Marseille, there are no rental car agencies located at the cruise ship port. One generally needs to take a taxi (or shuttle bus) into town to get to various agencies...many of which have locations near the train station. Hank Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
#eurovirgin Posted January 20, 2017 Author #11 Share Posted January 20, 2017 Ok, sounds like GPS from the car rental is the way to go! And we can drive stick shift, so we're good. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Morgans Posted January 20, 2017 #12 Share Posted January 20, 2017 Be aware that Marseille can be problematic re volume of traffic. It is noted for traffic jams so allow lots of time for return if you'll be coming back in the rush hour. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
#eurovirgin Posted January 20, 2017 Author #13 Share Posted January 20, 2017 Be aware that Marseille can be problematic re volume of traffic. It is noted for traffic jams so allow lots of time for return if you'll be coming back in the rush hour. Good advice! I wonder how to predict how much extra time we'll need? It will be a Sunday, so hopefully lighter traffic...? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LondonTowner Posted January 20, 2017 #14 Share Posted January 20, 2017 As shops, commercial centres and offices are closed in France on a Sunday there will be less traffic. I would probably aim to get back to ship at least an hour before departure, but add an hour as buffer time. Remember you will also have to return the car. I always carry the daily news letter all ships produce. In that you will have the telephone number and contact details of the local agent. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sloane ranger Posted January 28, 2017 #15 Share Posted January 28, 2017 I did it the easy way and hired a guide who drove me there, showed me the market and other points of interest Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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