Provence in month of May -- should I base in Avignon or Aix en Provence?

I'm planning a trip to Provence in May. I thought I'd base myself for a few days in one Provence town and from there do day trips around the area (I won't have a car, I plan to take tours). Does anyone have an opinion if I should base myself in Avignon or Aix maybe? Is one town more accessible than the other? or will one town have more day trip tour options than the other? Thanks.

I don't know Aix, however we had four nights in Avignon (arriving by train) and we loved it, with some good day-trip options available. And the Palais des Papes in town is superb. We also took local buses (not a tour) to Les Baux and Arles and back ... great day.

Both are easily accessible by train.
We have always been there with our own car but what do you mean by 'tours'? Is that organised tours or visiting places on your own with public transportation?
Avignon is fine but as a place to stay i like Aix more as the quintessential Provençal town. Conveniency for day trips will also depend on where you'd like going. There certainly are possibilities out of Aix.
http://travel.aixenprovencetourism.com/en/itineraries-and-packages/suggested-itineraries/discovery-tour/
http://www.aixenprovencetourism.com/en/go/getting-around/public-transport-networks/
I am aware that Avignon might offer more connections since it is bigger, but then again it depends on the time you have and what/how much you can do with it.

I regret not including Aix, notwithstanding how much we enjoyed Avignon ... can you split your time between them OP? There were tours available ex Avignon - dozens in fact - but I would always check that a public bus can't get you there.

The trains between both places run more frequently compared to the bus.
Rsmokester, how many days are a few days, and how many days would you have for day trips?

I wasn't referring to travel between the two - I'm talking about local buses to nearby attractions - small villages that are too cute, wineries, Roman ruins, lavender farms ... that sort of thing.

A few years ago I used Aix-en-Provence as a base and made day trips to nearby towns and villages, using regional busses, €1 a ride. The area is associated with Cezanne and Picasso.

Well, both Avignone and Aix are very beautiful. They are very different from one another, but they are both worth a visit. If you are going to visit Luberon, Fontaine de Vaulcuse, Arles, Orange, Nimes - Avignone is more confortable. From Aix en Provence is easier to reach & visit Marsiglia or Calanques.

If you have a look into Google for "tour operators Avignon", or Aix, you will find a big choice. And in both towns the tourism offices people are kind and very helpful too.

Thanks for the mentioning the Pope's Palace. That's a good thing to keep in mind for Avignon. Hadn't thought of taking local buses around Provence. That's a good idea fro a more DIY approach.

Hi Artemis2. I like your mention that Aix has a more Provencal flavor than Avignon. Good point. I had been thinking of taking guided day trips that I saw on offer from tourist agency websites, but public transportation sounds like a good option for a cheaper and more flexible way to visit surrounding towns. Thanks again.

Thanks Thatsliguria for differentiating Avignon from Aix in terms of what are the nearby places to visit. I'm making a list.

Good to know about the buses, fieldgate. In Aix did you stay in a full on hotel, or more of a auberge type of accommodation?

Repeating my post from a few months ago ... hope this helps

I spent a week in Avignon last June and took day trips all around , using public transport . This was my tour plan . You may need to vary the days to suit the market dates . Hope it helps
Day 1 : Visit the Papal Palace ; inside is mainly bare. Visit the little museum next to it. Take a walk upto the park / square above the palace for the view over the river. Rocher de Doms. See if you can include Villenuve Avignon
Day 2 Under Ibis hotel, near the train station Take bus A 15 at 8.45 to Pont Du Gard . Then @ 12.15 take the same bus to Uzes Retuen 18.30 to reach Avignon at 19.35.

Day 3 . Isle Sur La Sorge Market Bus line 6 @ 9 am ( or 8.00) Return after lunch @ 13.30 or 16.30
Day 4 Nimes Bus E-51 @ 9.20 > Nimes10.45 Return @ 16.10 or LAST bus @ 17.10 . See Maison Carre / Le Arenas / Carre d Art , modern art museum opposite Le Arenas . / Notre Dame And St Castor church. ( best Roman sculpture).
Day 5 ARLES Bus A 10 (?) @ 9.30 >10.22 . Return 17. 42 > 18 2.5 OR 18.34 >19.25. Direct Train from Arles >Avignon Center19.55> 20.15 OR 21.40>21.58

Day 5 St Remy & Les Baux Bus # 57 @10.10 > St Remy 10.56 . Connect to #59 @11.15> Les Baux 11.30. Return Les Baux 14.45 > St Remy 15.00 . Then # 57 from St Remy 18.45 > Avignon 19.32
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I was together with my partner and we rented a studio apartment for a week, as we often do on that kind of trips.

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