Suggestions for best route to drive from Avignon to Cassis

We have a hire car to get us from Avignon to Cassis on Monday, 20 October (in case the day makes a difference to what we%26#39;re about to say) and are looking for suggestions on the most scenic route. Our problem lies in that most of the areas we have been tipped to visit (eg. Venasque to Gordes/Roussillon, Bedoin, Uzes) lie to the north of Avignon ie. in the opposite direction to our travels. In addition, we would like to make a stop at the Pont du Gard. We are not adverse to heading %26quot;in the wrong direction%26quot; for some of the drive (we realise we are in for a long day, but hey) however if we do, we want to make sure the villages/scenery are worth the diversion. To narrow it down, we%26#39;re not necessarily looking to stop at each place (naturally, we will for lunch)... we%26#39;re looking for mountains, quaint French villages and most importantly %26quot;ooh aah%26quot; vistas as we drive. Some of the other areas that have been suggested: L%26#39;Isle-sur-la-Sorgue, Saint Remy through to Les-Baux-de-Provence, Aix, Apt, Lacoste, Oppede, Bonnieux. Suggestions for where we should head via and estimated travel time would be gratefully received! (Oh, and we would like to arrive in Cassis in daylight.)

THANKS.

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Use www.viamichelin.com to plot routes and get estimated driving times and costs, including tolls. The drive times are a bit optimistic, so add a few minutes.

One itinerary: Avignon to Pont du Gard, then back through Avignon to go to the Luberon. PdG will take 2-3 hours RT depending on the time you spend there. Follow the signs to %26quot;rive gauche%26quot; when you get to Remoulins. You could go on to Uzes afterward, but that takes you further away from Avignon.

Then from Avignon, drive East to L%26#39;Isle and on to Gordes, about an hour%26#39;s drive. Rousillon, Bonnieux, Oppede-le-Vieux, Lacoste, etc. are nearby. Have a drive around, then head over the mountain to Lourmarin, Aix and down to Cassis. From Bonnieux to Cassis over that route is around 1.75 hours.

Sunset is around 6:30 that time of the year. If you get moving early you should be able to fit all that in. Cassis has a parking problem, even off-season. If your hotel doesn%26#39;t have parking, allow time to deal with that.

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Thanks Texhills.

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