Trip ideas · Luberon villages and the Camargue
Luberon villages and the Camargue: a One-Week Road Trip From Lyon
Best in April and May, also good in March and June
From Lyon and back: seven nights, 844 km, the longest day about 3 h 40 at the wheel. Driving costs €130–€200 + 2 tolls not priced.
Spring migration stopover in the Camargue: temporary marshes feed waders in spring; black-winged stilts and black kites are summer visitors (Parc naturel régional de Camargue birdwatching guide): spring (the Park gives seasons, not exact months). Watch for: Arles Feria de Pâques (Easter feria): about 200,000 visitors (2024 figure, per the city), so Arles is full and expensive; 2027 dates not published (Easter 2027 is 28 March).
Use this route in my plan Your checklist for France: vignettes, zones, kit and dates.
Day by day
Kilometres and hours are motorway estimates between the cities named, without stops or traffic. Where you sleep in a smaller place nearby, the real place and its distance are given.
Day 1
Lyon → Avignon 227 km · about 2 h 55 driving
Hill village of the Luberon; base for Roussillon, Bonnieux and the Sénanque abbey area. Source The place itself: Gordes (Luberon), about 30 km straight-line from avignon, approx.
Day 2
A day for Gordes (Luberon) No long drive
Day 3
Avignon → Marseille 107 km · about 1 h 35 driving, plus the way back from Gordes (Luberon)
Port city; gateway to the coast and Provence day trips. Source
Day 4
Marseille → Avignon 107 km · about 1 h 35 driving
Roman town at the head of the Camargue delta; base for the Regional Nature Park and Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer. Source The place itself: Arles, about 32 km straight-line from avignon, approx.
Photo: Rich Martello / Unsplash Day 5
A day for Arles No long drive
Day 6
Avignon → Montpellier 102 km · about 1 h 50 driving, plus the way back from Arles
Historic centre (the Écusson); day trip to walled Aigues-Mortes on the western Camargue. Source
Photo: JD Designs / Unsplash Day 7
A day out from Montpellier No long drive
Day 8
Montpellier → Lyon 301 km · about 3 h 40 driving
Why go in April and May
- Spring migration stopover in the Camargue: temporary marshes feed waders in spring; black-winged stilts and black kites are summer visitors (Parc naturel régional de Camargue birdwatching guide): spring (the Park gives seasons, not exact months). Source
- Gypsy pilgrimage at Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer (procession to the sea), held on fixed dates each May: 24–25 May 2026; 2027 dates not published yet. Source
What to watch for
- Arles Feria de Pâques (Easter feria): about 200,000 visitors (2024 figure, per the city), so Arles is full and expensive; 2027 dates not published (Easter 2027 is 28 March) (Easter weekend (2025 edition: 18–21 April 2025); 2027 dates not published yet). Source
- Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer during the pilgrimage: very crowded; book early or avoid if you do not want the event (24–25 May). Source
- Marseille ZFE-m in the city centre: permanent, all vehicles; Crit'Air sticker needed (banned classes not confirmed on the pages read) (24/7, year-round since 1 September 2022). Source
- Montpellier ZFE: Crit'Air sticker required; widened to all communes of the Métropole from 1 July 2026; older cars (pre-1997 petrol, pre-2006 diesel) banned (year-round; wider perimeter from 1 July 2026). Source
- Lyon ZFE (start and end of the loop): only Crit'Air 0, 1, 2 vehicles may drive and park; Crit'Air sticker required (from 1 January 2026, year-round). Source
What the week costs to drive
| Item | Cost | Worked out from |
|---|---|---|
| Fuel for 844 km | €93–€160 | Each country's average petrol and diesel price (week of 28 September 2026), 5 to 8 litres per 100 km. Fuel prices |
| Tolls | €38 | Marseille-Aix–Arles A7/A8/A54 (ASF), class 1 €5.20 Source; Montpellier–Lyon A9/A7 (ASF), class 1 €32.80 Source |
| Driving the week | €130–€200 + 2 tolls not priced | Rounded to €10 |
Not included: Lyon–Avignon A7 (ASF) (operator); Avignon–Marseille A7 (ASF) (operator); hotels, food and parking. For your own car and exact days, use the trip cost calculator.
The rules on this route
Use this route in my plan to get every vignette, zone, kit rule and deadline for these countries in one checklist, with dates. The speed limits and sign words pages can then show only these countries.
Next on the road
Sources
- Spring migration stopover in the Camargue: temporary marshes feed waders in spring; black-winged stilts and black kites are summer visitors (Parc naturel régional de Camargue birdwatching guide)
- Gypsy pilgrimage at Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer (procession to the sea), held on fixed dates each May
- Arles Feria de Pâques (Easter feria): about 200,000 visitors (2024 figure, per the city), so Arles is full and expensive; 2027 dates not published (Easter 2027 is 28 March)
- Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer during the pilgrimage: very crowded; book early or avoid if you do not want the event
- Marseille ZFE-m in the city centre: permanent, all vehicles; Crit'Air sticker needed (banned classes not confirmed on the pages read)
- Montpellier ZFE: Crit'Air sticker required; widened to all communes of the Métropole from 1 July 2026; older cars (pre-1997 petrol, pre-2006 diesel) banned
- Lyon ZFE (start and end of the loop): only Crit'Air 0, 1, 2 vehicles may drive and park; Crit'Air sticker required
- Lyon–Avignon A7 (ASF)
- Marseille-Aix–Arles A7/A8/A54 (ASF), class 1
- Hill village of the Luberon; base for Roussillon, Bonnieux and the Sénanque abbey area.
- Port city; gateway to the coast and Provence day trips.
- Roman town at the head of the Camargue delta; base for the Regional Nature Park and Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer.
- Historic centre (the Écusson); day trip to walled Aigues-Mortes on the western Camargue.
Dates and prices as published when checked. Events move: check the organiser's page before you book.