Car and Van Hire in Avignon

If you're visiting Avignon in summer, there's no better way to enjoy the climate than in an exotic vehicle. If your budget is tight, choose fuel-efficient cars. Enterprise Rent-A-Car's people carriers will provide enough spaciousness for families of over five. If you prefer natural scenery to architecture, an SUV will take you off-road with ease. Business travellers and those moving to the area permanently are catered for through a fleet of vans.

Enterprise's award-winning service offerings come packaged in a range of special offers. Book online, and your price will drop. Choose a prepaid service to cut your expenses down further, then finish your economising by choosing a fuel-efficient vehicle. Enterprise runs promotions throughout the year, so sign up for their emails to keep in touch. Loyalty points are also offered in some locations. Reward tiers begin at five rentals, with each level offering bonus points and upgrades. Avignon's custom business programme personalises rentals for each client, whether you need transport for staff, pools or seasonal use.

If you're flying, you can begin your Avignon car hire at Avignon Airport, which is situated at the edge of the river Rhone. It has easy access to the N7. Taxi prices are exorbitant from the airport, so your pocket will thank you for choosing a rental instead. Many of the buses require 48 hours of pre-planning and bookings. There are two restaurants and a three-star hotel near the terminal if you need to rest before heading out. Outbound flights go to London, Birmingham and Southampton.

The bridge that crosses the Rhone was finished in 1185, making it an important part of architectural history, but you'll love it more for its beauty. Visits require payment, but you can view it free of charge from Rocher des Doms park. Art buffs will enjoy the Musee du Petit Palais, which houses collections by artists from the 13th to 16th centuries, including Botticelli and Carpaccio. If Impressionism is closer to your heart, the Musee Angalon boasts paintings by Manet, Van Gogh and Cezanne. The Romanesque Place du Palais will take you back to the 17th century. No visit to Avignon is complete without a salute to its lavender fields, so don't miss the Lavender Museum and the village of Sault.

If you're using car rental in Avignon, you have the freedom to travel beyond the city walls to explore Provence in grand style. The exquisite vineyards of Chateauneuf-du-Pape create the perfect backdrop for photo opportunities. If you enjoy Roman history, Orange and its amphitheatre will capture your imagination. The Triumphal Arch is perhaps the most beautiful piece of architecture you'll see in Europe, and it takes you near to the medieval village of Les Baux de Provence. Marseille is a sterling example of rural France, with its fishmongers, ports and Romanesque church. Provence is also populated with a huge number of world-class restaurants, so consult the Michelin guide to arrange a gastronomic tour.

Avignon is one of Provence's most popular destinations, so if you're going in season, arrange indoor parking for overnight stays. There is plenty of free parking throughout the area, the most popular of which is the central lot at Palais de Pape. The area is somewhat sleepier than Paris, so take your time on the roads. Ask Enterprise to arrange the necessary paperwork, including insurance. A map is one tool you should never visit Avignon without, because it can be somewhat challenging to navigate due to its winding roads and tolled motorways. GPS is an even more welcome solution.