A vibration drive device comprising: a vibration actuator including: a vibration element including an electromechanical energy conversion element and an elastic body joined to said electromechanical energy conversion element, and a driven element being in contact with said elastic body; a position detection unit configured to detect a relative position between said vibration element and said driven element; and a controller configured to apply a drive signal, for exciting a first vibration in a direction perpendicular to a contact surface between said elastic body and said driven element and/or a second vibration in a direction parallel to the contact surface in said elastic body, to said electromechanical energy conversion element to control driving of said elastic body of said vibration actuator, wherein, said controller is configured to perform control, in a case where the relative position is within a first section_ , to excite the first vibration and the second vibration in_said elastic body so as to make the relative position closer to a target position set within the first section, whereas said controller is configured to perform control, in a case where the relative position is outside the first section, to excite the first vibration in said elastic body, characterised by the first section includes a second section including the target position , and wherein said controller is configured to stop applying the drive signal to said electromechanical energy conversion element, when the relative position is within the second section for a predetermined time period including zero time period such that a frictional holding force between the elastic body and the driven element is increased compared to a state where the drive signal is applied. a vibration actuator including: a vibration element including an electromechanical energy conversion element and an elastic body joined to said electromechanical energy conversion element, and a driven element being in contact with said elastic body; a vibration element including an electromechanical energy conversion element and an elastic body joined to said electromechanical energy conversion element, and a driven element being in contact with said elastic body; a position detection unit configured to detect a relative position between said vibration element and said driven element; and a controller configured to apply a drive signal, for exciting a first vibration in a direction perpendicular to a contact surface between said elastic body and said driven element and/or a second vibration in a direction parallel to the contact surface in said elastic body, to said electromechanical energy conversion element to control driving of said elastic body of said vibration actuator, wherein, said controller is configured to perform control, in a case where the relative position is within a first section_ , to excite the first vibration and the second vibration in_said elastic body so as to make the relative position closer to a target position set within the first section, whereas said controller is configured to perform control, in a case where the relative position is outside the first section, to excite the first vibration in said elastic body, characterised by the first section includes a second section including the target position , and wherein said controller is configured to stop applying the drive signal to said electromechanical energy conversion element, when the relative position is within the second section for a predetermined time period including zero time period such that a frictional holding force between the elastic body and the driven element is increased compared to a state where the drive signal is applied. <EOS>