JES28

Planning a trip in August time frame, where is the most quintessential "Provence" and prettiest area to stay? We will have a car and can drive from town to town. Would love to know some favorite spots.
Thanks in advance!

uktravelover

For me Avignon and Orange, but Aix en Provence and Arles are definitely worth a visit.

maitaitom

We loved the Luberon village of Bonnieux. Charming town, great restaurants and easy drives to a number of places. We visited Roussillon (don't wear white when you hike hike the Sentier des Ocres, Ansouis, Lourmarin, Le Pont Julien, Avignon, Gordes, Abbaye Notre-Dame de Sénanque and Isle-sur-la-Sorgue on the way to Uzès. Our lodging was Les Terrasses du Luberon. It was in 2016, but it still gets great reviews. Chapter Five - Seven tell about our time there (with photos)We were only there for three nights, but we really loved the town (and the food). The views on the way to dinner weren't too shabby either.

https://travelswithmaitaitom.com/france-2016/

kerouac

I hope you know that if you stay in the prettiest place, all the rest of France will be a constant disappointment.

starrs

It's hard to go wrong no matter where you choose. I've stayed in Avignon, Roussillon, Arles and Grasse (so far). My favorite from my last trip was this option just outside of Eygalieres.
Mas Notre Dame
Luxury B&B in Provence - Bed and Breakfast - Houses rentals
If you are driving a lot, consider parking and being in the middle of town vs on the outskirts. Also consider how curvy the roads are - and if that's a positive or negative for you. Years ago I considered using Eygalieres as a base, and that was just a random choice. Now, after staying there, it is a great match for me. Close enough to visit other villages on their market days, etc. but a true haven to return to. I would not say it's the "best" or the "prettiest" but for me it was a great combination of size, location and surrounding roads. Easy parking matters a lot to me. I'm not a fan of parking in a "nearby" garage and walking with luggage to the hotel/ inn. Both Avignon and Arles required me to do so.

JES28

Thank you for the great recommendations!
Curvy streets aren't an issue for us...it does take longer to get back and forth but fun to drive on!
Kerouac - ha!

gooster

The Luberon is classic Provencal experience -- the valley/geography and the closeness of the different villages makes it a compact way to get that experience.. We've stayed in St Remy, Avignon, Orange, Aix, Nimes and in the Var (Hyeres, St. Tropez - still technically Provence and very beautiful but not the classic inland experience you may be thinking of). And have been in all the prior mentioned above.

ILUVPARIS

For me, hands down one of the most beautiful places I've ever stayed is Crillon Le Brave. Hôtel Crillon Le Brave | Provence | Official Site
It's magical. Full disclosure, it's a bit of a drive to the Luberon but well worth it. Beautiful villages nearby are Vaison la Romaine, Seguret, Pernes la Fontaine and the market in Bedoin on Mondays is quite nice. There's lots to do in this area if you can ever drag yourself away from the hotel.

shelemm

Roussillon. The advantage of staying there is that you can be there very early or late before other tourists start flocking there.

Underhill

For August, a VERY busy season in Provence, you'd best pick a place ASAP.

TravelerKaren

We loved Roussillon and Lourmarin. I don't think you can go wrong with any of the Luberon villages.

JES28

Iluvparis, Crillon Le Brave looks AMAZING. I wish it were in our budget! For the bucket list..