Thank you all for everything. It is such a blessing to have a source like Fodor's and all of the great people who share their experience and knowledge with folks like me who love to travel but don't have the ability to as often! Thank you all.

Travel is too expensive to make a lot of mistakes or learn the "hard way". I appreciate your help!!

Any more tips or advice, I'm listening!!

Gina

I agree with the Provence/Paris split. I would base in St Remy while in Provence - easy to get to Avignon, Uzes/Pond du Gard, and the Luberon hilltowns (Gordes, Bonnieux, Roussillon, Menerbes). Plus St Remy itself is wonderful. Easy to drive in and out of, less than an hour to all the places mentioned. Late June early July if you want to see the lavender.

Then TGV to Paris. Stay in a centrally located hotel (apt too much trouble for that short time). I like the Hotel Marignan right down the street from the Cluny (and near Notre Dame and Place St Michele).

If there is any possible way to squeeze out another day or two you will not regret it. Because four full days in each location is really the minimum, but if you can only do 7 then I'd give to four to Provence given what you state as your preferences.

Here's my trip report from last summer - scroll down to get to the Provence part.
http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...swiss-alps.cfm