After numerous driving trips to European cities my husband and I are willing to see less each day but rather inhale the culture of the places we see. For our 12 day visit to south east France I have made reservations in Nice, St. Remy, and St. Paul du Vence. Some of your recommendations led me to these stops. We have 4 more days to explore and also to relax.
For months I have been reading that other fellow's guide (RS) and Stu Dudley's itinerary as well as Fodor's but can't decide where to stay and explore for those few days. I was thinking the Luberon would be different than the other places but am open to other ideas. I'm hoping some of you will share your favorites.
We are interested in Roman history, like visiting small villages and big cities, and tooling around in the car. We have been known to take naps! So any suggestions would be much appreciated.

Gordes is a famous Luberon old town - just did a day trip there and would be too touristy for some but it seemed great to me:

https://www.google.com/search?q=gord...=1600&bih=1075

I'm not clear on what you are doing when in St Remy, I presumed see the Luberon, for one thing, it's not very far, less than an hour's drive (to Gordes, for example).

Otherwise, I'd suggest you move north and see Vaison-la-Romaine for sure given your interests, lots to see in the Vaucluse and Drome departments. YOu have Vaison, the Gigondas area, the Dentelles, Grignan and Nyons for starters, Carpentras as a bigger city.

Or you could move to the Luberon as it is basically kind of east of there (Gordes, Apt, Cabvaillon, Bonnieux, Lourmarin etc.) while Drome is more north.

I presume you are at least seeing Avignon whenin St Remy, if not, definitely see that. Aix is lovely, also.

We, as you, like to "inhale the culture of the places we see."

I'd suggest savoring in the smaller towns on their market day. Towns such as Bedouin; Eygalieres; Eyguieres.
Vaison is a must, IMO.

We have stayed in St. Saturnin les Apts several times and love it more each time. It is within reasonable driving distance for so many wonderful villages and even Avignon, Marseiile, Aix etc.

Personally I would never stay in Gordes and I think St. re my would be too big for my taste, but we each have our own likes.

Christina: we will visit Avignon, Arles,Pont du Gard, Les Baux from St. Remy for 3 days. But then wanted to stay in one other area for a few more days. Gordes looks amazing!
As I look at towns I wonder if Vaison la Romaine would be a good place to base next. How far is Aix from there? Maybe stop on way to St. Paul du Vence???
Will we find 3 star hotels in Viason?

I've stayed several times in St Paul de Vence at the
Colombre D' Or. I love this place. While there be sure to Visit the Maeght Foundation, Art works in a wonderful setting. In The Luberon, I like Lourmarin and Bonnieux..
In St Remy, I stayed at L'Hotel Les Ateliers de L' Image.

Aix isn't really that convenient for the Luberon or the area N or NW of the Luberon. It's too far away and you have to cross a river and a mountain to get there. Aix is about 80 km from Gordes and 125 km from Vaison-la-Romaine. Gordes is about 50 km from Vaison-la-Romaine. It wouldn't make sense to visit Aix from Vaison-la-Romaine as a day trip if you are then driving to St Paul. If you stay there or more around the Luberon, you would go through Aix on the way to St Paul de Vence (if you take the A7).

"inhale the culture of the places we see."

"Will we find 3 star hotels in Viason?"

Aren't these two statements contradictory, almost oxymoronic?
I find 3* hotels comfortable, but culturally sterile.
We much prefer "upscale" chambres d'hotes.

Stay in Goult, less frenetic than some of the other Lubéron villages.