What town for base in Provence?
 

My husband and I have never been to Provence, and we're looking forward to going to celebrate my 75th birthday next year. Would prefer not to move around much from hotel to hotel. Trip will probably be around 8 nights. Wondering whether to base us in just one place for the whole period, or perhaps split the time between two.
Would be most appreciative of suggestions for both towns and hotels. Looking for accommodations as quiet and restful as possible. Hoping to spend not more than $300-400 per night.
Thanks very much!

Splitting your stay into two four night segments would be a good idea. One would be in the vicinity of St-Rémy and the other in one of the Luberon villages.

To best enjoy Provence, you should have a rental car.

We've had some 'quiet and restful' stays for less than €100/night.

We only have 4 nights, so which area would you choose - Luberon or St. Remy? What day trips are possible from each?

I would choose 4 nights in the St-Rémy area (which is close to quite a few major sights, including the Pont du Gard) and 4 nights over in the Côte d'Azur region (Nice et al.). You would get a nice feel for the Mediterranean part of Provence as well as the more inland.

For St-Rémy, you might like the Domaine de Valmouriane, a bit outside the town in its own acreage. It's very quiet and comfortable.

For the Côte d'Azur, I'd strongly recommend the charming (and quiet) Le Hameau, a small collection of buildings done in true Provençal style set in a citrus grove. The hotel is just down the hill from the perched village of St-Paul-de-Vence and makes a good base for the surrounding area.

I always recommend the area around St. Remy. Easy access to the Luberon, Pont du Gard, Orange and even the Med. We love a B&B near Maussane called Mas des Fountaines (no longer has a website but run by Dominique and Etienne Hardy).

I spent six days in St. Remy at the Mas de Carassin an easy walk into town. It was a lovely place quite relaxing by the pool after your day of touring.

We had no trouble visiting all the sights of the Luberon, the Pont du Gard and Uzes and Avignon.

Arles is just nearby and of course the lovely Les Baux which was really a favorite of our group.

If I had 8 days I would split them between Gordes and St. Remy just so you didn't have to drive to the Luberon, but could wake up and see the morning sun on the hills.