Looking for Lovely French town or village to stay for 4-5 nights to be base for nearby points of interest, ie, hiking, enjoying local food and wine and vistas.
Thank you.

"Quaint", IMO, includes not-too-many tourists. We like Goult in the Luberon, and Bedoin farther north.

See attached

Stu Dudley

What kind of accommodations are you expecting? Because the big problem with "quaint" places, by my terms, is that they are very small with little development or tourism industry. So there may be very limited hotel choices, mainly. A lot of people may stay in inns or mas or even private vacation rentals but more out in the country or surroundings, not actually in the village.

So that's why I wondered. I would probably call Goult quaint as there isn't much there, so it really depends what you want. I know I've seen posts on travel forums by people who claim they want quaint but want some hotel/inn right in town so they don't need to drive, and they want lots of gourmet restaurants, cafes, pubs, wine bars, and shopping. That doesn't compute for me, as quaint places don't have those.

I have stayed in Roussillon and liked it because it had a bit to do/restaurants, and you might call it quaint, I suppose. It has a few hotels, I stayed in a real basic one which most people wouldn't want. It is a fairly central location for touring/activities.

For example, here is a maison d'hotes in the Goult postal area, but it's really in-between Goult and Lacoste. But it's an option if you are ok with being out in the country
Le Mas Caché-Maison d'hôtes en Provence dans le parc naturel du Luberon

Here's another one that is just outside Goult but not far at all, that seems a very convenient location for touring to me as it isn't far from D900.
https://www.lacanove-luberon.com/chambres-suites

I could be wrong, but I don't think there are any hotels in Goult.

I like staying near Pernes-les-Fontaines,I guess it's quaint enough, not sure. But it only has one modest hotel right IN the village itself (could be fine, I stay out in the country in a nice inn), and because this is a small place, there really aren't tons of nice dining options right in the village. There is one restaurant I really like, but that's about it. I may eat/drive to other places for dinner.

Pernes has a population of about 10K but still is not some dining mecca at all. Goult only about 1K, Roussillon a bit more. Bedoin about 3K, I don't know if it has a hotel. Roussillon has a couple I think because it is known for tourist visits due to the attractions in the area. It's still nothing like Gordes.

I also like Pernes les Fontaines, having stayed (and eaten divinely) at Auberge La Camarette and Maison du Vin, which is halfway between Mazan and Carpentras. Add in those towns and you’re really a spoiled for choice in fine dining. The area is convenient to wine country, offering not quite as spectacular views as the Luberon proper or, indeed, Bedoin.

Ill review all your recommendations. Thank you.

Quaint: Charming Village or Farm - quintessential of its region, serene. Nearby sublime vistas!

Will you be using a car? That makes a huge difference.

I suggest you Google "provence luberon B&B", and select a town, then a B&B or hotel, from the offerings.

Or a gite. We've rented 6 different gites in Provence. Two more are reserved for June 2023.

Stu Dudley

Please expand:
Wine: white or red?
Vistas: seaside, mountains, rolling hills, or forested?
Points of interest: what lights your candle: art? caves? shopping? cheese? history? college towns? bucolic villages? museums?

Welcome, BAH. Google Lourmarin... please report back!

Thoughtful questions.
Wine: White for me, Red Hubby
Vistas: Roling hills for me, Mountains for Hubby, albeit, will be coming from Switzerland so that should suffice.
Points of Interest: Yes to art ,shopping(a little), history, ,bucolic villages, hiking, seaside(but not big and busy)

Agreed, we love the countryside so will consider both recommendations especially one with the pool for summer travel.
Definitely interested in LaFerme la Huppe..
I made note of restaurants as well.
I appreciate your time.

We will have a car.

Astonishing Lourmarin is a definite must see- Sublime French Village!
You were the first to make mention.
Looks lovely to stay at if we dont choose the countryside.
Many Thanks.

FWIW, I recommend you Google the Luberon
I'm unsure, but I think the Dentelles are considered pre-Alps.
To this midwesterner, they are not mountains; more like pointy hills. But interesting, in that my mind can picture my younger self climbing them without undue exertion. And they have vegetation, whereas St Moritz and the like is similar to driving in a gravel pit....no vegetation.
Then there's Mont Ventoux...
The Luberon has interesting towns: Bedoin, Malaucen, Vaison la Romaine, Seguret,Gigondas, etc.
Lots of wine in the area. Vaison has Roman ruins.almost every village has a weekly market; Vaison the best/biggest

I did, so many to incredible selections.

Making notes on all this thoughtful info.
Its overwhelming, not sure if I need a travel agent.
Too, Coming form Switzerland. Could look at trains or drive to Annecy for a 1-2 nights.
Will have a car in Provence.

""The Luberon has interesting towns: Bedoin, Malaucen, Vaison la Romaine, Seguret,Gigondas, etc.
Lots of wine in the area. Vaison has Roman ruins.almost every village has a weekly market; Vaison the best/biggest""

I think you are getting your regions in the Department of the Vaucluse mixed up. None of the above villages are in the Luberon (Gordes, Menerbes, Roussillon, Bonnieux, etc. are in the Luberon). The ones you mention are in the Dentelles/Cote du Rhone region.

IMO, both nearby Carpentras and Bedoin have a bigger & better farmer's market than Vaison.

Stu Dudley

Thank you, Stu, you're right, I confuse them.

The nice thing about Provence is, wherever you stay, you can't go wrong.

I don't recommend a travel agent, not with the plethora of information available on the internet.

With what you say about your tastes, BAHItaly, I agree with looking to the Luberon (Gordes, Lourmarin, Roussillon) rather than the Dentelles. Make a dash to Baux de Provence or Aix or Arles for your extra dose of history, or to the Côte Bleue if you absolutely must have seaside (but I’d pick a lodging with a pool instead).