Best town in Provence area for base while exploring area?

I lived in Avignon several years ago, and it was great. I think it would make a fine base to explore Provence, and it has plenty of hotels, great restaurants, and things to do. And you have the availability of trains running to Arles, Nimes, etc. for trips to bigger towns/cities.

Are you using trains and buses, or will you have a car? It would make a difference.

I rented a house through gites-de-france.com. We stayed in L'Isle-sur-la-Sorgue and loved it. But you would need to have a car.

We used L'Isle sur le Sorgue as a home base for Provence also.We did have a car. We loved the Sunday market which has many antiques....but the town itself is so very interesting.Antique dealers from all over France have spaces tucked away in different areas of town and are usually there from Friday thru Sunday when there is a large market. Lots of nice restaurants at all price points...we stayed at the Hotel Nevons which is clean and modern but has its own gated parking....great for walking to the market and leaving the car.

As others have said, it depends on whether you have a car. A car is worth it in Provence, for greater flexibility in exploring the Provence countryside.
If you have a car, you have a variety of choices, almost anywhere that is central to what you want to see.
Try to avoid driving into the center of cities.
One strategy is to use the car for the country locations and use the train to get to the center of major cities/town that are on the train routes.

What part of Provence? The Cote d'Azur is part of Provence and where you would base yourself to explore that area would be totally different than where you would base yourself to explore, by way of example, the Luberon.

Thank you for all the great suggestions! We will be renting a car and have noticed that many favorite spots (L'Isle-sur-la-Sorque) are not too far from Avignon.
How about suggestions for a car rental? Can I rent a car at the train station in Avignon.

Yes, you can rent a car at the train station in Avignon--but note that it depends on which of the 2 train stations in Avignon you are arriving at.
And see the questions in the above 2 posts: are you going to be in Provence or farther east in the Riviera?

I think we will save the Côte d'Azur for our next trip, but it is tempting.

Save the Riviera for the next trip. In this case, seeing less is more.

Carefully note that Avignon has 2 train stations: TGV (linked to downtown by frequent TER local trains) and Centre-Ville. While TGV trains serve only the TGV stations, some also stop at Centre-Ville--verify your train station in advance.

Rick's France guidebook has detailed instructions on this.

There are several rental agencies at the TGV station in Avignon. I would just go with whichever one gives you the best rate.

We rented a car through AutoEurope at Europcar at the Avignon TGV station, and I have to say that the staff and service were excellent there.

Hi suzanny14

I suggest you look at Avignon as a base for visiting western Provence and the Camargue. Then Aix en Provence (for my money one of the best cities in France) as a base for the main inland areas of the Luberon, the lavender fields and the calanques (on the coast).

I see Isle sur sorge being suggested a great deal on forums but personally I don't get it, unless you are keen on French antiques, which is OK for a day.

The real gem to visit near Avignon is the Fontaine de Vaucluse.

Best

Peter

Rick's France guidebook has detailed info on how, where, what, etc.

With a car, a small town in the Rhone Valley. St. Remy is justly popular here, but there are other good choices too.

We stayed in St Cannat. We rented a beautiful home here. We spoked out in a different direction each day...to St Tropez, Aix, Avignon, Arles, Nimes, the Pont du Gard. Here is the home.

http://www.vrbo.com/1138

We went to Lyon on train from Paris and rented a car there. We stayed in Arles and loved it! We did have a car and driving is easy and safe. Arles is small and walkable...you leave car in garage on outside ring (get pass from hotel...we stayed at Ampitheatre Hotel..) and walk a few blocks to hotel. Then we spent one night in Il Sur Le Soque for the market, then to Antibes for 3 nights. Took day trips out from each city. Flew home from Nice. Do get a Michelin map of the area before you leave home...you need it for the small roads to the small towns.

We went to Lyon on train from Paris and rented a car there. We stayed in Arles and loved it! We did have a car and driving is easy and safe. Arles is small and walkable...you leave car in garage on outside ring (get pass from hotel...we stayed at Ampitheatre Hotel..) and walk a few blocks to hotel. Then we spent one night in Il Sur Le Soque for the market, then to Antibes for 3 nights. Took day trips out from each city. Flew home from Nice. Do get a Michelin map of the area before you leave home...you need it for the small roads to the small towns.