Driving from Côte d’Azur to Provence the scenic route

I wouldn't be too concerned about the driving. The French use road signs. Roundabouts are easy, as long as you familiarize yourself with the rules in advance. And the exits are signposted. If you aren't sure which exit to take, just go around again. Our cars have had a GPS, but we also use Google maps to review in advance, and have even printed them out on occasion. Or you could just go old school and buy a paper map.

I'd prefer a GPS in the car as referring to a phone can get very distracting, especially on this route. The only occasionally issue is that either app may miss a country road or two. It is imperative though to understand the major differences between laws, especially yielding to cars entering from the right on these country lanes. But with the maps and signage you should be able to make your way to the Gorge du Verdon. Note some of these roads (once you are off the autoroute and working your way up to the foothills) can be very windy and twisty, and can have some sharp falloffs on the ridge road, so take your time.

Directional signage in France is excellent: if you know which towns and villages you go through, you can rely on it. Unlike in the US, road numbers are largely irrelevant. A GPS is still very nice to have, of course, and many rental cars Compact size and above have one by default, in my recent experience.

Specifically, in your case, I would overnight in Moustiers-Saintes-Marie, a lovely village close to the Gorges du Verdon. The "best" way to get there, in my opinion, would be to drive from Nice to Grasse on the highway and expressway through Mougins, then up the Pas de La Faye, left towards Comps-sur-Artuby with a stop at Bargeme (beautiful hilltop village), and on towards the Corniche Sublime south rim road of the Verdon Gorge. You then descend towards the lake, and cross a bridge before the final stretch to Moustiers.

Moustiers can be expensive to stay in: if you feel it is out of your budget, Les Salles sur Verdon is no beauty but is pleasantly located right on the Sainte Croix lakeshore. Aups, a larger market town a little bit south, is also a good base. I've stayed in a pleasant room there at the Auberge de la Tour for a mere 60 euros 5 years ago.

Thanks for the feedback. I feel much more confident now about the drive. I booked a place just outside Moustiers SM. Hotel Le Colombier, and another one on the direct route further south just in case the weather is bad or something. Alway have a plan B!

Directional signage in France is excellent: if you know which towns and villages you go through,

Please pay attention especially to the second part of Balso's good information: if you know which towns and villages you go through- I would add , and also *If you know the bigger towns and cities that are further along on your same trajectory. *

The reason for the above comment is because, with the exception of périphériques (beltways around larger cities) which often are denoted nord (north) or sud (south), directional signs in France generally don't mention cardinal directions. In other words, you may see a sign that points the way to Sisteron and Gap, but unless you knew where those places were located relative to your current position, you wouldn't know that was the road leading north.

As with so many things in France, you're just supposed to know.