Guidance for Provence or French Basque hub

First of all, let me say that doing base hubs like this is a great way to travel!

What are your other two hubs? That might help us help you decide which to choose.

Thanks for the quick reply. My other two bases are Paris and Annecy, with my current plan being Paris then Annecy then ?? and back to Paris the day before I fly out. Obviously, the Provence area is also much easier to get to from Annecy as well. I like the idea of the Basque area, but it's logistically more challenging than Provence. I would like to have the option to rent a bike and ride a day or two, so that is a consideration for this hub as well.

I'm open to any suggestions for either region - I'm floundering a bit here.

Pau would work for the Basque area.

Nimes (ten miles out of bounds) could be a better transportation hub for Provence, depending on where your interests are.

Saint-Jean Pied du Port would also be a good hub for the Basque area, but that's a long way from Annecy. I also don't think it's as convenient to get back to Paris from there.

As much as I love the Basque region, I think Provence, which I also love, fits better in your big picture. It's very beautiful, is loaded with wonderful sights, and has great food, so no reason to consider it second-best. The easier access back to Paris tips the scale, imo. I like Avignon better than Aix.

If you stay in Provence, you can get an extra day by taking the early morning direct TGV to Charles deGaulle airport. It will get you there by 10:30 AM, no transfers.

Those things are fast!

My preference for a hub there would be (in this order) Arles, Nimes, Avignon. Maybe a smaller town if I had a car. But not Aix, it's too far from stuff.

If you are flexible about accommodations, you can certainly travel without reservations that time of year if you like.

Thanks so much for all your replies. I think I will go with Avignon - I may book only a couple nights in advance in Avignon to leave nights open to stay in other towns in the region.

Adam - If I have a 1:20 p.m. flight, would you see any issue with taking that TGV Avignon-Paris CDG train day of? Is arriving ~3 hours early enough time at CDG? My other option is to arrive the day before and perhaps stay near CDG.

Nicole, I do not fly enough to say for sure that 3 hours will be enough at deGaulle, but by all the conventional wisdom it should be. Are there any mobility issues you have not mentioned?

The train delivers you right to the airport and you'll be there packed and ready to proceed at 10:30. You could ask your carrier if that will be enough time. Just don't miss that train!

I fly so much you'd think the devil was on my tail.

Three hours is fine if you're leaving from T2 A-F since the station's right in the middle. Add another half hour if you're using any other terminal.

a few years ago, we stayed in a self-catering flat in Avignon for 3 weeks. the flat was inside the city wall and 10 minutes from the Leclerc supermarche (I wanted to live like a local and cook some meals). Avignon is pretty central - many places to go to around it with easy transportation. we took the bus to pont du gard (roman aqueduct of 2000 yrs ago), nimes, aix and apt; the train to arles; joined a tour to 2 hilltowns les baux and gordes; walked to Villeneuve les Avignon (new Avignon) across the river. and Avignon itself is interesting with a museum, a half-a-bridge, palais des papes, the picnic grounds across the river where one can bring a blanket and lie down among the trees. and there's a local train station outside the city walls which connects to the TGV which could whisk you to paris. I think you will not go wrong in making Avignon your third hub.

Olivia - Thanks for the info about your stay (and the endorsement of the area). I've decided on Avignon. I think I'm going to stay at Chez Micaela which is just outside the historic center but right near the city center train station. That should position me well to travel to the nearby cities and town.

As for my CDG travel question - I do not have any mobility issues, just concern about trying to fit too much travel into that last day. I think I will travel back to Paris the day before, just in case anything might go wrong. Which brings me to a final question...

I know there are hotels right at CDG, but is there another area to stay near by that might provide better atmosphere but still be within easy striking distance of CDG?

Thanks again for all your input.