Suddenly looking at 9-ish days in Provence and looking for itinerary advice - especially about the Luberon area.
Im 2019 I did a week in June quick loop through Provence (with a strong Roman ruin emphasis) and stayed in Vaison-la-Romaine (market day), Arles, Avignon, and Saint-Rémy-de-Provence. Also saw Pont du Gard, theater at Orange, Les Baux-de-Provence (including Carrieres Lumieres van Gogh after also seeing it in Paris), van Gogh asylum and Glanum.
We're now returning for my wife's first visit but she is less interested in ancient Roman stuff than I am. I think she will love Saint-Rémy and the more quaint Luberon vibe so I'm putting together an itinerary for both of us. I preferred Arles to Avignon but I think she might prefer Avignon and it is easier for connections.
My current plan is Paris to Arles:
Arles 2 nights
Avignon 3 nights (Nimes daytrip - Roman and denim museum)
[Rent car Avignon TGV] Saint-Rémy 2 nights (les Baux?)
Luberon (??) 2 nights
It's when we get into the Luberon area - that I haven't visited - that I start to have issues. The vague plan is to choose one to stay at and then travel to a few others via car.
Pont du Gard will not interest her enough to make the time for it and I've seen it. I'm not against revisiting Vaison-la-Romaine as part of a road trip but I don't think I want to stay there versus some place like Saint-Rémy. My impression of Orange going from the train to the theater was not a great one (the theater itself is amazing) but I feel I my have seen the wrong side of it, but I don't feel I know it well enough to add it to the itinerary despite Rick's endorsement.
Anything fabric or fashion related is a plus - I think Nimes will appeal to us both. Otherwise I plan to just explore, do some of the van Gogh themed explorations, hopefully market day once or twice and soak up the Provencal atmosphere. I know we'll be early for lavender but hopefully also fewer tourists as well. I know it is kind of a quick visit to do a bunch of atmosphere soaking but these are the days we have. We might be able to extend a day depending on final flights and Paris plans but otherwise we're pretty set.
All thoughts appreciated,
=Tod