Need help settling on France itinerary

I would go with option 1 but cut one day from Paris and add to Provence.

I like Matt's suggestions. Rome2Rio shows 7 hour train ride from Chamonix to St. Remy. We have LOVED Provence, but last year got to Chamonix on RS My Way Alpine. This was the town that I wasn't expecting much from, and we just loved it! SO I'd hate to give that part of the itinerary up! So many towns and markets to see in Provence. SO I go with Matt! If in Nice, try to get to Villefranche Sur Mer, We have stayed there twice when flying into Nice, and getting up to Provence.

Welcome!

I count 13 nights which equals 12 days.

I'm concerned it will be too much travel/transit time if we go to
Chamonix,

IMO it would be.
Have you worked out transportation to/from Chamonix? It’s at least a half day journey with multiple changes from Paris and then same to Avignon (I assume) where you would pick up car to drive to St-Remy.
A 2 night stay is just 1 full day in a location. Consider how much time that really gives you in Chamonix-is it worth the travel time to get there and from there?
Just 2 nights in St-Remy is not really time for much either- just another location change.

Can you pick up a car in Chamonix? Lots more driving but maybe less travel time.
Only you can decide how much driving/travel time you want to spend on your 12 days in France.

Rome2Rio shows 7 hour train ride from Chamonix to St. Remy.

St-Remy doesn’t have a train station (or any car rental agencies).

I would pick Option 2- but take a night from Paris and give to Nice.

Paris 5
Train to Avignon- pick up car
St-Remy 4
Drop car Avignon- train to Nice (or drop car in Nice)
Nice 4

If Paris 6 nights can't be changed then I would pick either Chamonix or St-Remy for 3 nights. .
Figure out how you will use your time in each- just doesn't feel like 2 nights/1 full day would be enough to justify travel time.
And give Nice 4 nights.

Addie,
Option 2 gives you 6 nights in Paris (7/16 through 7/21), so 5 1/2 days. 7/22 is a travel day, so just part of that day in Provence. 4 nights in Provence (7/22 through 7/25) is 3 1/2 days. Finally, after a travel day on 7/26, with a half day in Nice, you have 3 nights (7/26 through 7/28), so 2 1/2 days in Nice, leaving on the 29th.
You may wish to take one day from Paris and add it to Nice or whoever you plan on staying in Provence.
Adding in Chamonix is just too much time spent in transit.

yes going to Chamonix is not really on the way and you will lose some time (Chamonix is lovely at this time of the year but you might need more time also maybe also visit Switzerland and Annecy while around and fly out of Geneva, maybe another time?)
One crazy thought, from Chamonix you could drive to Nice via Italy (maybe even visit 5 terre or Portofino) but not convenient if you are flying out there and need to go to Provence first

Thank you for your thoughts and for taking the time to respond! One suggestion several of you mention is decreasing or time in Paris by one day and adding it to the rest of the trip, so I am going to look at doing that today. Warm regards, Merci!

We just came back from Provence/Cote d'Azur, and I suggest that even with option 2 you're hitting too many destinations with too little time. Out itinerary (including unlisted day trips) was:
1) Nice 4/8-4/12
Rent car
2) Provence 4/13-4/18
2a) Moustiers 4/13-4/14
2b) St. Remy 4/14-4/16
2c) L'Isle-sur-la-Sorgue 4/16-4/18
(We drove on to Spain from there, but that's a different topic.)
We could easily have spent more time (with more day trips) in all locations.

Edit: If you plan to drive a lot in the Provence countryside on assorted D and lesser roads (which I highly recommend), do not rely on Google Maps to be accurate. Expect gated roads, non-existent roads, wrong turns, etc. Not a big deal. and it's all part of the experience; just don't be surprised when it happens.

Hi Addie,
Maybe consider just Paris and Aix period?
I am done. The end.

hey hey addiez237
welcome to the forum
my own opinion is you are planning tooooooo much in your short days. where are you flying in from (USA, Canada, european country?) what time do you arrive on the 16th? that really is a "lost" day, land with how many other planes, getting through immigration/passport/getting baggage, getting to a taxi ( E56 or E65) to take you to hotel or private ride? make sure they take credit cards, if not wait for one that does or have cash euros), accept 4 people and luggage (pack light), where's your hotel? check-in times 3-4pm check-out times 10-11am, first day is jet lag which may just be a roam around/relax day.
not knowing what attractions/activities you're planning to see and do, make sure you have reserved them direct from website. you are traveling during high high summer season, HOT, with crowds everywhere. be prepared. make reservations for restaurants, many close during afternoon hours and open 7pm and later.
i would drop chamonix, it's outta the way that takes so much travel time that you really don't have or want with more time either driving or trains. several years ago we were in hotel near gare de lyon train station, walked to station got snacks and boarded for our trip to annecy. from station hotel to annecy hotel taxi to our apt was about 5 hours. guessing to chamonix would be another 2 hours. do that on another trip.
trains are city center to city center, so easy. having a car is a PITA, trying to follow maps, parking is slim to none, lots are further away than you think/want, do you need an IDP for each driver in a different country (internationaltravelpermits.com) (aaa.com/IDP).
read about rules /laws about driving, parking, ZTL's (no driving in city centers), how big a car for you 4 and luggage, insurance. some rentals shops may not ask but if stopped for any reason the popo may ask, be safe than sorry if they give you a ticket to pay right on the spot. lots of changes with travel in europe nowdays with thousands & thousands traveling the same places you're planning. doesn't seem to be a low season anymore, many big cities are busy all year long.
take train to provence and rent car down there. pay attention to hours car rentals are open, some 1/2 day saturdays and closed sundays.
been about 4-5 times to paris, BFF is french basque and her favorite city is paris. been to many places around the city, we both have some mobility issues and have just grabbrd a cab which was good for us. found out of the way restaurants instead of many popular ones mentioned here. my go to was to eat crepes and souffles (lesouffle.fr, le recaimer, la cuisine de philippe) plus on a mission for french onion soup and eclairs. it was a fun time
o-chateau.com
did wine tasting, champagne cruise on the seine (private lounge at front of boat, tasting 3 champagnes with an "oh la la" sommelier
cruising down the seine to see the attractions along the way.
drop car off in provence and take train to nice so no hassles/stress. your last day, may 29, is morning duties, breakfast, check out get to train/airport for flight home. enjoy the few days you have in nice to roam, have fun. another hint we did was grab some food/meal for flight back. hope this gives you some ideas, have your kids help with research. we did couple columns: must sees, ok if time, no time. keep track of days/times places open. good luck
aloha