Nice France Cote d'Azur or Burgundy drive from Lyon

Nice's advantage as a base over the smaller coastal towns is that it is a bus hub. If all the places you want to see are on the rail line, there's no reason not to choose a smaller town if you prefer. I'd recommend taking a look at a map and noting the places you intend to visit. If they are mostly east of Nice, it would be best not to choose Antibes (16 to 27 minutes to the west by rail). Trains along the coast are convenient (and popular with pickpockets), but they are not fast. It's a good idea to check Google Maps to see how far a potential hotel is from the local train station if you plan to take a lot of day trips.

My fellow Greg(g),
We have experience in all the above areas. Your choice is not an easy one, given those competing options. What follows is simply our own opinion.
Whatever else Nice is, it def gives access to some quintessential local daytrips, as acraven has rightly pointed out.
St Agnes, Villefranche, Beaulieu, Menton, Saorges, Antibes, Iles de Lerin and more. Whatever the quotient of tourstyness might be here and there, it remains hard to beat that beauty, variety and ease of connection. Might one mention say, Santorini here in this same context?

That being said, Beaune makes a most sympa base, with its own appealing hinterland. If like ourselves, you're interested in wine then Burgundy is bien sur unmissable. Autumn in that area is wonderful, and the possibilities for trying world-class wine are peerless (esp. dry white). The local hiking is very reminiscent of Alsace's equivalent.

I would continue to cast the net ever wider, gathering as much input as possible, then just go with your gut instinct---both of those areas will be there for next time.

Bon Chance!
I am done. The Ggs

I think it really depends on your interests.

Bourgogne is going to be lower key, with wine road tourism and walks. Small villages to small cities. You will explore a lot of it for six days, so you'll be able (or even need) to hit the south region (Macon and the big white wines), north to Dijon and maybe even points east (Jura) and west (Vezelay). In some respects similar to Alsace, but for me, the villages are quite as distinct and cute.

On the Cote d'Azur, you will have the sea but also a wider range of activities and geography, from mountains to islands to mid-size cities. The local cuisine will also distinctly shift.

The cooking styles are different. Burgundy is butter and wine sauces. The Côte is olive oil and vegetables. Does that make a difference?
Terrain: Burgundy is lower, rolling hills, forests, animals in the pasture, canals, green unless there's another heat wave. The Côte is rocky, brown, dry. Laurel, olive, fig, palm trees. The sea and mountains with houses perched on them are beautiful.
Driving: Burgundy has a few autoroutes, a lot of easy two lane roads from town to town. In the thirty years I visited my in-laws there, I never waited in a traffic jam. Dijon or Sens during rush hour is certainly different. The Côte has an amazing autoroute that goes over high bridges and through tunnels. But, you also drive up and down twisty, narrow roads with bikes, trucks, motorcycles, and cars parked in miniscule spaces inches from your side mirrors. Down near the sea, it can get bumper-to-bumper. We've been visiting family there for the last 25 years.

I agree to use a village as a base rather than a city. You can find great deals on car rentals and have freedom of movement with parking lot/car park. I dont know Burgundy well but has loads of history and wine of course. The Auvergne region near Lyon was really nice and big on rugby e.g Clermont ASM. You have volcanic springs and mountains and a nice train ride up the Puy. The French alps never disappoint with many things to do like trails to hike and glaciers. You could also go to Provence (more inland ) rather than the coast and over to Nice. Luberon valley is stunning with ancient medieval towns good Meditterranean French food and pools (will still be warm in Sept). and be sure to check out craft beer and cabaret in Paris! https://theparisshortlist.com/best-craft-beer-in-paris/

I appreciate all the suggestions. Let's say I choose Nice.

What part of Nice do I book a hotel. The weekend I need in September is mostly booked, World Cup I assume. All hotels want non-refundable payments. I found a booking source that allows cancelation. It is a long ways off.
I am looking the West End Hotel on Prom. des Anglais
Or Hotel Victor Hugo or La Maison hotel both near Victor Hugo Blvd.
It is difficult to understand an area and your likes and dislikes without visiting for yourself.
I certainly hope it's not as bad as Santorini. With it cruise ships and busloads of tourists it has become one big tourist trap.
Thanks

We went through the same agonizing task of finding a hotel in Nice last Spring. We wanted something very nice, views, and ease to train station for day trips. But a lot of the "upscale" places either didn't get all that great of reviews or there was just something about it that didn't seem to please. We ended up at Ibis Styles Nice Centre Gare and were very glad we did. It was a very easy walk to the train station (even with luggage) for all the day-tripping, and a easy 10 minute walk to the beach area. The rooms were good size, clean, well appointed, and the staff excellent. The also had a great breakfast. We were not disappointed, and if we return to Nice will definitely book there again. Nice was an excellent base for Cannes, Antibes, and all the great options to the East, including Menton, Monaco, St Paul de Vence, Eze, Villafranch Sur Mer, Ventimiglia Italy, so many options. Even on rainy days (which we had), it was easy. Also Nice has so many great options on dining. We too love small villages, but Nice did not disappoint.

Greg, thank you for the thread! We also will be in Nice in September and I didn’t know about the World Cup!

I stay in cheap hotels so have no recommendations for you. I think I recall, though, that Rick sort of warns about infrastructure issues at hotels in the Old Town. He seemed to be suggesting visitors consider more modern places elsewhere in the city. That stuck with me, because we all know Rick likes the atmospheric old-style places. I no longer have a copy of the guide to France, so I cannot verify what I think I remember.